How Do You Relieve Constipation During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is associated with hormone changes that affect gut motility. Relieve constipation during pregnancy by drinking water, eating more fiber, exercising and taking laxatives.

Pregnancy causes a lot of changes in a woman's body, including an increase in the hormone progesterone. Rising levels of this hormone can slow down gut motility, which is how fast your food and stool move through your intestinal tract. This slowdown can lead to constipation, or trouble passing a bowel movement. It may also mean you don't have as many bowel movements as normal. 

Constipation is a common complaint of women who are pregnant. It affects up to 38% of women at some point during their pregnancy. Constipation can be painful and negatively affect your quality of life. It can also lead to physical problems like hemorrhoids if you don't treat it. 

Symptoms of constipation during pregnancy

Symptoms of constipation can include any of the following:

• Infrequent bowel movements
• Abdominal pain
• Hard, lumpy, or dry stool
• A feeling like all of your stool hasn't passed
• Excessive straining to have a bowel movement 

Causes of constipation during pregnancy

If you are experiencing constipation during pregnancy, it may be a result of one of the following potential causes: 

• Hormone changes in pregnancy
• Reduced activity in pregnancy
• Iron supplementation 
• The baby pressing on the intestines 
• Not enough fiber in your diet 

Who can get constipation during pregnancy?

Any woman who is pregnant can experience constipation, but the following factors may increase your risk:

• Age over 35
• Sedentary job
• Pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) over 24 

Home remedies for constipation during pregnancy include lifestyle changes or over-the-counter medications. The following treatments may help relieve constipation symptoms:

Increase dietary fiber and water

A diet that is low in fiber can contribute to constipation. The two types of dietary fiber are: 

• Soluble Fiber, which blends with water in the intestines and forms a gel-like substance. This type of fiber helps control blood sugar. 
• Insoluble Fiber, which passes through the intestines without being absorbed. It increases the size of your stool and can help you pass it more quickly. 

Increasing the fiber in your diet should be the first step in treating constipation during pregnancy. Foods high in fiber include:

• Bran cereals
• Beans
• Legumes
• Vegetables 
• Fruits
• Chia seeds
• Nuts
• Quinoa

In addition to increasing fiber, increasing your water intake can help with constipation. Women who are pregnant should drink 10 8-ounce glasses of water daily. 

Exercise

A sedentary lifestyle increased the risk of constipation. Increasing your daily exercise can help with constipation. Walking more is one of the best ways to increase your exercise during your pregnancy. It is very low risk and can help with constipation.

Laxatives

There are several different types of laxatives that your doctor may suggest, including:

Bulk-forming laxatives

These laxatives work by increasing the weight of your stool, which makes it easier for the stool to pass through the digestive tract. They take two or three days to work. Your body will not absorb these bulk-forming laxatives, so they are considered safe for long-term use in pregnancy. They may have unwanted side effects such as bloating, gas, and cramping. They may not always be effective. 

Stool softeners

Stool softeners containing docusate sodium are safe to take during pregnancy.  

Lubricant laxatives

Lubricant laxatives such as mineral oil work by coating your stool and digestive tract with a waterproof layer. It keeps water in the stool which makes it softer and easier to pass.

Osmotic laxatives

Osmotic laxatives work by absorbing water into the bowel from surrounding tissues. This softens the stool and increases the action of your bowels. Prolonged use of osmotic laxatives can result in an electrolyte imbalance, which is when there is not a balance in the fluids inside and outside of the cells. 

Stimulant laxatives 

Stimulant laxatives act on the intestinal wall. They increase the muscle contractions of the intestines. They can have unpleasant side effects like cramping. Like osmotic laxatives, prolonged use of stimulant laxatives can cause an electrolyte imbalance.

Because all medications have side effects, you should try increasing fiber, water, and exercise before taking laxatives. If you do need laxatives, talk to your doctor about the best one for your condition. Once you start laxatives, it may take several months to wean off of them. You should only use osmotic and stimulant laxatives short-term. 

Talk to your doctor about seeing a gastroenterologist if you have:

• Bowel habit changes that have lasted longer than six weeks
• Rectal bleeding
• Family history of cancer
• Gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel disease