How To Relieve Constipation In Pregnancy

What Can I Do To Prevent This

Eat a diet rich in high-fiber foods such as fresh or dried fruits and vegetables plus high-fiber cereal. If you suddenly eat a lot more fiber, you may get bloating, diarrhea, and gas pressure. If this happens, try increasing the amount slowly over a week or more.

Also, drinking enough water and getting regular exercise can all help to prevent constipation.

What Can I Do If I Become Constipated

The first thing to try is to increase the fiber in your diet, drink a lot of water, and exercise regularly. You can also try prunes and prune juice, as these things help to speed up elimination. If these things do not help, see the safe medications page during pregnancy. If you are unable to pass a bowel movement, have severe abdominal pain or rectal bleeding, you should contact your physician.

Will It Continue After Ive Had The Baby

There are several reasons why constipation may continue after birth. Women who have had a caesarean often experience constipation for a few days until their regular bowel movements return. Women who have stiches after a vaginal birth may hesitate on the toilet, which can cause a build-up in their bowels.

If youve taken strong pain medication after having your baby this may also cause constipation.

New mothers are often busier than usual in the first few weeks and months of motherhood. It may seem like taking care of yourself has become less of a priority, but your health is no less important now than it was during your pregnancy. Be sure to have plenty of fibre-rich fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains as well as increase your fluid intake while breastfeeding to encourage healthy bowel movements, even when you are busy.

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How To Manage Constipation In Pregnancy

Nearly three out of four women experience constipation and other bowel disorders during their pregnancies. Heres how to handle it.

Noticing a flutter or two in your belly lately? It’s not necessarily your baby kicking. Thanks to pregnancy hormones and an enlarged uterus, you might start feeling bloated, constipated, and generally uncomfortable. Constipation can also lead to hemorrhoids, another common side effect of pregnancy. Here’s how to manage and prevent constipation while expecting.;

What Can I Do About Constipation When I’m Pregnant

You don’t have to resign yourself to nine months of discomfort. There are plenty of tactics to combat colon congestion :

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How To Relieve Constipation Fast

It`s a condition just as essential as the Keigel exercises because the liquids are eliminated faster during pregnancy. Water is the favorite liquid compared with other beverages or coffee. In fact, coffee acts as a diuretic, worsening constipation, the same thing being true for alcohol or certain teas. Soups of any kind, fruit or vegetable juices are good sources of hydration. A cup of warm tea can trigger the stool.

Hydration is important for each of us, especially for pregnant women, who are in higher risk of dehydration than before the pregnancy. The water will soften the stools, making them easier to be eliminated. It`s recommended to drink 6 to 8 cups of waters per day if you are an adult, even more if you are suffering from constipation.

Can Constipation Hurt The Baby

Many pregnant women who experience pain from constipation will have this concern, but constipation in pregnancy will not hurt your baby.

Another good thing to know if you do end up using a OTC laxative : most laxatives are not well absorbed into body and have not been shown to be a risk to the baby.

The real concern is for the mother herself, not the baby. In some cases, pregnancy constipation can lead to more uncomfortable and serious symptoms of pregnancy, including hemorrhoids, rectal bleeding, fecal impaction, and rectal fissures. Oh, the joys of pregnancy! But take heart, most moms find relieve to their constipation in pregnancy with natural remedies.

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Herbal Supplements Like Glucomannan

I personally had not heard about glucomannan until I was researching natural ways to relieve constipation while pregnant. Glucomannan is a dietary fiber made from the root of the konjac plant.

This study investigated the effects of glucomannan on constipation in pregnancy. The women in the study reported softer stools and increased frequently of bowel movements.

There were no complications reported in the study from the use of glucomannan.

IMPORTANT: I decided to include this on this list of natural ways to relieve constipation while pregnant because of the positive effects noted in the study. However, there is not enough information yet about the safety of taking glucomannan if you are pregnant. If you chose to try something like this to treat your constipation, talk with your doctor first!

Causes Of Constipation During Pregnancy

Pregnancy causes many changes and complications in the body, noticeable among them is constipation. Up to 38 percent of women experience constipation during pregnancy. The reason you may be experiencing constipation depends on what stage of pregnancy you are in. Hormonal changes happen during your first trimester and these cause issues with bowel movement. This is because the hormones slow the movement of left-over food materials through the colon where it hardens causing constipation. The delay of stool in the colon causes it to lose more water than usual making it hard to pass when you have the urge to do so.

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As the baby grows during your last trimester, it will add pressure to your colon. This additional pressure hampers the smooth movement of waste through your intestines. This hampered movement causes the stool to sit for longer in your colon causing constipation. Prenatal vitamins are an important source of nutrients during pregnancy. They contain iron which is important for you during pregnancy especially if your body is not manufacturing enough of it.

