How to get Pregnant » Constipation Remedies During Pregnancy
Constipation Remedies During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a very enjoyable experience but it can also be associated with a lot of discomfort. One of these discomforts is constipation. Constipation usually affects 30-40% of all pregnant women and is usually due to the hormonal changes during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, the body produces more female hormones than normal. It is the job of these hormones to make sure that the pregnancy develops normally. But they also automatically slow down the woman's intestinal movements. One of these hormones, called progesterone, acts by relaxing muscle. The wall of the bowel is made of muscle and relaxes, and so is less able to move food and bodily waste along.
A pregnant woman is said to have constipation when she was more than four days between each bowel movement and if her feces are hard and difficult to pass out. She may often have a feeling that not all her feces are being passed out. It may also cause bleeding from the rectum and lower abdominal pain.
If you are pregnant and you have constipation, you need to do something about it so that you can avoid further discomfort.
Remedies for Constipation
First of all, you should hydrate more. Simply drinking water can help make your bowel movements more frequent and less hard to pass. Staying hydrated is important for everyone, particularly in pregnancy. Be sure to get enough water every day and you will find that you have fewer problems with constipation.
Next is, you should increase your fiber intake. Fiber is found in natural sources like many fruits and vegetables, also in beans and some grain. These natural sources will help your bowel movements be loose and regular. Some recommend using prune juice.
You should also be wary of calcium supplements. Too much calcium can cause constipation. Also, too much iron and other elements in multivitamins can cause constipations, so be sure to check with your health care provider before using these supplements.
The next thing which you should do is exercise regularly. Exercise helps keep your bowels moving regularly.
Another thing is medication. You can take medications like fiber pills and laxatives to help relieve the painful symptoms of constipation. In pregnancy not all of these medications are safe or effective. However you should consult first with your doctor before taking anything.
During Pregnancy