Tips to Handle Constipation during Pregnancy

If you are an expectant mother, you might be experiencing abdominal pain, infrequent bowel movements, or the passage of hard stools quite often. These are all very familiar signs of constipation. There are a number of reasons for constipation during pregnancy, including pressure on the womb, hormonal changes, and the presence of iron in prenatal vitamins, among others.

To be more specific, your body sees an increase in the progesterone hormone when you are pregnant, and it leads to the relaxation of your muscles, including your intestines. This makes your intestines move slower, which results in bad digestion, or for that matter, constipation.

Constipation is very common in pregnant women and is rarely a cause for concern. According to doctors and healthcare experts, it is so common during pregnancy that probably three out of four pregnant women experience bowel issues or constipation at some point. Moreover, there are numerous remedies to deal with constipation or other bowel issues during pregnancy—from over-the-counter medications to natural cures. You must read this article thoroughly if you want to know about the most effective and safest remedies for treating constipation during gestation.

1.  Keep Your Diet High in Fiber

A diet rich in fiber can be very beneficial for you if you are facing the problem of constipation during pregnancy. Apart from treating constipation, a rich-in-fiber diet is also a great source of vitamins as well as antioxidants for pregnant women. It has been recommended by doctors that an expectant woman should consume at least 25 to 30 grams of dietary fiber per day to keep away from constipation and other related issues.

You must be wondering now what some good sources of fiber are, aren’t you? So, let us tell you that we have an answer for you. When planning to make your diet rich in fiber, you can totally rely on fresh vegetables and fruits, beans, prunes, lentils, whole-grain bread, bran cereals, etc.

2.  Never Forget to Stay Hydrated

It is very important to stay hydrated all the time when you are an expectant mother. For some women, it might mean doubling their water intake. You must keep in mind throughout the period of your pregnancy that an expectant woman should drink at least 12 ounces or eight glasses of water every day.

As you will stay well-hydrated during your pregnancy, your bowels will naturally soften and pass easily through your digestive tract. So, if you are pregnant and have bowel-related issues or constipation, you must check if you are drinking enough water or not.

3.  Break Your Food Intake into Smaller Meals

During your pregnancy, avoid having the large meals that you usually have. You should rather break your everyday food intake into a number of smaller meals (5 to 6). It can treat your bowel issues and constipation like nothing else.

Smaller meals will, of course, be easier to digest for the stomach without having to overstress it. It will therefore allow smooth passage of food to the colon and intestine. On the other hand, if you plan to eat large meals, it might overload your stomach, leading to indigestion and then constipation.

4.  Be Active and Keep Moving

Regular physical activity is one of the best ways to deal with constipation or other bowel issues during pregnancy. You must be aware of the amazing fact that exercise or physical activity stimulates your bowels like nothing else. Expectant mothers should exercise at least three times a week to keep away from constipation and bowel issues. The duration of each session should be between twenty and thirty minutes.

Moreover, you may opt for numberless options when it comes to working out during pregnancy. You can choose to walk down your favorite strolling path, swim at the local gym, or even try prenatal yoga. The choice is completely yours!

5.  Coconut Oil May Also Be Helpful

Expert gynecologists and obstetricians around the world believe that coconut oil can be a great natural remedy for treating constipation during pregnancy. According to them, having one or two tablespoons of coconut oil on a daily basis can help lubricate a pregnant woman’s intestines. However, before trying this remedy, you must consult your doctor and follow what they say rather than what others do.

Furthermore, if you don’t like the idea of swallowing a spoonful of coconut oil every day, you can try a number of other ways as well. You can add a spoon or two of coconut oil to your morning coffee, or maybe to a salad, or anything that you like. Just make sure the oil goes well with the substance you are adding it to.

Conclusion:

We are sure that the above-given tips will help you treat your constipation and other bowel issues, and that they will make you feel better than ever during your pregnancy. In the end, we just wish that you live each day of your pregnancy and relish this beautiful feeling to the fullest.