Constipation How can I help ease my constipation symptoms?

Constipation
When you experience small, infrequent or painful bowel movements, you are most likely suffering from constipation. More than half of all pregnant women will suffer from constipation at some time during their pregnancy. There are several causes of constipation and many things that you can do to prevent becoming constipated.

One of the major causes of constipation is an increase of progesterone during pregnancy. Progesterone is a hormone that slows the movement of food through the digestive tract. Women that have to take iron supplements may find that they become constipated easily. During pregnancy, your digestion process changes. The colon absorbs more water than it did before, which leaves less water in the stool and causes constipation. For this reason, inadequate fluid consumption can also be a major cause of constipation.





There are many steps you can take to prevent and ease constipation.

• Never ignore the feeling to have a bowel movement. If you feel the need to use the restroom, do so.
• Monitor what you are eating. Eating foods that are high in fiber will help with constipation. Fruits, vegetables, cereals and whole grain breads are excellent choices. Eat small and frequent meals throughout the day.
• Drink six to eight glasses of water every day. Sometimes, apple or prune juice can help prevent constipation as well.
• Exercising keeps your bowels healthy and can prevent constipation. Light or moderate exercise is perfectly safe. Try yoga, walking, swimming or simple stretches to combat constipation.
• If constipation seems to be a problem, speak to your doctor about changing your prenatal vitamin or iron supplement if you are taking one.
• Ask your healthcare provider about a fiber supplement.

Normally, constipation does not become a serious problem and can be treated with some simple measures. However, if you notice any blood in your stools or have pain in your abdomen you should contact your healthcare provider immediately for an evaluation. Generally, doctors will approve a simple stool softener to add moisture to stool to make it easier to pass. However, always ask your caregiver before taking any types of supplements or medications. If you suffer from constipation and you have to strain to have a bowel movement, you will be more likely to develop hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins in the rectal area.



Comments: Constipation

Comments 1 to 24 of about 201.
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aejh143 - 15 hours ago.
i am SO TIRED of being constipated. It's been going on since I was in the first trimester, and now I'm at week 23. I'M SO SICK OF IT!! I'm bloated to the point that it feels like my stomach muscles are ripping from the inside since they are being so pushed out. Fiber supplements haven't done anything but give me gas and cramping, making my discomfort worse. I eat lots of fiber- I love vegetables, so I eat them frequently. Broccoli, dark lettuce, green beans, etc. I drink lots of water and I swim 3-4 times a week, or do yoga. I'M DOING EVERYTHING THAT IT SAYS TO DO!!! I even took Milk of Magnesia last night and nothing!! It's been 5 days!! And this isn't the first time, it happens constantly- each bout lasting about 4-5 days. I've called my doctor about it, and they said if it gets worse let them know. Well., I'd say it's worse. But I HATE calling that doctor because you have to leave a message with the call center, then they call you back, then if you miss the call you have to go through the process all over again. Then, yesterday, the nurse had the audacity to ask my WHY I couldn't reschedule my week so that my appointment could be this week instead of next!!!! I'm so sick of all this and really needed to vent, so thanks for letting me. If you have any advice for me, please let me know. I'm tired of reading everywhere to do exactly what I'm already doing. IT'S NOT WORKING!! I need something else! ugh!! (*deep breaths...deep breaths...haha*)

2b - 9 days ago.
OMG!! I am having the worse gas!!! My poor husband!

joannemichelle - 9 days ago.
I know this is the wrong place for this, but has anyone here had the opposite problem? During the first trimester and a few weeks into the second I was super constipated. Now I am 23 weeks and have awful diarrhea. I cant decide which was worse. Any info would be great!

Gillian - 14 days ago.
HEY all mummy's to be. I am 25 weeks, and always been really bad with my bowels and have IBS so i knew when i fell pregnant i was going to be in for a tough time! and sure enough i was right. It got really bad so i had to go to the doctors and i am now on fybogel sachets and lactulose everyday but still no movement, i eat fruit and veg also. The problem with me is when i do actually go i am in so much pain, and bleed a lot, so it makes me scared to go. Sorry for all the deep info but i was just wondering if anyone is on the same boat as me who knows a way to help! please. Love xxxxx

alijo - 17 days ago.
Supposedly Kiwis work really well. And they are yummy.

Amybaby27 - 22 days ago.
Dates are brilliant for this!! just 4 dates a day!

athome - 29 days ago.
Prunes work a treat !! have 4-6 every day to keep everything moving if you are really overdue for a movement have 8 or so but dont go overboard you dont want an early labour !!

pregos - 29 days ago.
OMG I am sooooo constipated! I am 33 weeks and I barley go to the bathroom and its been that way for months. I tryed all the fiber I could get , fruit, dark veggies. I don't know what to do!! Sorry for TMI but I need help!!

caitie - 46 days ago.
leena for me apple juice works great

christabell - 46 days ago.
Leena, try wheat germ. It's really cheap and seriously works like a charm. During my whole pregnancy, up until about 2 weeks ago (i'm 27 weeks now), I would only have one, small bowel movement a week if I was lucky. Now every day is a dream. haha. Honestly and it's really cheap. I don't know if you should take ex-lax. I have a book called 'while waiting' that really tries to steer you away from laxatives. I'd stick with natural remedies. Good luck.

