How To Cope With Pregnancy Constipation

Pregnancy is full of embarrassing and uncomfortable physical changes – and constipation is undoubtedly one of them. Almost every pregnant woman in America suffers from pregnancy constipation. But fortunately, since this is a well-known fact, there are many home remedies and treatments that have been developed and spread widely by doctors.

First, one of the best cures for pregnancy constipation – or any health condition for that matter – is prevention. Be aware that constipation will occur during almost every trimester of your pregnancy, although it’s less prominent in the first trimester. Be prepared by structuring your diet around whole grains, fiber and complex carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables. This will help keep your system regular and may allow you to avoid pregnancy constipation at first.

You can also avoid certain foods to help prevent or ease pregnancy constipation. Certain foods, such as cheese, corn and other starchy vegetables, as well as fried foods, can really affect your bowel health. Due to the high rate of pregnancy constipation, it’s best to avoid processed cheese completely, as this is the worst enemy of a healthy bowel system.

If you don’t follow this diet, if it does not work or if you already suffer from pregnancy constipation, you still have many avenues to prevent and treat pregnancy constipation. Keep in mind that this diet will help, even if you don’t see immediate results. Your doctor may also allow you to take fiber supplements to attempt to regulate your digestive system. 

However, it’s important that you don’t take any type of laxative without your doctor’s approval. There are many laxatives that can be harmful to your baby or cause pre-mature labor. Fortunately, there are also a number of very safe and effective laxatives that your doctor can recommend. It’s best to ensure that your doctor is aware of all medical conditions and medications that you take – you should never take a medication while pregnant without your doctor’s approval.

This includes the herbal constipation remedies that are found over the counter at your local pharmacy or at health food stores. While these products are some of the most natural remedies for pregnancy constipation, you may not be aware of all of the effects of digesting the herb. And while your grandmother may swear by a particular remedy, we know much more now medically than she did – the herbs that worked for her may carry risks for you and your baby that are completely unnecessary.

In addition, there are several things you can do at home to help you cope with pregnancy constipation. If you begin to feel cramping from constipation, you may want to lie down. You won’t be able to feel relief until you relax your body and you must also get the baby’s weight off of your bowels. Lying on your side is the best way to do this.

You should also drink lots of water. Water is very important in battling pregnancy constipation. As a pregnant woman, you should be drinking at least ten glasses of water each day, although you should be drinking eight 8 oz glasses of water every day, regardless of whether or not you’re pregnant. If you’re battling pregnancy constipation, you should increase this to at least 12 glasses of water each day to ease the passage of waste from your body.