• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Pregnancy Logo 2018

Pregnancy Magazine

Pregnancy and infancy news, tips, and reviews

“Great
  • Pregnancy
  • Labor & Delivery
  • Baby
  • Breastfeeding
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Buyer’s Guide

How to kick pregnancy constipation to the curb

05/01/2015 by Lizzie Goodman Leave a Comment

What goes on in the bathroom stays in the bathroom, which is why no one seems to talk about one of the least pleasant side effects of pregnancy – constipation. If you've just received a positive pregnancy test, you're most likely wondering why nothing's happening down there. Let's talk about why this happens and what you can do to get more comfortable.

The back story

Constipation is not a subject matter people clamor to discuss. It can be embarrassing, uncomfortable and downright frustrating. How do you know if you're suffering from it? You won't have a bowel movement for three or more days and they may be difficult to pass. Feeling alone in your misery? Well, don't. Constipation affects more than half of all pregnant women at some point during gestation.

Constipation and the accompanying discomfort and bloating are some of the first signs of early pregnancy. Due to those pesky pregnancy hormones – progesterone in particular – the muscles that move food along through your body seem to take a break. If you're dutiful about taking your vitamins, you should be getting an extra dose of iron, too. Iron has been known to cause constipation – making it all the more difficult for expectant moms to keep things moving smoothly.

What you can do

First, it's always a good idea to track and report any uncomfortable symptoms or side effects to your health care provider. He or she can help you adjust your diet and lifestyle to offer relief when you need it.

Your doctor or midwife will most likely make some of these recommendations:

  • Fiber: During pregnancy, women should consume between 25 and 30 micrograms of fiber. Foods that are rich in fiber include whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and legumes.
  • Water: When you're expecting, you need an increase in water intake to provide for baby. More fluids keep things lubricated, which in turn, will help everything move more smoothly in the bathroom. Aim for 10-12 8-ounce cups of water each day.
  • Exercise: Gentle exercises such as walking or swimming help wake up your intestines by stimulating your bowels. Clear any new exercise routine with your doctor or midwife first.

The bottom line

Constipation is an uncomfortable side effect of pregnancy that more than half of all moms-to-be suffer through. With simple lifestyle changes and a chat with your health care provider, you can be on your way to feeling lighter soon.

Filed Under: Pregnancy Health

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

More to See

The perfect workout for pregnant women (sponsored)

03/28/2019 By Isa Herrera, MSPT CSCS

hospital birth

Hospital Birth in a Pandemic: 5 Easy Ways to Gain Peace of Mind

03/26/2021 By Sarah Moore

sleep through the night

Get Your Baby to Sleep through the Night in ONE day!

03/10/2021 By Elizabeth Pantley

Footer

Copyright 2021 Pregnancy Magazine Group

Emails powered by Wishpond: PregnancyWishpond

Dedicated WordPress hosting: PregnancyFlywheel

WordPress Theme: PregnancyTheme

This website provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for an examination by your healthcare provider. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Please review the Terms of Use before using this site. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use.

 

Recent

  • Staying healthy while pregnant this spring
  • Hospital Birth in a Pandemic: 5 Easy Ways to Gain Peace of Mind
  • Get Your Baby to Sleep through the Night in ONE day!
  • What expecting mothers need to know to cope with nesting
  • Risks of marijuana use during pregnancy: Expecting mothers need to know

Search

© Copyright 2021 Pregnancy Magazine Group · All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.