M.M.Masi - 46 days ago.
Christabell - You know you are right and I had totally forgot. One time when I wanted to loose wieght after my daughter was born i was on a health kick and I would put wheat germ in my yogurt and I was so regular during that time. I completely forgot. Thanks.

christabell - 46 days ago.
If anyone needs to cure constipation, and cure it fast, I have the solution. It's called WHEAT GERM. For awhile there, I wouldn't go more than once or twice a week, and it'd be hardly any. Thanks to the advice of my sister in law, I bought wheat germ and use it on my cereal and even bread my chicken in it. It looks and tastes like bread crumbs or the crumbs at the bottom of a cereal box. I actually think it tastes good and can just sprinkle some onto my tongue. It's fairly cheap -- around 2 or 3$ at walmart for a large jar -- and it's seriously the best thing for constipation. I'm probably going to keep using it even after I have my baby to keep my digestive system regulated.

tove - 59 days ago.
I tried everything for constipation and finally cured it. Fiber 1 cereal, have one big bowl a day. After 4 days it started working and works almost every day. The trick is to have a bowl everyday no matter what. It works, try it.

bambina2come - 61 days ago.
I found a prenatel vit. with a natural stool softener in it, it is a perscription PNV but it has worked wonders for me it's called PrimaOne. Also a glass of oj mixed with fiber in the morning when u get up works for me.

Bangel - 61 days ago.
I'm in week 9 now, and my problems started already in week 4! The constipation was so bad I couldn't sleep more than an hour at a time and spent lots of time curled up in a ball almost crying. Doc has me taking 3 glasses of metamucil a day, and now I go at least once a day.

martina26 - 62 days ago.
I also was only going every 4 days or so b/c i had to dbl up on my iron which would sooo back me up that i actually felt heavier--very sad. I wish i could drink a little epsolm salt n water cocktail--ladies for after the baby--i am for sure ull poo for a half day but all the impurities and even some lbs will shed. Dont do it unless u need to but my mom did and lost like 5-7 lbs and she s a small lady.

us-n-kenzie - 62 days ago.
I drank almost an entire bottle of apple juice one day and nothing happened. I was only going like every 4 days or so and then on the 4th or 5th day I would go all day long. Now that I am not so sick, I have been cutting down on my Zofran and that seems to help. A LOT!! Oh, and incrediblelinda suggested papaya and it really does work, but I cannot stand the taste of it. If you go to the vitamin aisle, they sell papaya enzyme and it works as well. It helps to regulate everything.

lindsariah - 62 days ago.
hi im 33 weeks and spent all day yeaterday in hospital bleeding they thought my baby was going to come early. I know this sounds horrible but i had been trying so hard to do the toilet for 4 days that i had caused bleeding from the other area due to preassure and nearly burst my own waters. I was petrified to try and go to the toilet again after they assured me my baby was still safe. i woke up this morning crying in pain at not going to the toilet and have been given lactose which worked within 2 hours. I now need to take it 3 times a day for a week and eat dates and prunes. I hope this may be helpful to anyone else in my position. I know its embarrassing going to docs but i nearly had my baby 7 weeks early just because i was too proud to go.

nadiaandbrian - 63 days ago.
Quick question and hoping I will get an answer quick. There is not a subject line for diarrea(sp?). My husband's co-worker just found out she's pregnant and asked what to take. I had a list of medications but can't find it. Can any of you help me?

loveatfirstbump - 64 days ago.
My new remedy is a medium bowl of frozen blueberries and raspberries once a day. It works better than anything else I’ve tried. I buy them frozen because it’s cheaper and I don’t have to worry about them going bad in the fridge. Plus, frozen fruit doesn’t lose its nutritional value. If anything, it’s more nutritious than “fresh” fruit because its flash frozen immediately after being harvested. Happy pooping ladies!

mommyashley86 - 64 days ago.
After 48 hours of hell due to a combination of the iron in my prenatals and the Zofran I take, I swear by dried prunes, apricots, and fresh mellons. Also try drinking apple or prune juice.. It will take a few hours but you'll be going, that's for sure :)

ukdutypaid - 66 days ago.
everyone needs to find food with plenty of fiber.... for those in the uk, wheetabix just before bed helps, rivita has lots of fiber, baked beans have more than these foods together, orange juice helps too. lactulose helps coat the poo in a soft substance, tastes yucky but does the job. cut down on bread. peas are high in fiber, just find high fiber foods... bran flakes, hope this helps, im on lots of iron everyday and i have to eat lots and lots of fiber to help me go, and i do, hope this has helped..x.x

kellyp - 66 days ago.
As the weeks go on i am getting more and more constipoated!! Im in week 10 now and its getting a real problem!! Has anybody got any advice? Please reply to my vip page thanks x x

martina26 - 72 days ago.
a small cup of coffee w/ cream always helps me have a bm or a probiotic pill--very natural ;)

tove - 72 days ago.
ok, why am I constipated? i drink at least a gallon of water a day 8 prunes a day one serving of metamucil a day. one bowl of fiber one a day 3 colace a day probiotics by capsule every day magnesium by capsule every day. I have a bowl of veggies and at least two fruit everyday. just started the lemon juice, I drink it straight..i'm on day two of adding this to my reportire I'm 14 weeks pregnant and have had only 3 formed stools since becoming pregnant. All the rest have been hard pebbles. any ideas, I'm sick of all the bloat, eating tons and nothing coming out.


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