A small percentage of iron in the prenatal vitamins is absorbed by your body. The rest of it goes to feed bad pathogenic bacteria in the intestines that make the stool turn black and hard. Constipation during pregnancy may come with bloating, stomach discomfort as well as painful toilet experiences.

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What Can I Take For Constipation During Pregnancy

If you have tried some of these natural pregnancy constipation remedies, but are not finding the relief that youre looking for, you may be wondering if you can take a laxative to help move things along. Always talk to your midwife or doctor about your constipation before taking any over-the-counter products.

There are a few different options when considering laxative medication for constipation in pregnancy, lets take a look at these options:

Fluid Intake During Pregnancy

Having a good fluid intake can maintain good movement of the stool through your body by softening the stool and reducing constipation5. Try to keep well hydrated by drinking at regular intervals throughout the day.

The ideal volume of fluid for most women to consume is around 8 cups of water, herbal tea, milk, vegetable and non sugar fruit juices throughout the day during pregnancy. Alternatively if you dont like to drink a lot of water, you may try to eat foods with high moisture content such as melon, cucumber and soups5.

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Could It Be A Sign Of Something More Serious

While most cases of constipation are not a sign of illness, sometimes there are complications such as haemorrhoids, faecal impaction or rectal prolapse. In rare cases, constipation can be caused by more serious conditions such as tumours.

Speak with your doctor if you are concerned, and especially if you notice blood in your stools.

Symptoms Of Constipation During Pregnancy

Some of the most common symptoms of constipation during pregnancy include:

• Reduced bowel movements.
• Feces become hardened, making their passage difficult.
• A decrease in appetite.
• Abdominal bloating and pain.
• Blood splotches in the stool as a result of rectal injury due to hard feces.

Constipation is a tiring condition in general. During pregnancy, it may take a toll on your health. Read on to find out when it occurs so that you are prepared to deal with it.

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Causes Of Constipation In Pregnancy

For occasional constipation during pregnancy lifestyle changes are recommended first. Then if constipation persists some over-the-counter medications can be used if necessary.

However, you must talk to your healthcare provider if constipation becomes an ongoing problem, or you dont see improvement with these first and second line recommendations.

Medical Treatment For Constipation

Medicine

If over-the-counter treatments donât do the job, your doctor may prescribe a different kind of medication.

• Prescription laxatives such as linaclotide, lubiprostone, and plecanatide work by increasing the amount of water in your intestines and speeding up the movement of stool. Note that Amitiza is approved for use only in women.

• Serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptors.Â;Prucalopride is a powerful stimulant thatâs used for chronic constipation without a known cause.

• PAMORAs. This is a shorter way of saying âperipherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists.â These work on constipation thatâs caused by opioid pain medicines. These drugsÂ; include methylnaltrexone and naloxegol Â;

Surgery for constipation treatment

Sometimes constipation is caused by a structural problem in your colon or rectum. Your colon may be blocked or unusually narrow, or you may have a partial collapse or a bulge in the wall of your rectum. In that case, surgery can correct the problem.

Surgery may also be a last resort if your colon just works too slowly and treatments havenât helped. You may need to have a section of your colon removed.

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Nutrition Rich In Fibers

More than this, women who experience morning sickness lose a lot of liquids through vomit. The ones accusing a lack of appetite due to vomit and nausea are the ones who don`t consume enough fibers, increasing the risk of constipation. It`s required 30 g of daily fibers to maintain a healthy intestine and in good functioning, which translate by 5 portions of vegetables and 2 portions of fruits .

Causes Of Pregnancy Constipation

Pregnant women experience constipation partly because of high levels of progesterone. “This hormone causes the muscles in the wall of the bowel to relax so they’re not making the contractions needed to help move things along,” says Dr. Rabin, associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology and women’s health at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in New York City. “Plus, as your pregnancy progresses, your uterus enlarges and presses down on your bowels, which can slow their ability to empty.”;

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Yet another culprit may be the iron in your prenatal vitamin or the iron supplement you may be taking because of anemia. Lastly, giving up caffeine, which naturally keeps the bowels moving, can be another cause of constipation.

So when does constipation in pregnancy start? It can appear around the second or third month, and it may stick around until Baby makes an appearance.;

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What Remedies Should Not Be Used For Constipation During Pregnancy

Laxative pills are NOT recommended for the treatment of constipation;during pregnancy because they might stimulate uterine contractions;and cause dehydration. Talk to your doctor about taking an over-the-counter fiber supplement or a laxative or stool softener.

Mineral oils should NOT be used during pregnancy because they reduce nutrient absorption.

Side Effects Of Constipation During Pregnancy

Given below are the side effects that may occur when you are pregnant and constipated . In some cases, these may even call for a medical emergency.

