Pregnancy hard stools

How to deal with constipation during pregnancy

Constipation is often an early sign of pregnancy, and sometimes it continues for all nine months (sorry!). Here's what you can do to get relief from pregnancy constipation.

Both of Adele Hedrick’s pregnancies were marred by months of cramping, bloating and gassiness thanks to constipation, which affects 11 to 38 percent of pregnant women. “It added so much more discomfort to pregnancy,” says the Bowmanville, Ont. mom of two. When she developed painful hemorrhoids as a result of straining, Hedrick knew it was time to put some serious effort into softening her stools. “I focused on drinking lots of water and eating whatever fibre I could get my hands on,” she says. “All-Bran was my best friend.”

What causes pregnancy constipation

When you become pregnant, rising levels of the hormone progesterone slow your digestive system to a snail’s pace, and for good reason: your body is absorbing the extra nutrients and fluids it needs to grow a healthy baby. The result, though, is harder stools that are more difficult to pass. This happens so early that it is a first sign of pregnancy for some women, says Suzanne Wong, an OB/GYN at Toronto’s St. Joseph’s Health Centre.

In your second and third trimesters, pressure from your growing uterus on your bowels can exacerbate the problem, and that extra iron and calcium in your prenatal vitamins are binding, so they’re not doing your situation any favours, either. And if you suffered from constipation prior to pregnancy, there’s a good chance you’ll suffer in pregnancy. “The risk of becoming constipated is enhanced if you have a predisposition to it,” says Wong.

While it can make you feel all sorts of awful, it’s rare constipation will lead to anything dangerous. The most severe cases might result in hemorrhoids and anal fissures, caused by pressure on the veins around the rectum; these cause pain and discomfort but don’t put you or your baby in any danger. And there are plenty of natural ways to curb constipation before it gets to that point—prevention, says Wong, is key.

What to do if you get constipated

The best line of defence, according to Calgary registered midwife Nicola Strydom, is threefold: a high-fibre diet, plenty of fluids and moderate physical activity.

Eat a high-fibre diet

“We recommend whole grains and at least five portions of fruits and vegetables a day,” says Strydom. For some, that’s easier said than done: “I couldn’t stand greens while pregnant,” says Hedrick. “The absence of them likely contributed to my constipation.” But there are enough high-fibre foods that if you develop an aversion to one, you can surely pick up the pace with another. Consider dried fruit, hummus, oatmeal, lentils and bran.

Drink plenty of fluids

It’s recommended that women drink 10 cups of fluids daily during pregnancy, but if you think that much water is too much to down, don’t worry—other liquids count too. Often something warm first thing in the morning, like herbal tea or hot lemon water, is enough to get things going.

Try moderate physical activity

You needn’t embark on a complicated or time-consuming exercise routine to solve your constipation woes. Experts say adding a 20- to 30-minute walk each day can be enough to stimulate digestion.

Change or add supplements

If you’re eating well and exercising, and you’re still constipated, Strydom suggests changing vitamins until you find a brand that’s less constipating. A fibre supplement like Metamucil can also get you out of your bind and is considered safe in pregnancy. Never take a laxative or stool softener to treat constipation, though, without first speaking with your health care provider, says Wong.

While Hedrick found temporary relief in water and All-Bran (“I sprinkled it on everything,” she says), long-term relief didn’t come until after delivery when she was able to return to her pre-pregnancy diet, which included “a lot of dark, leafy greens” as opposed to “fully loaded cheeseburgers.” Despite her experience, though, Hedrick says she’d do it all over again: “There are no pregnancy discomforts that could have held me back from having children,” she says.

Postpartum constipation—you’re not done pushing yet

Delivery doesn’t necessarily mean an end to your constipation woes. (And be warned: the first bowel movement post-delivery can require some courage. If you delivered vaginally, your perineal area is still healing, and you’ll want to be careful not to disturb any stitches.) The combination of extra iron supplements (to make up for any blood loss), narcotics (in the case of a C-section), limited mobility (because, well, you just had a baby) and a fear of pain while straining to go can all contribute to postpartum constipation. If this is the case, says Wong, the same rules of pregnancy constipation apply: stick to high-fibre foods (aim for 25 grams a day), hydrate and move around as much as you can. And finally, if you’re offered a stool softener right after delivery, accept it. Trust us on this one.

This article was originally published in August 2017 and has since been updated.

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Constipation During Pregnancy | American Pregnancy Association

Constipation during pregnancy is a common problem and nearly half of all pregnant women get constipated at some point. Constipation occurs when there is abdominal pain or discomfort, difficult and infrequent bowel movements, and the passage of hard stools.

