How To Relieve Constipation While Pregnant

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When your bowel movements occur regularly without difficulty, laxatives can be withdrawn gradually.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.

Constipation In Pregnancynatural Ways To Get Things Moving Everyone Should Know

In early pregnancy, women experience many problems such as constipation, morning sickness, fatigue, nausea, vertigo, and so many other problems. Out of which constipation is a very common symptom that most women experience during pregnancy.

However, symptoms may vary from woman to woman. Now we may discuss the problem and its safe treatment to relieve the discomfort.

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Otc Medications For Constipation During Pregnancy

If these remedies arent working for you, you may need to talk with your doctor or midwife about trying a laxative or stool softener.

Here are some over-the-counter medications that are generally considered safe to take during pregnancy and your provider may suggest :

• Colace : Your doctor might have you try a stool softener, like Colace, first before turning to laxatives. The active ingredient in stool softeners is minimally absorbed by the body, so there is very little chance it could pass to or harm your baby in any way.
• Milk of Magnesia : This is a mild laxative you may need to try if a stool softener alone doesnt do the trick. Milk of Magnesia may have a yucky taste, but it works like a charm for many expecting moms.
• Metamucil : Metamucil is another safe option your provider may suggest. It is a bulk-producing laxative that draws water into the stools, making them softer and easier to pass. Its also used as a fiber supplement.

Bisacodyl and senna are both stimulant laxatives that have been found to be safe in pregnancy. Because they are stimulants, though, they can cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea and can lead to dehydration. Some recommendations state that bisacodyl should be avoided during the first trimester. Senna should be taken with caution, and only if your doctor recommends it. . Always make sure to talk with your healthcare provider before taking any OTC medications during pregnancy.

Editor’s Note:

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Medications To Relieve Constipation During Pregnancy

If youve tried everything in the books, and you are still having difficulties in the bathroom, it may be time for some meds. Check with you doctor, but generally stool softeners are safe for pregnant women. Other OTC medications that are safe include Metamucil, Citrucel, Benefiber, or Milk of Magnesia.

Dont you just love talking about poop?? Dont worry, usually this constipation most women experience during pregnancy is temporary. Pregnancy is like a scary roller coaster ride for your body to go through, but eventually you get to the end and things go back to normal .

THERE IS HOWEVER a very scary poop you must face called the first postpartum poop, but that is a story for another day, and I wont scare you with alllll that.

Happy bathroom adventures!

Is Constipation A Sign Of Early Pregnancy

You betcha! Once an egg and a sperm unite, resulting in pregnancy, progesterone levels start to rise. Its this rise in progesterone that maintains the lining of the uterus, making it a great place for a baby to grow. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, progesterone relaxes the muscles of the intestinal wall, making it less capable of moving waste material through it .

If youre experiencing constipation in early pregnancy, hang on for the ridethis pregnancy symptom can stick around for all three trimesters.

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Monitor Your Use Of Medication

Some medicines that you are using during pregnancy can cause constipation. Many women are given iron-laden prenatal vitamins to prevent anemia. This may increase your iron level that makes your stool hard and causes constipation.

There are available different medications to relieve constipation these are prepared mainly for the problem in pregnancy. You have to consult with your doctor or midwife before using any remedy for relieving constipation.

How To Relieve Constipation Relief During Pregnancy

Constipation relief is in the wings and the latest videos on constipation relief are hitting the Internet. There is a vast crowd of people who are suffering from constipation problem and most of them are not aware of the constipation relief methods that are available. The best way to fight this ailment is to consult the doctors and there are a number of medicines that are approved by the FDA and are perfectly safe to use even by pregnant women.

Pregnant women need special attention when it comes to constipation. Since the baby inside the womb is growing very fast, there is an added pressure on the abdomen from the growing uterus and fetus. Pregnant women may suffer from hemorrhoids and even varicose veins, which can affect their health and cause constipation. To address all these issues, pregnant women need to follow some healthy dieting, regular exercise and also take the right amount of prenatal vitamins.

Constipation relief is possible but only with the help of a good diet. In this connection, one should keep off salty and spicy food and beverages which are considered to be injurious for constipation. While pregnant, make sure to avoid processed foods that contain wheat and flour. Take plenty of water and at least eight glasses of water a day to help the digestive system to function properly.

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Increase Your Fiber Intake

Changing your diet is one of the easiest natural ways to help relieve constipation while pregnant.

How does fiber help improve constipation?

Fiber is the part of vegetables, fruits, and grains that is not digested by our bodies. There are two kinds of fiber: soluble and insoluble.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water. It forms a gel-like substance that helps your stool pass smoothly through your bowels . Soluble fiber can slow down the passage of food from the stomach to the intestine, which helps your body absorb nutrients.

Insoluble fiber holds on to water to produce softer stools and helps speed up the transit of food in the digestive tract .

Which Foods Help Increase Fiber Intake?

There are many food options with high fiber content. A lot of beans, vegetables, and fruit contain needed fiber. Below is a list of foods that can help relieve constipation in pregnancy by providing greater than 5 grams of fiber per serving.

Source: Dietary Guidelines 2020-2025

A reader left a great comment about using chia seed and flaxseed to help relieve constipation, which is such a fabulous idea. One tablesoon of chia seed provides about 4 grams of dietary fiber and there is about 2.8 grams fiber in one tablespoon of whole flaxseed. Since they can be added to or sprinkled on many different types of foods, flaxseed and chia seed are a sneaky way to add more fiber into your diet.

How much fiber should I be eating?

