How to cure constipation during pregnancy?

(May 11, 2010)

Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant, her body produces progesterone, a hormone that relaxes the muscles of the large intestine. So, when the bowels are working slowly, the process of digestion takes longer and the food tends to remain longer in the digestive tract. This can often cause constipation.

During pregnancy, the uterus keeps growing and the larger it gets, the more space it takes in your body. This tends to give lesser space to the digestive tract to work in. And this lack of space might slow down the way the food is getting digested. Pregnant women often take iron-rich prenatal vitamins. These can lead to constipation. So, as we can see, constipation seems to be an inevitable part of pregnancy. The good news is that you might be able to get relief from the problem by following some simple tips.

You should drink a lot of water all through the day. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water, and drink a lot of fluids like fresh fruit juices, soups and vegetable juices. You might want to try prune juice for its laxative properties. It is also believed that warm liquids such as a cup of warm milk at bedtime, or a combination of warm water, lemon and honey in the morning can help relieve constipation.

Foods rich in fibre can help relieve constipation during pregnancy. Include a lot of green leafy vegetables, fresh veggies, fruits, legumes, and whole grains in your diet. Make sure that you are getting about 25 to 35 grams of fibre in your food every day. If you have been eating more of refined and processed foods, replace those with fresh, fibrous options.

The supplements that you might be taking when you are pregnant can cause constipation. We suggest that you speak with your doctor and ask him for alternatives that may not cause a severe constipation problem. Do remember that exercise is very important for you. Many pregnant women tend to stop exercising when they conceive. However, some sort of activity or exercise every day has more benefits than one. It not only keeps constipation under check, but also keeps your fit and healthy, and helps to prepare your body for an easier labor.

You can go to a pre-natal yoga class, or for a swim. Try going for a walk, take a Pilates class or sigh up for some water aerobics. Do consult your doctor before starting any exercise, though, and make sure of the level of activity that you are allowed.

Submitted by P T on May 11, 2010 at 11:46

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