Constipation during pregnancy: what to do at home?

Pregnancy is an interesting state of a woman, filled with the most positive emotions. Unfortunately, almost every patient is faced with unpleasant surprises. One of them is constipation during pregnancy. What to do in such a situation? Can I cope with discomfort at home? This will be discussed in the article.

What is constipation?

Before you talk about what to do with constipation during pregnancy, you should understand what is meant by this ailment.

Constipation is a disease associated with a violation of the intestines. It manifests itself as a lack of bowel movement. At the same time, the patient’s health condition noticeably worsens: a feeling of bloating and slight discomfort appear. Treatment is prescribed if the intestines do not empty for more than 48 hours.

Why does constipation occur during pregnancy?

If you believe the statistics, then every third patient in gynecology faces severe constipation during pregnancy. What to do in such a situation? If stool is absent for more than two days, then a consultation with a doctor is mandatory. The specialist will prescribe competent treatment, depending on what caused the ailment. In total, several causes of constipation can be distinguished:

1. At the time when the embryo is forming and growing, the mother’s body “works” in order to create the necessary conditions for this. In almost all women during this period, the hormone progesterone is in excess. It helps to relax the muscular muscles of the intestine, which makes it difficult for him to cope with his usual task.
2. Another factor slowing down bowel movements is prolonged stress. All future mothers worry about their baby; think about how the birth and postpartum recovery will go. Negative emotions negatively affect the state of health.
3. Many women during pregnancy consume less fluid than a person should. Accordingly, feces become dense and cannot pass through the intestinal walls on their own.
4. Most often, patients ask themselves what to do with constipation in late pregnancy? It is in the third trimester that a similar problem is very common. This is due to the large load on the intestines and digestive tract.

Also, the patient should think about whether she is eating right. There are cases when constipation is formed after eating harmful high-calorie foods.

Is it possible to treat constipation during pregnancy?

The most dangerous is constipation in the early stages of pregnancy. What to do if bowel movement does not occur? First of all, you need to relax. Any stress and nervous strain will only exacerbate the situation. The second important step is to contact a specialist. Many expectant mothers are in no hurry to see a doctor, hoping that the malaise will go away on their own. If you do not deal with the treatment of constipation in a timely manner, then negative consequences may occur:

• Absorption into the blood of harmful substances released from food debris.
• Excessive weight gain.
• The appearance of a feeling of bloating and discomfort.
• The formation of swelling of the extremities.
• The most dangerous ailment is regular constipation, from which hemorrhoids can form. The uterus will always be in a state of tension, which can trigger a miscarriage.

Sometimes constipation is chronic. The consequences in this case appear slightly different: inflammation of the intestine or anus fissure.

Diet change

As it turned out, many expectant mothers are taken aback by such a problem as constipation during pregnancy. What to do with them? First of all, you need to change your diet. Thus, constipation can be treated without taking medication.

There are a number of products that serve as a “scrub” for the stomach. They cleanse the intestinal wall, thin the feces and propel them forward.

• All varieties of raw vegetables and fruits. The more they will be present in the diet, the better for the patient.
• Black bread.
• Bran.
• Dried fruits. Laxative effect causes prunes. But do not overdo it with the use of this product.
• Boiled cereals on water or milk: oatmeal, oatmeal, buckwheat, barley.
• Lean meat.

It is strictly forbidden to introduce products that increase gas formation into the diet during the period of malaise. They can make the situation even worse. Therefore, it is necessary to completely exclude: all varieties of cabbage, spinach, beans and peas.

With constipation, it is recommended to increase the amount of fluid consumed - up to 1.5–2 liters per day.

As it turned out, the lack of stool can adversely affect the health of the mother and her baby. Therefore, it is very important to timely be puzzled by the question of what to do with constipation during pregnancy.

Glycerin candles

“I am constipated in early pregnancy. What to do?". How often these phrases can be heard in the gynecologist’s office. In most cases, experts prescribe the safest drug for this case - glycerin suppositories.

A laxative has a double effect on the body:

• It makes the bowel wall contract. This helps to speed up the removal of food residues from the body in a natural way.
• It liquefies stool, making it easier to go out.

Important. Glycerin-based suppositories are forbidden to be taken in the early stages if there is a threat of miscarriage.

Features of the treatment of constipation in the first trimester

The main reason for stool disorders in the first trimester is the acceleration of hormone production. Accordingly, a similar problem is already natural in the early stages of embryo formation. So, constipation appeared in the first trimester of pregnancy. What to do with this ailment? It is worth sorting out in more detail.

Doctors do not recommend taking any laxatives until 12 weeks have passed from the date of conception. This is due to the fact that the ingress of elements of chemical origin into the blood can adversely affect the health of the mother and baby. It is necessary to try to establish the functioning of the intestines independently as follows:

• Every morning it is recommended to drink one glass of warm water on an empty stomach. Normally, after 10-15 minutes, a natural urge to the toilet should occur. You can add 1 teaspoon of honey or a few drops of lemon juice to the liquid.
• Drink herbal infusions daily from the collection of chamomile, sage, wild rose and wild strawberries. This is best done a few hours before bedtime.

The above methods will not bring the desired result if the patient continues to eat improperly. Establishing a diet plays a decisive role in constipation. If natural defecation has not occurred, then a specialist prescribes glycerin suppositories.

Features of treatment in the second and third trimester

Constipation occurs less frequently during pregnancy from 2 trimesters. What to do in this case? According to gynecologists, by the 12th week all the main “bookmarks” of the man have already been formed. Further it will only grow and develop. If for a long time it is not possible to cause bowel movements, then you can take one of three drugs:

• Glycerin candles.
• Dufalac.
• "Transipeg".

