constipated « Back to Group Discussions

[lisalili]

its been 13 days since I had a bm and I feel terrible!  so bloated that I already look 4 mo. pregnant.  I know stimulant laxatives are bad, but does anyone have any info

on whether enemas are safe?

[CookAMH]

I don't know about enemas.

A good mineral to be sufficient in is Magnesium. The easiest way for you to start would probably be Natural Calm magnesium powder (fizzy, pleasant flavor) to build your stores. It will help in SO MANY ways with pregnancy, and most people are deficient. Having enough magnesium will allow for easy bowel movements.

Once you get going with powder, check out this post about magnesium deficiency. http://www.cheeseslave.com/are-you-suffering-from-magnesium-deficiency/ I currently supplement through transdermal spray, and I just got liquid Magnesium. It's helped immensely with morning sickness and fatigue!

[deborahbgkelly]

You can also take Colace. My docs told me it was okay. If you want something easier, use grapes, avocados, etc. I would stay away from prunes and things like that right now. One of the nurses at the clinic said to wait until you are regular to use prunes and extra fiber because it can make gas buildup worse.

[swissmiss2584]

My midwife let me use natural suppositories to help things along. I suggest chia pudding. That always gets me going.

Chia Pudding

1/3 cup chia seeds
2 cups milk of choice
15 drops liquid vanilla stevia (optional)

Mix well, let set 5 minutes. Mix again, let set 10 minutes. Mix again and then chill for at least 30 mins. One hour is better. Enjoy with sliced fruit. It's good when made with chocolate milk too.

[chispita]

13 days is long time, might be time to bring in the big guns (prunes, or laxatives [though for me prune juice works better than laxatives]), though check with your care provider first!

[CookAMH]

One pretty easy way to move things along is to take a bunch of vitamin C. If you are otherwise healthy, your body won't need much of it, and reaching bowel tolerance is a way to know how much C you need. So if you take a lot, and your body doesn't need it, it'll loosen you up within a day. You could take 8,000mg (8 of the 1,000mg capsules) to start.

[cmu204]

Fish oil capsules have done the trick for me; flaxseed oil is a good option if one is vegetarian.

[joanatron]

I am also super constipated, but I've only allowed myself to go 2 days before acting.  I do PGX daily which helps a little.  I eat lots of raisins daily.  I take Traditional Medicine herbal Laxative tea at night if I haven't had a BM that day (steeped for 20 mins or simmered for 10), and I do enemas when I feel like I've got some remnants left inside.  I've done 4 in the past 6 weeks.  I'd say the laxative tea is the most effective.  

[splath]

Originally Posted by swissmiss2584 

My midwife let me use natural suppositories to help things along. I suggest chia pudding. That always gets me going.

Chia Pudding

1/3 cup chia seeds
2 cups milk of choice
15 drops liquid vanilla stevia (optional)

Mix well, let set 5 minutes. Mix again, let set 10 minutes. Mix again and then chill for at least 30 mins. One hour is better. Enjoy with sliced fruit. It's good when made with chocolate milk too.

We eat this for breakfast, but I add maple syrup instead of stevia and often add cocoa powder.  If it's not thick enough to eat as pudding, I mix in some oat flour to thicken it.  My kids won't eat oatmeal, but LOVE this.

[splath]

Originally Posted by CookAMH 

I don't know about enemas.

A good mineral to be sufficient in is Magnesium. The easiest way for you to start would probably be Natural Calm magnesium powder (fizzy, pleasant flavor) to build your stores. It will help in SO MANY ways with pregnancy, and most people are deficient. Having enough magnesium will allow for easy bowel movements.

Once you get going with powder, check out this post about magnesium deficiency. http://www.cheeseslave.com/are-you-suffering-from-magnesium-deficiency/ I currently supplement through transdermal spray, and I just got liquid Magnesium. It's helped immensely with morning sickness and fatigue!

 yes this.  Magnesium will get you going and is safe to take!

My midwife says no laxatives at all, not even senna.  It can cause cramping and uterine contractions, as well as dehydration.

[haurelia]

Ohhhh, the constipation was dreadful 'round here last week.  I finally had some relief today after multiple days w/out "movement."   Popcorn, rhubarb, psyllium husks, chia seeds, extra water/hot water with lemon, etc. I was verging on getting some glycerin suppositories! Glad I didn't have to go there. ;)

Going to keep on top of things from now on with loads more fiber (now that I feel like I can eat a little bit without misery), extra magnesium and more and more fluid (I feel sloshy some days!). 

An OB I work with recommended Miralax as a safe option in pregnancy, because it's osmotic rather than stimulant and has very little systemic absorption because it all acts locally in the bowel to attract more water.  You have to drink extra when taking it.   I'm keeping that that in my back pocket for now, in case things got extreme.  I'd stay away from any stimulant laxatives or enemas, personally. 

[aidenn]

I agree with Miralax being okay in pregnancy, but it just made me feel sickly without moving anything. I ended up trying a few different things and then using the glycerin suppositories. I would stay away from enemas if you can.

Other options to try are: popcorn, applesauce, Colace, milk of magnesia.

[chispita]

Prunes!

I had a really bad constipation episode a few years back (not pregnancy related - so I didn't have to be cautious about what I took), and prune juice was the one thing that finally worked after trying several other things (castor oil, milk of magnesia, and some other OTC laxative).

Though I gotta say that I've been trying to eat a couple of dried prunes daily, and I can't really notice a difference - still constipated 

[rrs]

Fluids and natural fiber.  I've added Colace and magnesium because the Zofran is so constipating (and because I'm having a tough time with fluids and fiber :)), and it seems to be working