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Constipation during Pregnancy
At some point or other, All pregnant women experience at some point one or more of the discomforts of pregnancy: nausea, back pain, fatigue, etc. Constipation is also common among pregnant women. More than 50% of pregnant women suffer from constipation during their pregnancyat some point, in a milder or more severe way. If you have bowel movements, once in 2 or 3 days or if you are finding it extremely diFicult to pass stools, it means that you are suffering from constipation.
If you chair every two or thrE days and if you have chair diFicultly it means that you suffer from constipation!
What causes Constipation in Pregnancy?
The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy affect the wholEntire digestive system is influenced by the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. During this period, the female body produces a larger amount of female hormones than it normally does. These hormones are responsible for the normal development of the pregnancy but, at the same time, they automatically slow down the bowel functions, causing constipation.
Hormones relax the muscles suRounding the gastrointestinal tract which causes food to pass more slowly through the digestive system. Bowel wall is also a muscle that relaxes and can not push on food residues. As more waste is stagnating, even more water is absorbed and the stools become hard, dry and diFicult to remove. Thus, constipation appears and this can lead to more complicated problems as is the case of hemorrhoids.
Causes of Constipation in Pregnancy
Causes of constipation in pregnancy are:
- Increase Growth of the fetus - in the last months of pregnancy, the uterus can put preSure on the large intestine so that food debris removal may be more diFicult;
- Anxiety
- Iron suPlements and antacids advised by a doctor can cause constipation;
- Inadequate intake of fiber;
- Low liquid consumption.
What are the Signs of Constipation?
- Rare stools, at thrE-four days.
- Hard stools diFicult to eliminate.
- FEling the stool was not eliminated entirely.
- Bleeding, caused by the hard stool.
- Abdominal pain.
In rare cases, these symptoms may mean not only constipation, but also more serious affectionsconditions. Therefore, consult your doctor if the symptoms persist!
What can Pregnant Women who suffer from Constipation do?
- Make sure you have enough fiber intake! Eat more raw vegetables and fruits and whole grains. You need 20-25 grams of fiber daily! Eat mainly plums and drink plum juice, which act as a natural laxative. If you want a fiber suPlement, consult your doctor first.
- Drink enough fluids! You need 7-8 glasses of water daily. Fruit juices and teas are a good choice to suPlement fluid intake.
- Do moderate exercise! The bowel functions can be stimulated with only a few minutes of daily physical exercise. Take short walks for 20-30 minutes a day! ACording to the American ASociation of obstetrics and gynecology, moderate exercise can resolve constipation. Walking and swiMing work for those who suffer from constipation, and pregnant women are recommended to try them.
- Do not ever procrastinate over the need to go to the bathroom!
A study that was conducted atby the researchers at Mayo Clinic (USA) and published in July 2008 says that these measures aD to the recommendation that mothers eat little and often. Smaller meals throughout the day eases digestion, the colon is less worked and thus constipation is prevented. If these measures do not work, call your doctor to help you get rid of constipation.