Constipation during pregnancy

Constipation affects approximately half of all women at some point during their pregnancy.

Constipation occurs when there is abdominal pain or discomfort, difficult and infrequent bowel movements, and the passage of hard stools. 

What causes constipation during pregnancy?
Constipation in pregnant women is thought to occur due to hormones that relax the intestinal muscle and the pressure of the expanding uterus on the intestines. This causes food and waste to move slower through your system.

Here are other common causes of constipation during pregnancy:

• Worry and anxiety
• Minimal physical exercise
• Low-fiber diet
• Iron tablets can cause constipation in some women

How to prevent or treat constipation during pregnancy?
Here are a few things that you can do to help prevent or treat constipation:

• Eat a high-fiber diet such as fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain.
• Drink a lot of fluids, ideally 10 to 12 cups of water a day. It is the combination of a high-fiber diet and plenty of liquids that best helps you eliminate your waste.
• Exercise routinely. Walking, swimming and other moderate exercises help the intestines work by stimulating your bowels.
• Reduce, eliminate, or switch to a different type of iron supplement. Talk to your healthcare provider about checking your iron levels and adjust your iron intake accordingly.

When to get medical help?
If you have tried changing your diet and exercising more but your symptoms have not gotten better, you should consult with your doctor. Do not take laxative pills unless your doctor prescribed them.