Constipation... pregnancy?

Question

I have some problems with constipation even when I was not pregnant but it gets worst now that I'm pregnant. Can anyone recommend anything to eat or drink or take to help me with this problem... I know I have to tell my doctor about this...But I want to hear some views to some ladies who have the same problem. Thanks.

Answer 1

I have the same problem. Here's what to eat to help, all of which are very very good for you and the baby: vegetables and fruits, 100 percent whole grains, dried beans, and nuts. Drinking lots of water and choosing the right foods are so much better for you than taking stool softeners and fiber supplements, which are much harder on your body.

Here are some good sources of high fiber:

banananas
oranges, graperfruit, clementines
apples with the skin on it
most any other fresh whole fruit (not dried, not juice)
almost all vegetables, particularly broccoli, asparagus, green beans, etc.
raisin bran or bran flakes (other high fiber or whole grain cereals)
enriched soy milk
all-natural peanut butter
nuts
oatmeal
popcorn
100 percent whole grain bread (not white bread)
100 percent whole grain english muffins
whole grain pasta (not white pasta)
whole-grain tortillas
brown rice (not white rice)
baked potato with the skin on it
veggie burgers (Boca or Morningstar Farms)
Morningstar Farms soy breakfast patties
black beans, pinto beans, chick peas, etc
avocado, guacamole

also, drink lots and lots of water!!!

Answer 2

Be there, done that! First, when you tell your doctor you must impress upon him or her that it is bad and that you had this problem before you got pregnant. Most OBs and other docs don't consider constipation that big a deal and it can be really bad.

I tried all of these, but they didn't work well. They're worth a try, though, since we're all different. Prune juice, warm works better. Prunes. Plenty of water. Lemon in the water promotes bile function, which is part of the process. Whole grains like bran. Stool softeners. I was told that I might have to resort to taking Milk of Magnesia every three days or so and I was already up to three of those shot glasses! Benefiber is helpful and you can take it often.

The thing that really worked for me, and the only thing that really worked, was mega doses of calcium. like 1200 to 1400 mgs. a day. That amount of calcium can't be absorbed by the body so it moves through it, if you catch my meaning. It really was a life saver. In retrospect, I would have contacted my gastroenterologist and gotten help there. He's got prescription stuff that could have helped even during pregnancy but I had "pregnant brain" pretty good and I never thought of it. lol Good luck!

Answer 3

Even though it was a little over 37 years ago since I was pregnant, I remember the constipation as though it was yesterday. My doctor at the time, told me to get a little fiber in my diet, drink lots of water and walk, walk, walk.

Be sure to let your doctor know though as soon as possible. There could be another problem causing this.

It is however normal to be constipated during pregnancy.

Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 4

I've been taking Milk of Magnesia, Metamucil, drinking a lot of water, and eating a high fiber diet. I'm also not taking any iron, yet, because I'm still so constipated. I've had to supplement the iron in the pills for iron in greens (spinach, broccoli, and turnip greens) so that I can go.

I'll be watching your answers on this one. There has to be SOMETHING out there that will make one really GO.

Answer 5

I am 34 weeks pregnant and never faced the problem of constipation.I have been very careful from the beginning.Try what i did. eat lots of fruits and vegetables, brown bread instead of white, museli instead of corn flakes and drink atleast two and half litres of water everyday. Make it a routine to eat lots of fibre everyday as that'll keep fibre levels up in ur body which keep ur stomach clear.Avoid coffee and other carbonated drinks as they take away moisture from ur body leading to constipation. Go for a walk everyday.This will surely work for you! All the best.

Answer 6

It happened to me in my first pregnancy I drank a lot of prune juice. You are going to have to tell your doctor because you being pregnant you don't have a variety of meds to take with the constipation. My best friend was pregnant not too long ago and she ate a lot of fiber and it helped her. Good luck

Answer 7

You can always try Raisin Bran, anything with alot of fiber, raisins, bran, veggies, etc., will help with constipation. Also remember to drink lots and lots of water, but stay away from any constipation meds as they can make food/nutrients pass through your system to fast so then you wouldnt be able to get the needed nutrients, etc out of them for you and your growning baby.. Good luck!

Answer 8

My doctor had me take colace stool softener and I drank prune juice and ate lots of fiber and greens that helped me. By the end of my pregnancy I was very constipated.

Answer 9

I contacted my doctor about this recently.

I was told to increase my fiber intake in foods I eat, increase water intake, and to go ahead and try a fiber supplement (Metamucil, BeneFiber, etc.)

Answer 10

I am now taking a lower Iron prenatle vitamin and I put extra fiber into my diet, also more liquids. It all seemed to help when used all together. I hope it brings you relief. Good luck.