Pregnancy and Constipation

Pregnancy and Constipation: How to avoid Constipation during Pregnancy?

Constipation is a condition in which too much water is absorbed from the large intestine back into the bloodstream, leaving the faeces dry, hard and difficult to expel. Pregnant women may experience constipation, which can be very uncomfortable. Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy. Constipation refers only to bowel movements that are hard in consistency or painful to eliminate. Infrequent bowel movements are not unusual. During pregnancy the muscles in your intestines become more relaxed causing constipation. In the last months of pregnancy, the growing baby puts pressure on the lower intestines.

Constipation is caused because the whole digestive system is influenced by 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.

Symptoms associated with constipation include infrequent bowel movements, hard faeces, straining when passing a motion, cramps and abdominal bloating. In extreme circumstances, a constipated bowel can result in difficulties giving birth.

In order to avoid constipation during pregnancy it is important for pregnant women to look after their diet and maintain regular bowel habits to avoid unnecessary discomfort. Pregnant women should make sure that their diet is rich in fiber and includes plenty of liquid along with regular exercise. That is the best way of guaranteeing normal intestinal activity.

• Eat the food, which is rich in fiber. Fiber is important because it pushes the intestines to work harder. It also absorbs liquid and will help ensure that the faeces do not dry out, but remain soft. The foods like fruits, vegetables, breakfast cereals, whole meal bread and prunes contain lots of fiber. It is a good idea to eat a variety of these foods every day.
• Drinking plenty of fluids is important, particularly with your increase of fiber. Drink 10 to 12 cups of fluids each day. It is the combination of a high fiber diet and lots of liquid that best help you eliminate your waste. If there is not enough liquid in the diet, the process of digestion will slow down, and the faeces will become hard and difficult to pass. A good supplement can be tea, a little coffee or some fruit juice.
• Exercise may increase your need for additional fluids. Exercise gently stimulates the bowel, which leads to improved digestion. If you are inactive, you have a greater chance of constipation. Walking, swimming and other moderate exercises help the intestines work by stimulating your bowels. During pregnancy, walking or swimming for about 20 to 30 minutes, three times a week will help digestion. It will also enhance general well-being and fitness in preparation for the actual delivery.