Some people feel bloated, or pass small, rabbit-like
stools. Others have to strain when having a bowel movement. Medically,
constipation is known as having fewer than three bowel movements a week.
Constipation is very common during pregnancy and in the days
after delivering a baby. Some women have very painful bowel movements when they
have had an episiotomy (torn rectal tissue that has been repaired). These women
consciously, or unconsciously, hold on to their stool. Other women who have had
a caesarean section delivery can have her bowel movement temporary paralyzed.
This is known as an ileus.
Discussed below some helpful hints to alleviate or prevent
constipation. The first tip is to exercise daily. Exercise is very helpful in
preventing constipation. Even light to moderate walking helps to loosen bowels
and will help to make you feel less bloated.
Drink lots of fluids. During pregnancy, water absorbed from
your intestine into your blood is increased. Pregnant women need to drink an
increased amount of water to keep their intestines and their babies healthy. At
the minimum, you will need ten, 8-ounce glasses of water. If it is hot and/or
humid, you may need even more fluid. Keeping your body hydrated with water will
help to prevent constipation.
Ensure that you taking the appropriate calcium and vitamin
supplements. Some supplements cause bloating and constipation. Studies have
shown that the best calcium supplements are those that easily dissolve in the pH
of vinegar. These include the brands TUMS and Calcitrate. Antacids that have
aluminum are very constipating so be sure to avoid those.
Prenatal vitamins, specifically formulated for pregnant
women, are tolerated best by the digestive tract. These cause less nausea and
bloating. Prenatal vitamins have iron, folate and B vitamins that are essential
when you are pregnant.
Some women need to take a stool softener to relieve
constipation. These work as a surfactant to decrease the wall tension between
the colon and the stool. These act mainly to keep the stool soft for natural and
easy passage. An important attribute is that the stool softener is not habit
forming.
A natural remedy is to alternate between hot and cold food
and beverages. A simple option is to drink a cold fluid or to eat ice chips and
then drink a warm fluid, such as tea. Many pregnant women prefer decaffeinated
tea in this case. Alternating between hot and cold helps to stimulate and tone
the bowel. Another good feature of this exercise is that this helps to pass gas.
Some women must remain on bed rest for all or part of their
pregnancy. If this is the case, an incentive spirometer (a device that is used
by inhaling deeply, which raises balls or creates bubbles depending on the
model) is mandatory to keep your lungs clear and to keep your bowels moving. The
medical apparatus cannot be over used. It is generally advised to use it every
ten minutes.
Hopefully these tips will help with constipation during
pregnancy. It is important to consult your doctor regarding your constipation.
She can investigate further to see if a medical condition, such as a thyroid
problem, has developed during pregnancy and cause your constipation. Chances are
it is just a nagging problem that comes with your pregnancy and your
constipation will clear up post partum.
