Constipation during Pregnancy

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Constipation troubles about half of all pregnant women at some point during pregnancy. Constipation is a condition marked by abdominal discomfort, infrequent bowel movements, and difficult passage of hard stools.

[edit] Causes

Constipation early in pregnancy is usually due to pregnancy hormones. They slow the movement of food through the intestines which causes more water to be drawn from the stool. This results in a firmer stool which due to the slower action of the intestines is hard to pass. Later in pregnancy constipation is aggravated by extra pressure on the large intestine from the growing uterus. Iron supplements may also contribute to constipation.

[edit] Treatment

To treat constipation, try:

Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet. Fiber moves through the intestines without being digested. Along the way it absorbs water. This assists in moving the stools along and makes passing the stool easier.

To add more fiber to your diet, eat plenty of:

Whole fruit – prunes, pears, figs, apricots

Vegetables – carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, celery

Whole grains – bran cereal, whole grain bread

Legumes – all types of beans and peas

You can also purchase over the counter fiber supplements to enhance the amount of fiber in your diet. Aim for 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day.

Increase your intake of fluids. The addition of fiber to your diet requires that you also increase the amount of fluid in your diet. If you do not have enough fluids in your system, you can actually make constipation worse. Drink 10 to 12 cups of water per day to ensure you are consuming enough fluids.

Increase your exercise. Regular exercise benefits all of your body, including the regularity of your intestines. Schedule 30 minute exercise periods 3 times a week.

Don’t ignore your internal signals. When you have the urge to move your bowels, do not ignore it. If you do, the signal will become weaker over time, and make constipation worse.

During pregnancy it is not recommended that you take laxatives or use mineral oil to relieve constipation.