SEVERE Constipation...TMI, please advise. Kinda long.

Okay ladies, I've been struggling with constipation since I found out I'm pg.  I have had only 2, yes 2, genuine bowel movements in the last 2 months.  The first time around, I wasn't thinking about my pooping that much when I suddenly started having severe waves of cramps in my lower abdomen.  I thought I was having a m/c, but then I realized that I couldn't remember having a BM for the previous 3 weeks.  After a couple hours of the cramping, then 30 minutes of vomiting, I had a HUGE BM...about enough for 5 BMs.  I thought I was dying.

So, I set out on a mission to never let this happen again.  I spoke to my docs and they told me to take colace, so I took it for 2 weeks, upped my fluid intake...no BM.  Then I took MoM...no BM.  then a friend suggested suppositories.  So I tried that and I would go a tiny bit each time and it provided a little relief, but I know there's stuff backed up in there.  Now, here I sit, having gone 4 weeks since having a significant BM and the cramping, though not as intense as before, has been going on all day.  

I don't know what else to do!  I'm at my wits end with this and the last episode was so painful and awful.  This is not normal and my docs just say to keep taking colace and drinking more fluids.  I stay dehydrated because I've been having the almost-black-outs when I stand up since about 3 months out from surgery.  Please, please, if you have any ideas...

Ok... so no one really wants to give themselves an Enema, but I would say it's time. Yes, it's awkward... and gross, but really not any grosser in my book than suppositories.

I've had to use them a couple of times in the past due to severe constipation and let me tell you... sooner rather than later. Impaction is not pretty.

So it's safe for us then?  I mean as far as inducing contractions?

I have had to twice this pregnancy... you could check with your dr or pharmacist. They make ones called a soap emema which is literally that... soap which helps not as much as the laxative ones but it does help.

I don't think the risk for contractions is any worse than sex. ::shrugs:: but then again... it's best to check.

I'm gonna do it...another of my pg friends has had to do it too.  Thanks for your responses!  

I deal with the same thing you do every time I'm pregnant (currently 14 weeks and have a 6 month old).  Honestly, the only thing that even remotely works for me is tons of fluids (which I find impossible), Miralax, and every other day suppositories to help move things out.  My Dr approved Miralax, but every Dr is different so ask yours.  The first week or two will be rough even, but once you can get things moving slightly more regularly it should get better.  Don't let this go on too long though...trust me.

-Jennifer

i 2nd the enema... have you made your self dump? that usually does the trick for me... also coffee..

I tried that one...the only thing that makes me run is JELL-O SF pudding.  I got some and it just gave me a bad stomach ache for an hour or so...no runs.  :(  I'm doing the enema tonight.

I ended up in ER due to same issues, and it is not something you want to let go on much longer. I would suggest adding miralax, or benefiber to your drinks at least twice a day. The suppositories I got were prescription strength and i have to use twice a day, has helped a bit so far. I would say you should get seen soon, and have a doctor prescribe something that is safe for you and baby because its possible your OB isn't aware of the RNY risks of impaction/obstruction....I know mine wasn' until I told him!

That's true...I also don't think my OB understands our dehydration....he told me that it's impossible to become dehydrated if I'm drinking fluids and I'm not vomiting or having the runs.  Is there a reason why we get so dehydrated so easily?  I never used to have to drink so much pre-op.