Constipation during pregnancy - causes and treatment

While waiting for the birth of a child, many expectant mothers are faced with such an unpleasant phenomenon as indigestion. Such changes begin in the first weeks of pregnancy.

Causes of constipation during pregnancy

Constipation is much more common during pregnancy than in other cases. The main reason is the influence of the hormone progesterone, which is intensively produced in the body of the expectant mother from the first days of pregnancy. It has a relaxing effect on the smooth muscles of the intestines of a woman, which increases the time for food to pass through it. Due to the high absorption of moisture from the intestines, this process becomes even longer, which leads to constipation.

In addition, the constant growth of the uterus, or rather the pressure of this organ on the intestines, makes it difficult for digestion. Factors such as stress, low mobility of a pregnant woman and a low content of ballast substances in food also contribute.

In many ways, the emotional instability of pregnant women affects the digestion process. They have many groundless fears and worries. And the occurrence of constipation brings additional suffering and causes even more stress to the pregnant woman.

Having given birth, many women stop suffering from constipation. This is explained by the fact that both the hormonal background and the mood of the young mother are changing.

Treatment of constipation during pregnancy

Nowadays, a sufficient number of medicines are produced to help cope with digestive problems. But not all of them can be used by pregnant women. Nevertheless, in this matter, it is better to rely on a change in eating habits, increased mobility and the use of predominantly folk remedies.

To combat constipation, you must use in combination:

• Immediately after confirmation of pregnancy, switch to more proper nutrition.
• Adhere to the recommendations of the doctor supervising the pregnancy.
• To solve the problem, use the means of traditional healers.
• Use of special laxative suppositories that are suitable for pregnant women.
• The use of medicines approved for pregnant women.

Be sure to include foods that help improve digestion in your diet. These include dried apricots and prunes, raw beets, bran and buckwheat. Mechanical bowel movements such as enemas should not be used unless absolutely necessary. The fact is that an enema can provoke childbirth or miscarriage... Therefore, before deciding on an enema, it is better to consult with your doctor watching. It is better to use glycerin suppositories that are safe for pregnant women instead of enemas.

From the number of medications for constipation during pregnancy, it is allowed to use Duphalac, Senade or Microlax. These funds will not harm the health of the expectant mother and baby.

But it is best to use natural folk remedies. For example, constipation can be relieved by drinking potato juice. It is squeezed out of raw potatoes and mixed in equal proportions with water. A few minutes before a meal, drink a quarter of a glass of this juice and there will be no digestive problems.

Buckthorn broth has a good laxative effect. To prepare it, you just need to pour boiling water over the dry grass and darken it a little over medium heat. Take this remedy, 100 g twice a day, after having filtered and cooled.

Another effective remedy is sweetened red rowan juice. Juice squeezed from fresh berries is sweetened with sugar and drunk in the morning and before going to bed for a quarter of a glass.

Prevention of constipation during pregnancy

In order not to suffer from constipation during pregnancy, it is better to take some measures and prevent indigestion. Moreover, it is not difficult to do this:

• Consult a dietitian for a balanced diet. It should be dominated by vegetables and fruits with a high fiber content. After eating, you can drink a compote from prunes or dried apricots. Avoid fatty meat. It is better to choose lean varieties and cook meat by boiling or baking.

• Try to avoid stress and bad emotions, do not worry, it is better to think about the good while waiting for the baby.
• Do not stay at home, try to be active. Light physical activity, useful for a pregnant woman, is acceptable.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.