I have a IVF patient who is 8 weeks pregnant and suffering from fairly severe probably progesterone induced constipation. The acupuncture and herbs and nutrition advice I am giving her are not working that well. She is generally Blood deficient, with Qi stagnation and some heat. I am reluctant to hit her too hard with herbs (eg. da huang). Any body have experience with using herbs for this?
Kaleb
She hasn't tried metamusil yet, but I think she eats a decent amount of fibre (whole grains and fruits and vegies) at the moment. I got some advice on a Blood deficiency type constipation herbal formula and I"ll try that this week. I'll re-ask her more carefully about her fibre intake now and offer up the pysillium husks if it is less than I thought.
thanks
Kaleb
In my clinical (and personal) experience, sometimes eating a lot of fiber(re) doesn't do enough to move the constipation, but can instead make the woman even more bloated and gassy. The psyllium is just irritating enough to the colon to make everything move out gently, without increasing bloating.
I'll be interested to hear how the Blood deficiency constipation herbal formula works, though. What are the ingredients?
have you tried using essential oils like Flax or cod liver oils, something high in DHA oils could help with dry stools !
what is the info on the formula you are prescribing ?
Ryan Funk
Hi Kaleb -
Although most patients and practitioners know about the constipation-relieving effects of prunes, and prune juice, most folks don't know why and/or how it works. I actually had the great good fortune to see an eminent GI specialist lecture at UCLA Medical Center about chronic constipation in pediatric patients, and he said that there is a chemical in prunes called asorbital which helps the intestines to imbibe the fluids necessary for stools to move. This chemical also stimulates peristalsis. He said that taking fiber is useless, and will only cause bloating and discomfort if the intestines are not imbibing enough fluids. Asorbital is found abundantly in prunes, but also fairly abundantly in pears and apricots. It's also in a chewing gum called Orbitz.
I asked him during the break between lectures if it was safe to recommend these fruits and/or juices for constipation in pregnancy, and he said it was absolutely safe.
Hope this helps,
Ray.
He Kaleb
What treatment did you try and what is the outcome ? keep us posted!
She has managed to regulate herself with food, prunes, prune juice, apricots (thanks Ray) and acupuncture. (St 25, ren 12, ren 6, SJ 6, st 36, 37)
I got advice from a practitioner with over 25 years experience and he recomended
Hi Kaleb,
Well I don’t know if your patient is willing to take herbs + also one must consider if she knew it would be beneficial not only for the constipation….but also beneficial to the pregnancy too. The progesterone can have a constipating effect-input too. Considering the info below it is easy to give a simple formula:
He Shou Wu 15g.
Bai Shao 10g.
Dang Gui 10g.
Rou Cong Rong 12g.
Shou Di Huang 15g.
Mai Men Dong 9g.
Tian Men Dong 9g.
Honey to sweeten (Moist Laxative)
To be take 2x/day to start and then even reduced to 1 x/day as if needed.
It can only help and is no way dangerous or threatening to a pregnancy.
Thank you again for all of your input.
Kaleb
constipation in first tri
Has she tried a fiber laxative (not a stool softener) like psyllium husk? Metamucil in the US, not sure what it would be called in Canada.
It is safe, and effective.