Constipation!

[hayles07]

I am about 6 weeks pregnant and for the past few days I've been constipated, I think! Not totally but still constipated. It's not overly painful, just a feeling of pressure but 80% of the time, nothing happens.. Sorry, TMI perhaps!

Is this normal? I never got constipated at all with DS so this is all new to me. I've been trying to drink lots and lots of water and eat foods high in fibre but it doesn't seem to be helping. Any suggestions?

[Taurean]

Very normal! It's often your pregnancy vitamins that cause constipation but pregnancy can also play havoc on your bowels.

Try to keep your fluid levels up (aim for 2ltrs of water a day), get some exercise if you can and keep your fibre up. I highly recommend Metamucil once a day. I suffer from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) so my bowels are ordinary at the best of times and pregnancy has really made it worse but Metamucil has been my saviour. If I miss it one day, I really notice a big difference.

If you can't stand the drink, try the Metamucil tablets or Benafil could be a good substitute too. You can get all of them at the supermarket, chemist or Priceline.

Best of luck and I hope things getting moving down there soon!

[hayles07]

Thanks for that!

I have been taking pregnancy vitamins for the past 2 weeks so it could have something to do with that. I was wondering about metumucil but wasn't sure it was safe or not. Going to head to the shops and get some this afternoon. Hopefully it does the trick.

Thanks once again.

[Taurean]

Thanks for that!

I have been taking pregnancy vitamins for the past 2 weeks so it could have something to do with that. I was wondering about metumucil but wasn't sure it was safe or not. Going to head to the shops and get some this afternoon. Hopefully it does the trick.

Thanks once again.

No probs! Metamucil is completely safe during pregnancy. I hope it helps!

[Melbournemumma]

Hey.

I too have suffered from constipation throughout my pregnancy and when I tried metamucil I found it didn't really help so my Ob recommended Normafibe. It's a little harder to take as it's in granules and you have to swallow them whole, but it has worked wonders for me! I drink lots and lots of water, always have and I know that helps too, but I have to take the fibre once a day or I get clogged up.

Hope this helps

[Lee]

I'm 8.5 weeks pregnant and I, too, have had bad constipation!! My cure was to eat one orange, go for a long walk, then half a dozen licorice pieces!! Totally did the trick!! Good luck - I feel like a new woman!!