If there are no contraindications, then treatment with light physical exertion can be supplemented. It is useful for expectant mothers to do yoga or take walks.

Waiting for a baby is not a period when you can get involved in self-medication. Admission of any drug is required to be discussed with a doctor.

Enema and pregnancy

For a whole week, constipation during pregnancy. What to do if the proper nutrition system and taking glycerin suppositories does not bring the desired result? The answer suggests itself - you need to do an enema!

The procedure involves the introduction of a drug into the rectum. Almost instantly, feces are liquefied, and the intestines begin to contract and empty. This is a very effective and fast method. But, is it possible to do an enema for constipation during pregnancy?

In the first trimester, the uterus is small, so it is almost impossible to influence it. The procedure should be done only in the absence of any ailments. Contraindication is the threat of miscarriage, hemorrhage and pulling pain in the lower abdomen.

An enema can cure constipation in the first trimester of pregnancy. What if the disease catches up at a later date? In this case, it is better to refuse the introduction of an enema into the rectum. A bowel contraction can provoke a premature birth.

The best folk remedies

Often, any health problems occur during the holidays, when all specialists have a day off. Has constipation formed during pregnancy? What to do? At home, you can also cope with this sensitive problem. There are four proven methods.

Recipe number 1. Prepare a safe means for bowel movements as follows:

1. Take 100 grams of prunes and rinse them thoroughly. It is recommended to pour boiled water over dried fruit for several minutes.
2. Move the main ingredient into a large pot.
3. Fill a container with 2 liters of water.
4. Put the contents on low heat and cook for one hour.

It is recommended to drink the broth at night, 1 glass a day. For greater efficiency, 100 grams of oatmeal and 100 grams of beets can be added to prunes.

Recipe number 2.

1. Take three types of dried fruits of 100 grams: dried apricots, prunes and raisins.
2. Rinse them thoroughly.
3. Then grind through a meat grinder.
4. It will be a viscous gruel. Add 2 tablespoons of honey to it.

Such a folk remedy should also be taken at night for 2 teaspoons per day. It should be washed down with plenty of warm water.

Recipe number 3.

1. Cut 200 grams of pumpkin into small slices.
2. Transfer the vegetables to a deep bowl and place in the oven.
3. Bake for 45-60 minutes.
4. Lubricate the finished product with honey.

This dish can be eaten for dinner. It is an excellent laxative and has a large supply of vitamin.

Recipe number 4.

1. Pour 200 ml of kefir into a glass.
2. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the dairy product.

This mixture must be taken 2-3 hours before bedtime.

Can everyone use folk remedies?

Many people claim that treatment with folk remedies is the safest method that will bring exceptional benefits to the patient. This is far from the case! There are several rules for restoring the intestinal tract in this way.

The first danger is an overdose. Many women think that the more they drink the broth, the better the effect. This is the most common mistake. If you use prunes in large quantities, then the opposite reaction may occur - profuse diarrhea, which is fraught with dehydration. The most adequate norm is from 150 to 250 ml of tincture per day.

The second danger is an allergic reaction. Many folk remedies include honey or herbs. First you need to take a small amount of tincture or mixture, and then observe how the body will react to it. If a rash, irritation and other negative phenomena do not appear, then you can safely increase the volume to the required amount.

Preventative measures

Unfortunately, every year more and more patients are wondering what to do with constipation during pregnancy in the early stages. It is worth considering that violation of bowel movements is a rather serious problem. And even the most seemingly safe method of eliminating it can harm the health of mother and baby.

In order not to cause such a problem, it is recommended to take preventive measures in advance, immediately after two treasured strips appeared on the plate.

1. Fiber is a very useful substance that favorably affects the digestive system. If you use it in small quantities daily, then there will never be problems with a chair.
2. The more people consume dry foods, the higher the likelihood of constipation. Every day, a hot vegetable soup should be present on the food menu.
3. It is required to observe the correct drinking regimen. The daily norm is from 1 to 2 liters of water per day.
4. To the remnants of food did not linger in the body, you need to move more. It is vain to think that a sedentary lifestyle is useful for the baby. Hiking, light exercises or yoga will be of great benefit to mom and her crumbs.

If the problem could not be avoided, then it is worth taking care of its speedy elimination.

Tips from Young Moms

In the Internet, the topic of what to do with constipation during pregnancy is actively discussed. Reviews of young mothers make it possible for parents who are still unsuccessful to understand which treatment method is the most effective and safe.

The “Dufalac” remedy takes a leading position of sympathy. Representatives of the beautiful half of humanity claim that it helped solve a delicate problem in a short period of time. In this case, no side effects or negative effects were found.

Visitors to thematic forums also praise glycerin candles. They consider them worthy for the treatment of such a problem, a tool that can be bought at an affordable price. The disadvantage is that they have to be inserted into the anus, and few people like this procedure.

But as for folk remedies, in this case, opinions diverged noticeably. Approximately 50% of patients claim that "grandmother's" decoctions instantly caused a urge to go to the toilet. And the second half of site users claim that every day they drank a decoction of prunes, but the proper effect did not happen.

A huge number of different reviews about each remedy is confirmed by the fact that there is no single “pill” that would be ideal for all patients. Therefore, the most suitable drug can only be selected based on personal experience.

Constipation is not just an ailment, but a serious problem that most pregnant women face. Many of them are embarrassed to see a doctor or do not consider the absence of bowel movements a serious reason for visiting a doctor’s office. Remember: even from such a seemingly small problem, serious and irreversible consequences can arise! The sooner treatment is started, the greater the chance of avoiding them.