What causes constipation during pregnancy?

In general, worry, anxiety, minimal physical exercise, and a low-fiber diet may cause constipation. Constipation during pregnancy is due to the increase in progesterone hormones that relax the intestinal muscle causing food and waste to move slower through your system.

Sometimes iron tablets may contribute to constipation. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water if you are taking iron supplements. You may need to switch to a different type of iron tablet, but it is important to talk to your health care provider first.

How can I prevent or treat constipation during pregnancy?

Prevention and treatment of constipation involve many of the same steps.

Here are a few things that you can do to help prevent constipation from occurring or treat it if you are already experiencing it:

Eat a high fiber diet: Ideally, you will consume 25 to 30 grams per day of dietary fiber from fruits, vegetables, breakfast cereals, whole-grain bread, prunes, and bran. This helps ensure bulkier stools that are easier to poop.
Drink a lot of fluids: Drinking plenty of fluids is important, particularly when increasing fiber intake helps ensure softer stools. Drink 10 to 12 cups of fluids each day. It is the combination of a high fiber diet and plenty of liquids that best help you eliminate your waste. Sweat, hot/humid climates, and exercise may increase your need for additional fluids.
Exercise routinely: If you are inactive, you have a greater chance of constipation. Walking, swimming and other moderate exercises will help the intestines work by stimulating your bowels. Schedule exercise three times a week for 20-30 minutes each.
Over-the-counter remedies: There are over-the-counter products such as Metamucil (Category B) which may help soften your bowel movements and reduce constipation. Always speak to your health care provider before using over-the-counter medications.
Reduce or eliminate iron supplements: Iron supplements may contribute to constipation. Good nutrition can often meet your iron needs during pregnancy. Taking smaller doses of iron throughout the day rather than taking it all at once can reduce constipation. Talk to your health care provider about checking your iron levels and recommendations to manage iron intake during pregnancy. Find natural ways to get iron here.

What remedies should not be used for constipation during pregnancy?

Laxative pills are NOT recommended for the treatment of constipation during pregnancy because they might stimulate uterine contractions and cause dehydration. Talk to your doctor about taking an over-the-counter fiber supplement or a laxative or stool softener.

Mineral oils should NOT be used during pregnancy because they reduce nutrient absorption.

Is constipation during pregnancy ever serious?

Usually not, but occasionally constipation during pregnancy can be a symptom of another problem. If you have severe constipation that’s accompanied by abdominal pain, alternates with diarrhea, or you pass mucus or blood, call your doctor or midwife immediately.

Also, straining during a bowel movement or passing a hard stool can lead to or worsen hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the rectal area. Hemorrhoids can be extremely uncomfortable, though they rarely cause serious problems. In most cases, they go away fairly soon after your baby is born. However, if the pain is severe, or if you have rectal bleeding, call your doctor.

Want to Know More?

Nordic Naturals Probiotic Comfort – Supports regularity and alleviates bloating
Laxatives During Pregnancy
7 Discomforts of Pregnancy
Gas During Pregnancy

Compiled using information from the following sources:
Mayo Clinic Guide To A Healthy Pregnancy Harms, Roger W., M.D., et al, Part 3.
William’s Obstetrics Twenty-Second Ed. Cunningham, F. Gary, et al, Ch. 8.

Constipation in pregnant women - what to do? Obstetrician-gynecologist consults: articles of the Oxford Medical Medical Center Ivano-Frankivsk

Deba Victoria Tarasovna - obstetrician-gynecologist of the Oxford Medical Medical Center.

Pregnancy is a special condition during which a woman needs attention, care and safety. When you carry a separate life under your heart, you feel a special responsibility, you try to pay more attention to your health, you create optimal conditions for your environment. This condition is difficult to describe in words, therefore, I think that every pregnant woman will simply understand me.

Unfortunately, during pregnancy, our body also throws out not very pleasant things: toxicosis, swelling, mood variability. Did you know that the most common problem during pregnancy is constipation?

Why does pregnancy get constipated?

Normally, defecation should be 1 time per day. According to statistics, eight out of ten women go to the doctor with complaints of constipation. So what is the connection between pregnancy and a tendency to constipation?

It so happened that anatomically, the uterus and intestines in women have a common innervation. Accordingly, during pregnancy, the woman's body mobilizes all the forces to ensure that the uterus is relaxed. And next to the uterus, the intestines relax. This process is activated by the pregnancy hormone, progesterone.

