Irish Visitors Click HerePregnancy & Constipation
Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life. Nothing can compare to the wonder of feeling a new life growing inside you. Yet with the wonder comes a number of health complaints – and one of the most common of these is constipation.
A quarter of expectant mums suffer from constipation during their pregnancy, many of whom have never had constipation before.*
In fact, it is among the top three most uncomfortable complaints listed by pregnant women*.
Why does constipation affect so many women during these precious months? Basically, when you are pregnant, your body experiences many changes. Your habits change, too; you may eat different things or you may be taking supplements recommended by your doctor. These are all contributing factors.
See below for more information about constipation relief during pregnancy.
*Senokot ‘Health Taboos Uncovered’ survey conducted by YouGov in March 2005.
Common causes
Put simply, constipation during pregnancy can be caused by hormones, dietary changes and the pressure of the growing baby.
Hormones
During pregnancy, hormonal changes can affect bowel movements. The body produces more progesterone, which relaxes the muscles to allow the baby to grow. However, the wall of the intestine is made of muscle, too. As the progesterone makes it relax, it can become less efficient at moving along food and waste.
Diet and supplements
Many women take iron supplements during pregnancy which can also be a contributing factor to constipation. Tastes can change at this time and many women alter their diet. This change in eating habits can also affect bowel activity, particularly if it means a reduction in fibre-rich foods.
The pressure’s on...
As the baby grows, it puts increasing pressure on the bowel. The discomfort of its weight and general tiredness may lead to a lack of exercise. Both can slow down bowel movements.
A growing problem?
Haemorrhoids
Constipation during pregnancy often goes hand in hand with haemorrhoids. As a result of straining to go to the toilet, constipation can aggravate or cause haemorrhoids. They often disappear by themselves shortly after the baby is born but, while present, they can be very itchy or even painful. Pelvic floor exercises can help, by improving the blood flow to the area. Otherwise, taking steps to relieve constipation goes a long way towards dealing with haemorrhoids. Senokot Hi-Fibre Drink works naturally with your body to allow you to go to the loo without undue straining. If you are experiencing a lot of discomfort, consult your doctor.
Post-natal constipation
Even after pregnancy, some 29% of women continue to get constipation.* Women who have had an episiotomy or tear may subconsciously hold back bowel movements for fear of aggravating the wound.
Senokot Hi-Fibre
Senokot Hi-fibre is a natural fibre drink that can help to gently relieve constipation. It’s suitable to use during pregnancy and works naturally with your body to take care of constipation.
(Contains ispaghula husk - always read the label and consult a doctor before using any medicines in pregnancy).
Constipation relief during pregnancy
First of all, do not worry too much. There are a number of things you can do to help get your digestive system moving again during this time.
Increase your fibre intake
Your digestive system can do with a little help during this exciting time. Eating more fibre-rich foods, like fruit, vegetables, cereals and wholemeal bread, will help provide the necessary roughage to keep your system moving.
Drink plenty of fluids
Drinking a lot of fluid helps keep the stool soft and easy to pass. At least 7-8 glasses a day is recommended. You can drink as much water and fruit juices (particularly prune juice) as you like. It’s better to drink water, but even a little tea or coffee counts towards the total.
Make sure you get enough exercise
Although you may feel heavy and uncomfortable, exercise helps prevent your digestive system becoming 'sluggish'. Safe exercise during pregnancy includes walking, swimming, yoga and other low-impact activity where there is little chance of sprains or accidents. Approximately 20-30 minutes of exercise two or three times a week can have a beneficial effect, not only for your digestive system, but also your general well-being.
Your doctor may suggest a remedy
There are gentle remedies that can help to soften bowel movements and relieve constipation, such as Senokot Hi-Fibre drink. It works naturally with your body to help take care of constipation. Consult your doctor to discuss the options.
Antenatal supplements
If you are taking a supplement, you may want to talk to your doctor about changing to a different type of antenatal supplement. If you are taking iron supplements, make sure you drink the minimum recommendation of 7-8 glasses of water a day.
Post-natal care
Congratulations! There is a brand new person in your life who has captured your heart. If you had an episiotomy or tear, try not to hold back your stools. This will only make them sit in the bowel for longer, making them harder and more difficult to pass, aggravating constipation. Try gently holding a clean gauze over the stitches when you go. More than anything, it gives you peace of mind that the wound won’t reopen during the bowel movement – an unlikely event in any case. Keep stools soft by eating lots of fibre and drinking plenty of water. If necessary, talk to your doctor about taking a constipation remedy such as Senokot Hi-Fibre drink, a natural fibre drink that gently helps to take care of constipation.
Should I worry?
However unpleasant, be assured that constipation is rarely serious and does not harm your baby.
However, if your constipation is persistent and causing a lot of discomfort, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.
The New Arrival
Even babies can suffer from time to time. Click here to find out about baby constipation.
- View interactive animations of how the digestive system works
- Find out what the symptoms of constipation are
- Read Dr. Mark Porter's article on 'What is constipation?'
- Try our interactive test to see if your digestive system is up to scratch
