I'm feeling constipated during my pregnancy. What can I do to help?
Barbara Dehn, RN MS NP explains:
Why doesn’t anyone ever tell us about this fun aspect of pregnancy? Most of my patients are surprised to find out that constipation is fairly common for pregnant women. A couple of things contribute to this condition: First, increased progesterone during pregnancy slows down the journey food makes through the intestine, which helps you absorb more nutrients for the baby. What also happens is that more water is absorbed, which contributes to harder stools that are more difficult to pass. Another culprit is the iron in prenatal vitamins. You need the iron to be healthy and prevent anemia, yet iron may also be increasing the constipation.
The good news is that there are lots of simple things that you can do to prevent and/or improve constipation. And here’s one secret about eating fruit - are you ready for this? Any fruit with a pit will help you poop. (Think apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, prunes, and cherries.)
Some other tips:
Try to increase the raw and cooked vegetables you eat; aim for 3-5 servings a day (for example a large salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables).
Bran is your friend right now. Try it sprinkled on cereal, salads, or in the form of a bran muffin.
Include flaxseed in your diet in small doses of 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon.
Increase your water intake by adding 1-2 extra glasses of water each day.
Be sure to talk to your health care provider about what’s right for you. In general, there are some safe over-the-counter remedies to consider, such as Phillips’ Stool Softener, Konsyl, Metamucil, and Colace. Good luck!
I'm feeling constipated during my pregnancy. What can I do to help?