Therefore, a pregnant woman can, at best, once every 1-2 weeks go to the stool. Of course, this is accompanied by discomfort, flatulence, abdominal pain. This process is also facilitated by a decrease in physical activity, reduced water intake due to fear of edema, compression of the intestines by the uterus.

It is worth noting that taking certain drugs, such as iron and calcium supplements, which are recommended for pregnant women, also causes constipation.

What can complicate constipation?

As stool stagnates in the intestines, it becomes hard due to the constant absorption of fluid in the large intestine. The exit of solid feces from the rectum is accompanied by constant attempts in a woman, and this can very soon lead to the appearance of hemorrhoids. Also, hard feces irritate the walls of the anus, which creates a risk of anal fissures.

Tips for pregnancy nutrition

In order to eliminate the problem of constipation and prevent the occurrence of complications, it is worth reviewing your diet and making certain adjustments. Let's start with drinking water: it is worth drinking at least 1.5 liters of water. If this amount causes swelling, it is worth consulting with a leading ob-gyn to eliminate this problem.

In the future, completely avoid during pregnancy such foods as:

chocolate;
mushrooms;
legumes;
sweets;
strong tea and strong coffee;
hard cheeses;
smoked sausages;
spices;
animal fats;
white bread, etc.

It is easy to understand that everyone who sees this list will at least want to cry, because how can one refuse this yummy? And we will provide options for wonderful alternatives that will be both tasty and healthy for a pregnant woman:

fiber-rich foods: greens, apples (raw and baked), green beans, whole grain bread;
baked pumpkin, pumpkin cream soup;
dried fruits;
sweet fruits: kiwi, bananas;
fermented milk products (preferably in the first and second trimester, not recommended in the third)
boiled rabbit meat, chicken;
obligatory ratio of meat to vegetables - 1: 2 (zucchini, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, etc. ).

And the main warning for pregnant women - do not prescribe laxatives yourself! After all, most of them are contraindicated during pregnancy. In case of constipation, consult a doctor!

I wish you only pleasure from pregnancy! Be healthy!

Published: 03/20/2020

Updated: 03/20/20200005

Co-author, editor and medical expert - Klimovich Elina Valerievna.

Number of Views: 53,923

Last Updated: 11/24/2022

Average Read Time: 4 minutes

Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy. About 75% of women complain of problems with bowel movements during pregnancy. At the same time, these difficulties remain in about a third of women after childbirth.

Contents:

Detailed description of the symptoms
What constipation can cause in a pregnant woman

Our body constantly produces substances that stimulate bowel movements. During pregnancy, the susceptibility of the intestinal muscles to various kinds of irritants is significantly reduced. The change in the intensity of intestinal reactions is due to the fact that it has a common innervation * with the uterus, because of this, any excessive activation of peristalsis can provoke contractile activity of the uterus. This can be a threat to the child. Unfortunately, this defensive reaction has unpleasant consequences - constipation. Often they occur between 17 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Clinically, constipation in pregnant women is manifested by several main symptoms:

stool retention for more than 3 days and problems with passing gases, flatulence;
unpleasant feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowels;
the need to strain during bowel movements;
painful stools;
"sheep feces" (hard, dry, fragmented feces).

In the event of constipation, you should always seek medical advice, especially if you notice deterioration and pain.

Detailed description of symptoms

Constipation is characterized by decreased stool frequency. It happens that a pregnant woman manages to empty her intestines only once a week or less. The consistency of feces changes, discomfort and pain in the abdomen (often in its left half), there is a feeling of dissatisfaction after the stool.

Atonic constipation is characterized by very painful defecation, which occurs with great difficulty. Due to microscopic tears of the mucous membrane of the anus, streaks of blood may appear on the surface of the feces. Spasmodic constipation is characterized by fragmented stools ("sheep feces"). This condition is often accompanied by flatulence, a feeling of pressure, expansion, spasmodic pains in the abdomen. With prolonged constipation, there may be a feeling of lethargy, fatigue, a significant decrease in efficiency.

Pain in a pregnant woman occurs for no apparent reason or may be the result of excitement or physical exertion. Attacks of acute pain or exacerbation of constant discomfort, as a rule, are associated with negative emotions. The pain can be of varying strength, for example, in some cases it radiates to the lower back, leg, anus, and even the genitals. In some pregnant women, along with abdominal pain, there is a burning sensation in the rectum and itching in the anus. Nausea, bitterness in the mouth are often noted; passing gases is difficult.

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What constipation can cause in a pregnant woman

Feces in the rectum, which a pregnant woman cannot get rid of for a long time, bring her considerable discomfort. However, these are not the only consequences of constipation.