The offender of pregnancy constipation is an increase in the hormone progesterone which relaxes smooth muscles throughout the body, including the digestive tract. This means that food passes through the intestines more slowly. And the issue could be compounded later on in pregnancy by the added pressure of your growing uterus on your rear end. Iron supplements, especially in high doses, can make constipation worse.
I feel for you, I’ve been in the same boat. It’s been awful, and I’ve been so afraid of going to the bathroom that I’ve actually cried. But I’m 38 weeks now, and I’ve only had seven days of trouble-free potty going in the last few months. I think I have it under control now.
I found a thread on another site that had some great advice from other members.
Congestion is unfortunately a common symptom during pregnancy that is caused by an excess of the hormone progesterone impacting the smooth muscle in the colon. The good news is, there are things you can do to help ease the congestion like getting regular exercise, staying hydrated, and eating a high-fiber diet. Additionally, taking a stool softener like Fybogel is usually safe for pregnant women, but if you find that it’s not working for you, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for other recommendations.
Thank you for the advice. I am having negative pains and I think they may be because my spouse and I cannot go to the toilet. Only recently discovered that people tend to be pregnant, and it’s been a roller coaster of a ride. We have an appointment every week… grrr… Our health care worker appointment to discuss things like this may not be until March 16, so we need to do something. The pain was so bad today that I was in bed with my feet up. It hurts too much to go to work. This worries me because I have also been spotting.
Constipation, difficulty obtaining normal bowel movements or even BMs, is certainly typical during pregnancy. This does not mean that you have to suffer from constipation or irregular, difficult bowel movements and the pain associated with them – it can even cause hemorrhoids. There are steps you can take to help things move along.
You can try eating more fiber-rich foods, drinking plenty of fluids and exercising regularly to help relieve constipation during pregnancy. If these home remedies don’t work, talk to your doctor about other options such as stool softeners or laxatives.
Altered hormone levels during pregnancy can impact digestive tract movements because our bodies produce more progesterone. This hormone relaxes the muscles to allow the fetus to develop, but it also affects the muscles in the walls of the intestine. Since progesterone makes these muscles relax, they are less efficient at moving food through the digestive system and this can lead to constipation during pregnancy. Constipation during pregnancy may also be caused by changes in diet and the pressure of the growing fetus on the digestive system.
It’s important to take note of when you need to go to the washroom. Often, you’ll see the need first thing in the morning or about half an hour after you’ve eaten lunch. These are great times to try to relieve yourself. Additionally, give yourself enough time and privacy. Although, if you have any children with you, this might be easier said than done.
The connection between pregnancy and constipation is very real – in fact, over half of all pregnant women experience periods of constipation at some point during their pregnancy. But what is the true link between pregnancy and constipation? The stress of being pregnant can certainly contribute to constipation issues, but so can poor diet, dehydration, travel, medication side effects, lack of exercise, or any of the other known causes of constipation. There’s a clear link between pregnancy and congestion, but what exactly is causing it?
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