Feeling bloated and facing difficulties in motion? That’s constipation when you seriously cannot empty your bowels no matter how hard you try. It feels worse when you are pregnant.
Getting pregnant is a blessing! But the nine-month duration of pregnancy brings a lot of challenges, and constipation is one of them.
Why does constipation occur during pregnancy?
Hormonal changes in the body and other lifestyle or food habits can cause constipation during pregnancy. Some of the reasons that can cause trouble in emptying the bowels include:
- The growing foetus: During pregnancy, your uterus grows because it carries the baby inside. As it increases in size, it puts extra pressure on your bowels, making it difficult to throw out the waste from your body.
- Too much iron: Your doctor must have prescribed some prenatal vitamins high in iron. If yes, then high iron content can make it harder for the bacteria to break down the food, making bowel movements tight. Though iron is essential to carry oxygen in your and your baby’s body, you must drink lots of water to soften the waste. Not drinking water and high iron content can make constipation a big problem.
- Progesterone: During pregnancy, your body makes higher progesterone. It slows down the intestines and bowel movements, further improving nutrient absorption in the body. But the food you eat rests for a longer time in the intestine, which becomes complicated when you try to push that out.
- Low exercise: Pregnancy can bring its own turns and twists for a female. Without enough exercise, your digestive system may slow down to remove the waste out of your body.
How to treat constipation during pregnancy?
These are the ways you can treat constipation during pregnancy:
- Drink plenty of water: You must drink about 8-12 cups of water daily. Water and other liquids will help to keep your stools soft, making it easy for you to push that out faster.
- Include fibre in your diet: How about making a fibre-rich diet? When you eat right, everything is right on the health front. Pregnancy can cause slow movements, but the fibres can soften the stools, making them easy to pass through. Avoid excessively greasy or fatty food that is hard to digest.
- Exercise: It won’t hurt you or your baby. Instead, when you keep active during pregnancy, it is better. You consume all the vitamins and minerals to gain strength. Body activities and exercises help you to push your body waste out smoothly.
What if it still doesn’t help?
Well, there is nothing that cannot be solved. However, you should meet your gynaecologist if your constipation is taking a toll on you despite trying everything.
Doctors are capable of measuring your body profile, and they can suggest the best alternative. If you are still confused about whom to refer to, visit Dr Smiti. She is a well-experienced and famous doctor who has treated thousands of pregnancy cases over the last few years.
Her clinic is equipped to offer you immediate treatment. Read more about Dr Smiti and her clinic at https://drsmitiwomensclinic.in/.
