Constipation During Pregnancy RemediesSeveral women feel constipated during pregnancy. The reason for getting constipation is that when you are pregnant, your body produces a hormone called progesterone that causes the muscles of the large intestine to relax. This makes them slow and sluggish, and processes the food in the digestive tract at a slower pace. Thus, a woman is bound to feel constipated.
Another reason for constipation is that the growing size of the uterus will take up a lot of space in your body and will give the bowel less space to work. Also the iron-rich prenatal vitamins that you might be taking when you are pregnant can cause constipation. Constipation is almost an inevitable part of pregnancy. You can follow some simple tips to get relief from constipation.
Drink enough water and fluids throughout the day to
relieve constipation during pregnancy. You must drink about eight glasses of water as well as fresh fruit juices and clear soups.
Prune juice with its laxative properties is believed to do wonders in preventing and curing constipation. Another tried and tested method is to turn to warm liquids like a glass of warm milk before going to bed or a mixture of warm water with a dash of lemon and honey first thing in the morning to relieve constipation.
Fiber rich foods are also great for
relieving constipation during pregnancy. Load up on foods such as peas, beans, vegetables, fruits, lentils, cereals and whole grains. Green leafy veggies and green fruits like kiwi can also help relieve pregnancy constipation. You should have at least 25 to 35 grams of fiber every day. So, replace all those refined foods with fiber-rich foods.
Many times, the supplements that you take during pregnancy can cause constipation. So, instead of stopping them at your own end, we suggest that you speak with your doctor and find out if there are any alternatives that he can suggest. Also, do not try self medication and reach for laxatives. It is always a good idea to speak with a doctor.
You must also include some sort of exercise in your routine and aim to include some activities in your lifestyle. You can go for a walk, a swim or a to a yoga class. Try Pilates or water aerobics, or some sort of light and interesting exercise to keep you fit and constipation-free. Exercising everyday can help bring relief from constipation during pregnancy.
And, whenever you feel the urge to go to the bathroom, don’t wait for too long because this can weaken the bowel muscles.
Submitted by P T on June 11, 2010 at 01:20
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