Pregnancy marks a unique and transformative period in a woman's life, especially if it is her first experience. It's a time where many aspects of her body undergo changes, particularly in hormone levels. Hormonal fluctuations play a crucial role in the health and comfort of the expectant mother. Among these changes is constipation, one of the common symptoms women may experience during pregnancy. What is constipation? What are its symptoms for pregnant women, and what are its causes? Let's discover together.

Constipation is the feeling of difficulty and pain during defecation, or the inability to defecate for a period of more than three days. The constipated person feels how dry and hard the stool feels and how difficult it is to pass. The constipated person may need to strain or strain in order to defecate. The constipated person also feels that he has not completely emptied his intestines and does not feel comfortable, and that he needs to defecate more. "In the following article, we will explore the symptoms of constipation during pregnancy, its causes, and how to prevent it. Keep reading to learn more.

Symptoms of Constipation during pregnancy

  1. Defecate less than 3 times a week
  2. Pain, difficulty, and the need to strain when defecating
  3. Gas and bloating in the abdomen
  4. Hemorrhoids and anal fissures in difficult cases

Causes of constipation in pregnant women

There are many possible causes of constipation in pregnant women, and the cause may be one or several causes may come together, which are:

1. Hormonal changes

An increase in the concentration of the pregnancy hormone, progesterone, can cause the intestinal movement to relax and slowdown, which slows down the movement of food and waste and thus causes the pregnant woman to become constipated.

2. Take medications and nutritional supplements

Taking nutritional supplements such as iron, calcium, and some other vitamins can lead to constipation, and some medications that are frequently taken during pregnancy, such as medications for nausea and heartburn, also cause constipation.
If you suffer from constipation and are taking any of the above supplements or medications, ask your doctor to change the type of medication or dose, as this can help eliminate or relieve constipation.

3. Diet and exercise

Eating a small amount of fiber increases the risk of constipation for pregnant women and others. Therefore, try to eat a sufficient amount of fiber, taste healthy, drink a sufficient amount of water, and try to do any type of exercise for at least half an hour daily. All of this helps speed up bowel movement and thus eliminate waste faster.

4. Increased size of the uterus, which puts pressure on the intestines and reduces its movement and efficiency.

Does the risk of constipation increase in a pregnant woman if she suffered from it before pregnancy?

Yes, if you suffered from constipation before pregnancy, you will most likely suffer from the same symptoms as before or even slightly worse symptoms. Therefore, because prevention is better than cure, try to follow healthy habits such as eating fiber, drinking enough water, and exercising to protect yourself from constipation.

Solutions for constipation during pregnancy

  • Try to go to the bathroom whenever you need to and quickly – do not wait or postpone.
  • Place a small stool under your feet and keep your back straight when sitting to defecate. This position helps facilitate bowel movement and reduces the incidence of hemorrhoids.
  • Try to drink more than eight glasses of water, and try to drink hot liquids as well.
  • Stimulate bowel movement by maintaining a healthy diet rich in fiber.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Use a laxative or medications that help soften bowel movements and reduce constipation, but only after consulting your doctor.

Is constipation during pregnancy a sign of something serious?

Most cases of constipation in pregnant women are normal and do not cause concern, but failure to treat constipation may result in several problems and complications, such as:

  1. Anal fissures
  2. Hemorrhoids
  3. Rectal prolapse

Does constipation in pregnant women have a negative effect on her fetus?

You certainly feel pain in your stomach and intestines due to constipation, but rest assured! This feeling cannot reach your fetus. Even constipation medications and laxatives that you may have to take from time to time do not negatively affect either your pregnancy or your fetus.

Will pregnant women get rid of constipation once they give birth?

The answer to this question depends on several factors, including:

1. Method of birth

In the case of a cesarean section, you may be constipated for only a few days after birth. In the case of natural childbirth, especially when an episiotomy occurs, the mother is sometimes afraid to defecate and put pressure on the area, which increases the possibility of constipation.

2. The medications you take

Painkillers taken by the mother after childbirth increase the risk of constipation.

3. Breast feeding

A breastfeeding mother is more likely to suffer from constipation than one who is unable to breastfeed, but this can be avoided by compensating by drinking sufficient amounts of water and fluids.

4. The extent to which the mother cares about her health

Most new mothers give priority to the infant and may forget about themselves and neglect their health, especially in the first weeks after giving birth. Pay attention to yourself and your food to avoid constipation, and give yourself priority so that you are in the best condition to care for your child.

While 2 out of 5 women suffer from constipation during pregnancy, you can easily get rid of constipation or even prevent it by following the tips we mentioned to you in the article by following simple healthy habits in your diet and in your bathroom habits.

Here we have reached the end of this article. We have learned what constipation is, in addition to the causes of constipation in pregnant women, its symptoms and treatment methods. Follow our website to access more articles.

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