Constipation & Major Abdominal Pain..

[Bevsy]

I have probably spent more time reading all your posts but would appreciate any advice you ladies can offer..

I appreciate that we can suffer with constipation during pregnancy but I am starting to get a bit worried now..

At about 11 weeks i woke in the night with horrendus ab pains, really low down, rather like across the line of the top of your knickers. It was so bad i was doubled up in pain crying and had to wake OH. He was great and as there was no blood we waited for morning and went to Dr. He said 'bowels not functioning' and womb fine.. lasted a couple of days. It edged off but two days later i was doubled over again (despite having had a poo).. Worse pain this time and signed off for a week to rest.

At 14 weeks the same happened again, severe pain. As I had a miscarriage at xmas I was worried.. Again, bowels to blame and given Lactulose to take. which I have been taking.

I did too much at work last week and suffered for it at the weekend.. then early hours monday woke in night with severe pain, in tears, thinking i am going to die .. or that baby is not right.. etc did not go to DR as he will only say same as last time.

Does anyone else have it this bad.. I am getting very worried as I hardly drive, walk, even sit at the moment- it is just so painful.

Surely constipation cannot cause so much pain.. do I have this until Dec?
Bevsy

 

[budge]

are you drinking plenty and eating enough fibre providing foods such as weetabix and whole meal bread?

id definately talk to my midwife about it if it were happening to me. it doesn't sound right. you shouldn'rt be straining on the toilet at any time especially when you're pregnant though

 

[Lyndsey]

This happened to me a few weeks ago. The pain was so intense I thought I was going into labour!!!!!! I have spoken to the midwife about it and here are the things she suggested

Eat bran in the mornings _ weetabix is ok... but if you can stomach it all bran or shredded weat is better.

Eat loads of fruit and drink fruit juice

Eat wholemeal bread with bits in

Drink at least 2 litres of water a day - but in this heat try and make it 3!

Keep active - moving around helps the bowel to function and encourages peristalsis ( this is the posh word for small contractions that move the poo out!)

Take fibogel if you need it but with all the other things you should find that you are fine

I have been doing all the above and I have found that I have kind of returned to normal. I used to go at least once per day now I am going every other day ( TMI!!) But if I let it go any longer than this then I am in trouble. Make sure you are aware of how often you are going. Good old fashioned prunes in juice are great if you think you haven't gone in a while and want to avoid the pains.....

Hope this helps!

Lyndsey

 

[skatty]

I was a bit constipated I have started eating bran flakes in the morning and drinking orange juce and now I go a couple of times a day!

 

[lauramumof2]

It sounds like constipation and wind. I take iron and OMG it makes me go like nobodys business.
I hope it starts to ease off.

 

[mdsremos]

I went through this until about 18-20 weeks as it was thought by my GP that the baby was growing sideways at the time and putting pressure on my bowels which caused alot of pain. Sometimes I wouldnt be able to stand up straight it was that bad and would come in waves of pain!
Things settled down on their own eventually although I did take the lactulose (YUCK!!) and upped my water intake..ice cold water actually became a craving in the end which wasnt a bad thing and may have actually helped.

If your very worried could you not ask for a scan to settle your mind????

 

[ToriElla]

are you drinking plenty and eating enough fibre providing foods such as weetabix and whole meal bread?

stop advertising weetabix budge haha

yeh i agree with what everyone else said - food with plenty of fibre and lots of water! xx

 

[Jaidy]

Lots of fresh orange juice works wonders for keeping your bowels healthy, lovely stuff, sometimes I drink a little bit TOO much tho if you get me....

 

[Bevsy]

Thanks so much for all your replies.. Unfortunately I have tried everything going for constipation and despite being able to empty my bowels the pain seems to be getting worse.
I left messages on my midwife's answerphone, mob and work. Not back on til monday. Phoned the DR this afternoon and she says she will chat to the midwife's in the morning and get back to me..
One minute i think it's fine and just constipation but the next I am worried sick.. anyhow, I had a couple of spots of blood yesterday so will be pushing this for as many checkups as I can get..
Selling our house at the moment so never easy..
My 20 week scan is next week so i may get it early i hope.. even to hear the heartbeat would be good.
The human body is certainly a mystery- especially the female one!
Thanks ladies and hope you are all well.
xx