Safe Natural Constipation Relief?? « Back to Group Discussions

[activealli]

I was doing great until I hit the 3rd trimester. I already follow all of the "usual" recommendations. I am a whole food vegetarian with strong vegan and GF tendencies. I eat a TON of fiber, mostly in the form of fruits, veggies, salad, beans, and so on. Right now with the warm weather we are having I am eating mostly salad meals. I am drinking plenty of fluids. Drinking kombucha for probiotics. I have also been drinking prune juice mixed with an all natural berry juice (cant stand the taste of it!). I drink a fiber/probiotic green smoothie every morning. Sooooo.... is there anything I can take that is natural that is safe. I wouldnt take any OTC laxative, but more like something you would see at a natural food/supplement store. EVERYTHING says "ask a dr if you are pregnant" but most obs and even midwives arent sure on the natural type of supplements.

Any recommendations? Teas? Concotions? I have very little tolerance for constipation, especially when pregnant. DRIVES ME NUTS!

Thanks!

[judybean]

Well, if you're in need of iron too, Floradix actuality seems to help me keep pretty regular... byt if your iron is good, I wouldn't take more. Otherwise, the Natural Calm (calcium/magnesium supplement), especially if taken on the higher end of dosage, is very effective!

[Carlin]

I second the recommendation of a magnesium supplement. Natural Calm is great and tastes reasonable. You can use Epsom Salts too, and I've even heard that having a bath with Epsom Salts can sometimes help. And of course make sure you are drinking even more water than normal until things get regular again.

[MIrandaM]

I third the magnesium suggestion.  I have some packets that you mix with water, my midwife suggested them just for supplement sake, not for constipation, but they serve both purposes. :)
 

[mole]

A friend who is vegan, eats primarily whole foods, very good diet, was plagued with constipation during her pregnancy, too. What worked for her was psyllium husks. She would mix them up in water and drink the slurry. 

[JuicyPakwan]

Glycerine Suppositories are very safe and pretty quick also.  I have struggled with that this pregnancy and I second the calc mag but if it is ever more than what that works for I use the suppositories not very fun but very effective.  For me psylium creates a worse problem, although nonpregnant it works great for me.

[hyde]

So frustrating, when you're doing everything 'right' and still dealing with this. :\ Good suggestions so far. I'll add that coconut oil tends to have the, er, desired effect, especially when you're not used to it, so it might be worth it to integrate it into your cooking if you haven't already. You can actually eat it straight, too- maybe a teaspoon to start? A tbsp might be too much if it's new.

[Worldshakerz]

I also have great success with magnesium. I use the Natural Calm magnesium also, it has a little flavor with stevia added and its good cold or warm. Coconut oil also works well, and I agree you won't need much if its not already part of your regular diet.

[activealli]

Thanks so much everyone! Going to run to the local natural foods store and pick up more kombucha and some of the natural calm supplement. I do drink coconut milk beverage, and use coconut oil for cooking, but ill add taking a teaspoon straight.

[wendipauline]

I have struggled with constipation for years, and was pretty nervous about how bad it would be during this pregnancy, but thanks to the floradix and natural calm, I'm more regular than I have ever been in my life. Hope you get relief soon!

[activealli]

ok so i picked up some calcium magnesium liquid (i dont do well with fizzy powders... like airborne and emergen-c so I figured the same would go for the fizzy powders) and Im going to take some today. Which floradix is everyone talking about? There are a TON of varieties on amazon.

thanks

[calpurnia7]

I am starting to be in the same boat.  A couple of weeks ago I completely changed my diet - much healthier, cleaner, and beanier - and it was working wonders, but now things are slowing down again.  I've found a couple of tricks:

-Squatting: been doing that anyway for my Bradley workouts, but I'm doing more, and they seem to help move everything downward

-Coffee: a good old fashioned cuppa joe, if you're not opposed to a little caffeine, can really help (I get the good stuff from Whole Foods)

-Pelvic rocks: they seem to help a little bit, I think they relax my back muscles, which in turns allows things to pass on down

-MORE water: because it's getting hotter, natch

-You're so healthy you probably eat these anyway, but chia seeds really help me.  I put them in my oatmeal and I'm more successful on days I have my oatmeal with chia breakfast than the days I don't.

-Lower back rub from DH or another loved one

[Virginia Mom]

What about Flax Oil? I usually squirt a bit mixed with juice or in my kids yogurt...and like magic, with in ten minutes, it's time to visit the pottie! My DS loves the stuff mixed with grape juice....go figure!

[judybean]

Just ftr, but the Natural Calm isn't fizzy when you drink it. When you mix it with the hot water initially it fizzes, but just dissolves into a straightforward liquid like a clear koolaid or something.

[dmpkmom]

I second the cup of coffee..I drink just quarter of a strong cup of coffee every other day..does the trick. But also..hot liquid....post partum I did 4 cups of hot water (like hot enough to be hot but not so hot to burn even a little) w/ a teaspoon of salt. That also worked..you do it on an empty stomach.