A little worried

Hi All,

So I know I have posted on here a couple times about the joys of my wonderful constipation issues. Well, they went away for a while (which was glorious). And now they're back and worse than ever. Having dealt with this so much during this pregnancy, I know what I need to do (let's just say I am taking A LOT of stuff to try and clean out). The thing that has me concerend is that, this time around, I have pain every time I eat. The only thing that relieves the pain is a hot shower (not really sure why, prob cuz it helps me relax). But because of the severity of the pain, I don't want to eat (I mean, I WANT to eat, believe me!). I am concerned about getting enough calories. Right now I am only really able to eat soup with no chunks (so creamy soup or broth) and some really loose oatmeal, applesauce etc. None of these things are high enough in calories to get the baby what she needs. OK, so she's already almost 7 pounds so it's prob not a big deal, I just wanted to ask any of you if you've had this kind of pain and what you've done about it to get the calories in.

Sorry for the novel about poo 

Tina

P.S. They checke my gallbladder yesterday to be sure that wasn't the problem and everything there came back clean. I was almost hoping that it wouldn't so I could have an explanation (besides pregnancy) why things were so bad.

Good luck Tina. That's all I can say.

Sugar Alcohols usually do it.  If not have you been okay'd to try Mirlax?  Good luck- I understand the issue well from two pregnancies.
-Jenn-

Ugh there's nothing worse than not being able to go and not being able to eat because you're backed up.. Have you tried glycerin suppositories?  I know they're not fun but they help.. I also tried and liked the Dulcolax stool softener - do not mix it up with the Dulcolax laxative - they are two different products... the laxative is very "violent" - well it is for me anyway but the stool softener didn't make me feel gross and after 3 pills, I went like a charm.. Once I fixed my "backlog" - pardon the pun -, I made sure to eat fresh blueberries and strawberries and raspberries everyday, even if only a little handful, to get that extra fibre in... Good luck!!

If full liquids and puree are all you can get in then put some protein powder in them, tsp at a time to keep the cals and nutrients up.  Try Ensure or Carnation Instant Breakfasts (that tended to loosen my bowels too).  Take a piece of chicken and chicken noodle soup and blend it to full liquid; every little bit helps and the warm liquids should move on through fairly easily.  Anybody check you for a partial bowel obstruction, maybe the baby is pushing or restricting the movement of the bowel?  If you start throwing up or can't keep down water, definately have them check you for that at an ER asap.

Ok, I work in healthcare so... I deal with poop and poop problems alot.... that being said. I was not above (making my husband) give me an Enema (since I was too pregnant to take care of it myself) while I was pregnant with Tristan. With my second miscarriage I ended up impacted and trust me, I'll never go through that again. Suppositories, Enemas, laxatives, prune juice, these things are your friends- not ones we really want all of the time, but a neccessity. Enema's suck and are embarassing, but do the job. Don't let yourself get impacted... it can eventually lead to sepsis and surgical intervention in extreme cases.

As for the calories, I'd take normal soup and puree it that way you get the full calories of the soup, just pureed.

Good luck!

I think I would definitely let my OB doctor know if it is becoming a issue that you can't eat solid food.  I would also let my WLS surgeon know too, in case he has any suggestions on what to do.  A partial bowel obstruction is possible, as someone already suggested.  But I think if your intake is being suppressed because of it, you need to be seen.

Just my opinion, update us when you can

Lucy