Constipation!!!!!

[mummato3]

Ok, I know this isnt the most savoury of topics, but I am sooooo constipated, I feel like im about to self combust!!!! Have tried pr unes, Normocol, I drink HEAPS of water and always try to choose high fibre everything! Anyone else got any suggestions?? Hubby says I should get off my bum and go for a walk around the block, but we all know first trimester leaves you lacking in the energy department
Thanks ladies

[Dr. Tal]

I think I have to side with your DH on this one. Going for a walk may actually help. And it may help you with your energy levels too (a decent paced walk, not some powerwalk see how fast you can get it done pace).

When you're pregnant your body produces a whole heap of hormones (these can be blamed for just about everything that happens to you during pregnancy). The role of some of these hormones is to relax ligaments and muscles to allow your bones and muscles and whatnot to move to accommodate the growing baby. A side effect of this is that it slows down a lot of your involuntary muscle movement. (think Acid reflux and constipation) In your intestine, this muscle movement is what causes your poo to move through and eventually out. The longer your poo is in your intestine the more water your body absorbs out of it and conseuently the harder it gets....hence constipation.
When you go for a walk, the movement of your body can help push your poo artificially through your intestine, so it can actually help with constipation (not all the time, depends on how constipated you are, but it certainly couldn't hurt to try).

[MumtoA]

heya there,

i was the same in my first tri...and now again in my last...!

my ob told me that i could take Metamucil...i didnt as it never got that bad but apparently it is ok to use...

good luck!

[minimatron]

Yep...its happening now for me and it happened in my previous pregnancies. Loads of water, All Bran for breakfast each day, walking and you can either use metamucil or coloxyl. Good luck

[*Infinity*]

The vitamin supplement I was taking was the source of my problem. The iron was making me really constipated. So much that I actually stopped taking the supplements and just took plain old folate. Worked a treat. Plus lots of water anyway helps too.

[brydz]

I have not had such a thing yet.
in fact i'm experiencing the opposite. i am going more regularly, 3 or 4 times a day.

the only difference is the colour of my deposits has changed (sorry if TMI) because of the iron in the vitamin tablets i assume.

[mummato3]

thanks everyone for your replys...still plugging away...literally LOL Once this nausea settles, I am sure I will be more motivated to exercise!

[Cherished]

Buy an enema kit from a health food store, eat bran for breakfast with fresh LSA on the top and add flaxseed oil to your smoothies and salads

[Mr Donkey]

and drink prune juice

[mummato3]

the enema is probably not a bad idea..although bran gives me bloating and gas. Are enemas ok during first trimester?

[Cherished]

Mr Donkey Prune juice is wonderful, that would do the job instead of bran

enemas are fine in the 1st tri, you will read conflicting advise on this but I have done them before. You only need a little squirt to get things moving and it will also hydrate you if you have a few goes, that part is particularly good if you have been vomiting heaps and need to keep your fluids up.