• Severe abdominal pain
• Repetitive rectal bleeding
• Hemorrhoids

The complications that surface with constipation during pregnancy may be very irritating and painful in the long run. If you are among those who have developed constipation during pregnancy, start using the remedies described here after consulting your doctor to obtain relief.

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Constipation: Symptoms Causes Foods And Remedies

Constipation is a condition, not a disease. Although the word dis-ease certainly applies.;

There is no formal clinical definition of constipation. Clinicians, doctors, patients, and diagnostic criteria define it differently.

Contents

Constipation happens when bowel movements become more difficult or less frequent.

Constipation can be defined when one has fewer than three bowel movements in a week.

However, many people think they are constipated when they are not.

Keep this in mind: if your Stool is soft and comfortable to pass, you are not constipated.

Complications Of Constipation In Pregnancy

Constipation in pregnancy is mostly just a pain in the butt see what I did there? However, constipation can ocassionally result in complications.

These include fecal impaction, bowel obstruction, and rectal prolapse . Straining and the passage of hard stool can possibly lead to hemorrhoids, anal fissure or rectal ulcers. Constipation may also cause pelvic floor damage or weakening of the pelvic floor muscles.

For these reasons and to prevent the general discomfort caused by constipation, its important to make sure you properly treat constipation during pregnancy.

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General Toddler Constipation Relief Tips:

Although the best;toddler constipation relief;is to find the cause and counter it, in general; few ways usually use to ease and relieve toddler constipation.

1. Warm bath for constipated toddler

Give your toddler a warm bath to help relieve constipation. The idea is to relax your toddler and relax the muscles in the stomach and rectum area.

A warm bath can also ease and relieve cramps that are usually associated with constipation by relaxing the muscles.

Relaxing the muscles that keep stool inside the rectum may help pass the stools.;

2. Tummy massage

A gentle tummy massage while your toddler takes a warm bath can also help relieve constipation.

Do this only if your toddler feels comfortable with it. Start the message at your toddlers belly button and gently move outwards clockwise in a circular motion.

This will help to stimulate the muscles to move the stools and produce a bowel movement.

3. Consume enough water

Ensure that your toddler gets an adequate water intake; it is about 8 10 cups daily.

But fluid requirements vary depending on their activity, the weather , and their body size.

Adequate water intake is an essential factor to prevent or relieve children from having constipation problems.

4. Eat more Fiber

Give your toddler more high fiber foods , such as whole grain, vegetables, fruits can help relieve constipation.

5. Fruit juice

Giving your toddler fruit juice is also good to help relieve constipation.

6. Exercise

7. Squatting position

7. Laxatives

Probiotics To The Rescue

Probiotics are naturally present in many foods. They work well to provide pregnancy constipation relief as they alter the colonic flora and might also improve bowel function. You can enrich your diet with probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt and kimchi salad or try probiotic supplements that are available over-the-counter. Though not extensively studied in pregnant patients, but probiotic agents have little to no potential for harm for you or your growing baby.11

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Remedies For Severe Constipation

• Ginger is one of the best remedies against constipation and indigestion during pregnancy. Add it raw to your diet!
• Garlic is good every time, even when you are pregnant. It help to eliminate gas and when bloating. It also strengthens the colon and alleviates constipation.
• Fresh and dry fruits or vegetables. Raw or slightly cooked, preferably with peel if possible. Cereals, bread, peas, beans are also good. You should remove white bread and refined rice as well if you can and choose bread from whole grains instead.
• It`s better to have 6 small meals per day than 3 big meals. You`ll be experiencing less gas and you`ll not feel so bloated all the time.
• The bravest pregnant women or the ones who are more affected by constipation can drink a glass of prune juice. It makes wonders.

So now you have improved your knowledge a bit and you have at least an idea of how to relieve constipation during pregnancy. Apply some of the methods above and try to get rid of your constipation.

How To Stop Using Laxatives

When your bowel movements occur regularly without difficulty, laxatives can be withdrawn gradually. The reduction in the dose of laxatives should be guided by the frequency and consistency of the stools.

Gradual withdrawal will reduce the risk of requiring re-initiation of therapy for recurrent fecal loading.

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Try Some Home Remedies

If all else fails, try to stimulate your bowels using some home remedies that have been passed around from generation to generation and probably your grandma to mom.

• One is to drink warm milk before going to bed if you wont feel nauseous drinking milk. It mostly helps you the morning after. Warm milk before bedtime has been proven to provide a good nights sleep and ease bowel movements in the mornings.
• Another old favorite is to drink warm lemon water on waking up. Water has the natural ability to soften stool and lemon has high acidic content that can ease any discomfort in the stomach. Together, they work well in relieving constipation.

References

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