any suggestions?

[newjeans]

Im wondering how those of you who have done LC while pregnant stay "regular"? I eat lots of fiber but that does not help me- actually, fiber seems to have no effect on my regularity even while not pregnant. Usually to stay regular while im doing LC I have to keep my fats high (usually around 70g), regardless of the amount of fiber i eat. And that seems to work fine. But, being pregnant has realllllly slown down my "pipes"....im eating the fats, im eating the fiber, im taking a full dose daily of colace and im STILL constipated. I also drink at least a gallon of water a day. Any suggestions?

[lisaz8605]

Wow, you're doing all the things I would've suggested. I'm kind of stumped! I guess the two other things I'd ask about are 1) are you taking pre-natals and are they WITH Iron, because if so that can do a number on you, and 2) are you exercising? That has been known to "keep things moving"

That's all I've got for you. Good luck!

[jesslive]

I had to stop taking the prenatals with iron. I got a lot of advice not to do it, but my doctor tested my iron and I was fine. I just happen to eat a lot of iron rich foods, I guess.

Towards the end of the pregnancy, it was definitely a problem despite the iron free pills. I just chalked it up to the baby taking all the good stuff.

I hope you can find some relief. I am interested to hear the suggestions people have.

[newjeans]

I had an appt today, the nurse said it was fine for me to take MOM, but im not really a fan of that stuff. She also suggested limiting my dairy and cutting out cheese. Bummer, those string cheese are really handy on the go, lol. So I think im going to try cutting back my dairy, see how that goes, and then if that doesnt work, start trying metamucel or the like. I guess if I get very desperate I can try some flax or eat some bran. Coffee has always "worked" for me too, but i've cut that out since becoming pregnant (not that I have a problem with it, but i have a strong aversion to it now). I am fairly active although i could walk more, it wouldnt hurt me =). It's worth a try. Oh the joys of pregnancy, lol.

[TimesTwo]

Instead of milk of magnesia (the main ingredient is magnesium), how about just a regular magnesium supplement? Start with 400 mgs each night. If that doesn't start to work after a few days, work your way up to a dosage that does.

An added bonus of magnesium is that it helps you sleep more deeply! Also, it has a role in muscle relaxation, and studies show it can help prevent premature contractions.

[AuntWie]

Magnesium really helps me, too. Also Sunflower seed kernels. MOM works faster, but I have to be fairly desperate to try that. Good luck.

[newjeans]

hhmmmm.....i do have a magnesium supp. that i could take more of. I will have a look at my vitamins and the magn. and make sure im not overdosing on anything, but extra magn. would probably work.

thanks ladies! =)

[jesslive]

I thought about it, and I remember taking extra vitamin c when pregnant. That helped, but be careful because too much can have the opposite effect.

[Josiemk]

Newjeans,

Try those Low carb tortillas by Mission their loaded with fiber. The small has 7 grams & the larger ones have 12 grams. I always eat them with peanut butter.

[newjeans]

ohh, good idea... i do love peanut butter....ive been having a really hard time getting back on track food-wise. ugh....but i need to do this, i cant afford to gain a ton of weight again like last time.

[Josiemk]

It's so hard getting back on track especially when you have a food addiction. I wish my family would understand that. I know you can do it. It took scaring the crap out of me to get me back on track . I'm hoping with my next, if there is one, that I'd learn my lesson.

BTW are you walking or doing any kind of exersize. That really helps alot.

[ruthla]

Some people find that high fiber makes constipation worse for them personally- it might be worth it to try cutting back on the fiber (while keeping fat and fluid intake high) and see if that helps you.

You also might be eating something that doesn't quite agree with you. I had horrible constipation when I was pg with my first, when I was eating a lot of soy products. I didn't have that problem in my next two pgs when I kept soy intake to a minimium.

[newjeans]

thanks ladies,

Josiemk, yeah, i know i need to get back on track with exercise as well. i had been doing pretty good before i got pregnant, and in the first couple weeks, but then ever since this morning sickness kicked in, ive hardly had the energy to just keep up with my 3yr old. But, its been really nice out lately, and i know my daughter could use some more exercise as well, i SHOULD start at least walking again....and yeah, food addiction....i know myself, i know how my body responds to foods, but its the mental part, ya know?! at the end of a long day, those comfort foods sound so much more paletable than protein. but, since im probably going to feel like crap anyway no matter what i eat, i should just suck it up and low-carb, at least then i wont swell up like a whale, lol.

Ruthla, wow, hats off to you as a single mom! i dont know how you do it. Ive been a "single mom" for about 11 mo. now (my husband was home for 2 weeks, 2 mo ago), and I am barely hanging on lately. I agree that fiber doesnt seem to be the answer. But, the bad news is that fats and fatty foods give me horrid heartburn/indigestion. This is a pregnancy thing Im pretty sure, because it never happens when im not pregnant. So, its really a struggle to find foods that dont make me either constipated or have terrible heartburn. But, i did find some sugar free tums, and they do seem to help, so thats good.

I am now in my 10th week, and really hoping that the morning sickness and all day nausea slow down soon......I just want to fall into bed and wake up well into the second trimester, with no more morning sickness, lots more energy, and all that good stuff. This pregnancy is just so much harder than the last one. ugh.....