How To Get Rid Of Constipation During Pregnancy Using Natural Remedies

Congrats! Youre pregnant! Now that the morning sickness has passed, why are you still feeling so bloated? Gassy? Constipated?

Unfortunately, constipation is the second most common gastrointestinal complaint in pregnancy . Constipation can affect up to 38% of pregnant women.

Since over one-third of pregnant women experience constipation, lets talk about some natural ways to help relieve constipation in pregnancy.

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Will It Affect My Baby

If youre pregnant, you dont need to worry that constipation will affect your baby since the discomfort occurs in the mothers gut and bowels and isnt passed on to the baby. Most laxatives are not well absorbed into the bloodstream and can be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but always check with your pharmacist before taking a medicine while pregnant.

Cant Poop Safe Constipation Remedies During Pregnancy

Written by our resident pharmacist, Yeniset Santana.

Not being able to poop is a common problem in pregnancy. Luckily there are a number of remedies you can use to help get things moving.

The safest way to relieve constipation during pregnancy is by introducing simple changes in your lifestyle . Some medications for constipation like bulk-forming agents and, osmotic and stimulant laxatives are also safe.

So How Often Should I be Pooping?

Its normal to poop from 3 times per day to 3 times a week. Sometimes during pregnancy you can experience fewer bowel movements than you would when not pregnant, but that does not necessarily mean that youre constipated.

However, if you have 2 bowel movements or less per week and 25% of your visits to the restroom are: painful, with a sensation of incomplete evacuation or with lumpy or hard stools. Then you are constipated.

• Laxatives in Post-Partum Patients

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Prune Juice For Constipation

Wondering how to cure constipation during pregnancy, prune juice is widely hailed as an effective cure for constipation. All you need to do is have prune juice, four to six times in a day to leave constipation and soften the stool. If the concentrated taste of the prune juice is too strong for you, they mix it with a bit of water and add a slice of lemon.

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Bowel Emptying In Pregnancy

This video shows you the correct position and technique for emptying your bowel without straining during pregnancy.

Emptying your bowel relieves constipation and promotes movement of your stool through your bowel. If youre constipated your bowel becomes progressively backed up with hard stool which making constipation worse.

If youre already constipated you may need to discuss the short term use of laxative medication to initially relieve constipation while including the interventions listed below to prevent ongoing constipation.

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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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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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Can Constipation Be Harmful To My Baby

Constipation isnt usually a cause for concern during pregnancy, but occasionally it can be a symptom of another problem. Be sure to call your OB or midwife if you have constipation accompanied by severe abdominal pain, alternating with diarrhea, or if you pass any blood or mucus.

As long as youre not in labor, straining to pass a bowel movement should not hurt you or your baby. It could cause or worsen hemorrhoids, which are uncomfortable, but nothing to be overly concerned about.

This increase in pressure, like you feel like you have to pass a bowel movement, could be associated with contractions though.

Listen To Your Body

Final Thoughts On Natural Ways To Relieve Constipation While Pregnant

Constipation during pregnancy can be an uncomfortable experience. There are many safe and natural ways to treat this common pregnancy side effect. If you are experiencing constipation or any other issues during your pregnancy, always talk to your doctor about the right treatment methods for you.

Have you experienced constipation during pregnancy? What other methods helped relieve your constipation symptoms? Let me know in the comments!

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Constipation Remedies During Pregnancy

If you find yourself having difficulty going to the toilet, you may need to try these ten pregnancy-safe remedies to get things moving again.

Editor’s Note:

Why Does Constipation Happen During Early Pregnancy

As weve discussed before, your body undergoes a huge hormone shift in the first trimester. An increase in progesterone relaxes your muscles, causing your intestines and bowels to slow down. This is paired with a decrease in motilin , a hormone that is a key player in keeping things moving in the digestive process. As the stool spends a longer time in your colon, more water is reabsorbed by your body, which makes the stool hard.

In addition to the hormonal slow-down, there are a few other factors that may pile on and add to your chances of experiencing constipation during early pregnancy. Morning sickness might make you drink less than you normally would, and dehydration leads to constipation. Most pregnant women take a prenatal vitamin that includes iron, and some women even take additional iron supplements. Iron is essential in supporting a healthy pregnancy, but it can also cause constipation.

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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 .

Constipation During Pregnancy: Causes Prevention And Recipes

Constipation is common during pregnancy, but there are remedies to help. Keep reading to find out how to avoid constipation during pregnancy. 1. Increase your Fiber Intake. A diet with high fiber content can help keeps your bowel movements regular. Eat foods rich in fiber daily, like the high-fiber foods on this list.

Here are some steps you should take to relieve or prevent constipation. Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Constipation During Maternity Period. 1) Increase your fluid intake. Start consuming more water and also add fruit and vegetable juices to your daily diet. 2) Add more high fiber food items to your diet chart.

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How To Relieve Constipation During Pregnancy Immediately

Pregnancy where brings excitement and nervousness in the life of a new mom to be, it also brings some problems too. A pregnant woman often gets constipation during her pregnancy that causes pain during regular bowel movements. Having constipation doesnt mean that you have to suffer from its pain throughout the pregnancy. There are different ways and tips that you can follow to relieve constipation during pregnancy. It is a common problem that is faced by most of the pregnant ladies due to a particular reason. Different factors cause constipation.

Here I will discuss some remedies that can help you to overcome your constipation and relieving its pain.

Watch Your Calcium Intake

Too much calcium can cause constipation. Calcium is found in many foods and supplements, particularly dairy products. If you overdo it on the milk and cheese, you might find your bowels get backed up.

Food sensitivities can sometimes contribute to constipation. Keep track of what you eat to see if certain foods are related to bouts of constipation.

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