Up to 2 out of 5 people experience constipation at some point during pregnancy. Common causes of constipation during pregnancy include hormonal changes, medicine and supplement use, and not getting enough fibre in your diet.
Constipation during pregnancy may be caused by pregnancy hormones and the weight of your growing uterus, which can affect the process of how your body breaks down food after you eat (digestion). Here's what you can do to help relieve constipation during pregnancy: Drink lots of water.
Fluid: Drinking enough water is important to keep stool soft and easy to pass. If a person feels that water is not helping, they can try adding clear soups, teas, and naturally sweetened fruit or vegetable juices to their diet. Activity: Being active helps stool move through the intestines.
Will straining during pregnancy hurt the baby? For most pregnancies that are progressing without any issues, straining isn't a huge concern. "Straining won't harm the baby, but it can lead to hemorrhoids and anal fissures which can be very painful and uncomfortable for mom," says Dr. Hamilton.
As a result, your digestion slows down. This can lead to pregnancy-related bloating as well as constipation — both of which can bring on crampy feelings in your abdomen. Your discomfort is probably digestion-related if passing gas or having a bowel movement provides some short-term relief.
Is constipation during pregnancy ever serious? Usually not, but occasionally constipation during pregnancy can be a symptom of another problem. If you have severe constipation that's accompanied by abdominal pain, alternates with diarrhea, or you pass mucus or blood, call your doctor or midwife immediately.
Your health care provider might also recommend a laxative. Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium (Metamucil, Konsyl, others) and polycarbophil (FiberCon, Equalactin, others) are typically considered safe to use during pregnancy because they aren't absorbed by the body.
Fiber softens your stools so that they're easier to pass. You can get fiber from fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, peas and lentils. Take the time to measure how many grams you're getting from the foods you're eating. If you're constipated, it's likely that you're not eating enough fiber.
Pregnant women should also talk with their doctor if they have been pooping less than three times weekly for a few weeks or are experiencing severe symptoms.
If you're newly pregnant, constipation can be an early symptom. It's caused by an increase in progesterone, which relaxes smooth muscles throughout the body, including the digestive tract. This means that food passes through the intestines more slowly.
If you are unable to have a bowel movement in one week (six days), it's time to seek help from a doctor. Bacteria from fecal matter that collects around your colon could spread and cause infections in other parts of your body. Rectal bleeding may be one of these signs.
Constipation during pregnancy is extremely common. In fact, up to half of women will experience constipation at some point during pregnancy. Pregnancy constipation (and traditional constipation) are both defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week and are associated with small, hard, dry, stool.
If you cannot poop for a day or so while pregnant, it is very unlikely that it will hurt your baby. Though a pressure buildup that results from a constipated abdomen can make you worry for your baby, it is harmless for them.
Constipated patients may feel tightness in their abdomen, or a sharp, cramping pain deep in their gut. They may also feel full all the time—as if they've just eaten a large meal—even when they haven't eaten for several hours. Patients may also feel gassy, but passing gas does not relieve discomfort.
Tip #5: Try abdominal massage
Always check with your health care provider before giving it a try. Pro Tip: Stool moves from your bottom right side, up and across just under the ribs, and then down the left side through the colon and out. Gently smooth your hand along this route several times to help stimulate movement.
Common causes of constipation during pregnancy include hormonal changes, medicine and supplement use, and not getting enough fibre in your diet.
Is constipation a sign of labour? No, it isn't, in fact, most women will experience the need to go to the toilet as the body tries to empty the bowels before labour begins.
For most pregnant women, constipation starts during their first trimester, usually after week 8, when the hormone progesterone steadily increases. However, every woman is an individual, and some women who experience constipation during pregnancy may not do so until their second or third trimester.
“It can start in the first trimester and even continue for days or weeks after the birth,” Lamppa says. But don't worry, having early constipation in pregnancy doesn't necessarily mean you'll be plugged up for months on end.
Tenesmus is a frequent urge to go to the bathroom without being able to go. It usually affects your bowels, but sometimes your bladder. Severe inflammation that irritates the nerves involved in pooping or peeing is often the cause. Your nerves overreact, telling your muscles that you constantly have to go.
No Bowel Movements for More Than One Week
If you do not pass any bowel movements for over one week, Dr. Bedford added that is an additional reason to seek medical attention.