Constipation During Pregnancy: How To Get Rid Of It?

If you are pregnant and your growing belly is getting bigger, you will probably enjoy it to the full. What makes you less happy is that the organs in your abdomen get less space, including your intestines. This can cause problems with constipation. In this article, we will discuss what is constipation during pregnancy and how to get rid of it. 

What is constipation?

Constipation, also known as blockage, means that your bowel movements do not go smoothly. Regular and easy relief is not possible. We speak of blockage if you can defecate less than 3 times a week.

The stools are often dry and hard and it takes a lot of effort to squeeze them out. Constipation can also cause abdominal complaints such as abdominal pain or bloating. [1]

Due to the hard stools and the high pressure during pressing, constipation can cause hemorrhoids. Did you know that 85% of pregnant women suffer from this? You can also suffer from this after delivery. Very annoying, but nothing to be ashamed of! With these tips you can get rid of it >>

Read Also: How to Relieve Constipation Naturally and Quickly?

Read Also: Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Constipation

Constipation in pregnancy

Here to your hormones are again one of the culprits. Progesterone ensures that your bowels slow down during pregnancy. As a result, you have fewer feces. The stools stay longer in your intestines with the result that more fluid is extracted from it. Your stools can then be drier and harder.

The growth of your uterus also makes your intestines more difficult. As your uterus grows, it will suppress your intestines. This delays the functioning of your intestines because they can work less optimally.

Nutritional advice in the event of constipation

A difficult bowel movement can be very annoying, especially if you also carry a small baby in your belly. Fortunately, you can easily do something about it yourself, for example by watching your diet.

Fiber-rich food

Eating fiber-rich foods such as raw vegetables, fruit, and whole-grain products can help well. You can also add some (coarse) bran to it. You can use this in yogurt, soup, custard, porridge, puree or as a binder instead of breadcrumbs.

In the stool, fibers act like a sponge. They absorb water, making the stools soft and flexible. They also stimulate bowel movement.

Read Also: 21 High Fiber Foods List – You Must Eat

Eat regularly

Also, try to eat at regular times and do not skip meals. This promotes good bowel movements. A good high-fiber breakfast is especially important to get your bowels going.

Drink enough

Sufficient moisture is also a must. If you drink about two liters a day, for example, water or tea, you’re in the right place. Do not drink too many caffeinated drinks such as coffee and be careful with soft drinks and fruit juices, which contain a lot of sugar.

Tips for remedying constipation

In addition to eating and drinking, there are several things to look out for:

Physical exercise. This is very good for bowel movements. Make sure you get enough daily moves, at least 30 minutes per day. Walking, cycling, swimming, it all helps to keep your bowels moving.

Follow pressure. If you feel the urge to go to the toilet immediately. Do not postpone it because you are too busy or because it does not work out for a while. If you ignore the signal too often, your body will warn you less and less that it’s time to go to the toilet. As a result, the stool stays longer in your intestines, with it especially in your colon, the last part, becoming more and drier and harder to squeeze out.

Take your time! Once you are in the toilet, sit quietly for a while. As a result, you relax and even with a less powerful urge, your stools will eventually come naturally.

Poo not ‘hanging’. Always have a disposable toilet cover in your bag. Then you can also sit quietly in a ‘strange’ toilet. “Hanging” above the toilet will not benefit your bowel movements!

Watch your poo attitude. Do not lean forward, but lean back with your back. This is the best posture to ensure that your stools can look good. The route to the outside is then easier.

When to visit the doctor?

Constipation during pregnancy can be annoying or painful for you. All of the above tips do not help and do you continue to keep a heavy burden? Then go to the doctor and discuss it. He can then see if he can prescribe something to make the stools flexible again.