How to relieve constipation in pregnant women during the stages of pregnancy

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Trinh Thi Thanh Huyen - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital
Constipation is an obsession of many people, especially pregnant women. About half of pregnant women have problems with constipation during pregnancy, but most do not know how to treat and relieve constipation.

1. Causes of Constipation During Pregnancy

Constipation is a common condition, often occurring in pregnant women. About four out of 10 pregnant women experience constipation at some point in their pregnancy.
Constipation can start in the first trimester of pregnancy and is more likely to affect you as your pregnancy progresses. By the third trimester, nearly half of pregnant women experience constipation.
Pregnant women can become constipated for common reasons such as:
Not eating enough fiber - such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Not drinking enough water. Do not exercise, or be sedentary, especially if you do office jobs, sit a lot. Besides, when you're pregnant, the active hormone progesterone slows down the movement of food through your digestive tract.
Using iron pills or prenatal vitamins that contain iron can make you constipated.
Towards the end of pregnancy, the size and weight of the fetus increases, putting pressure on the rectum (this is the last segment of the intestine where waste is stored until you are ready to pass it out), can slow down the release of waste out.

2. Ways to relieve constipation in pregnant women during the stages of pregnancy

Here are some ways to relieve constipation in pregnant women during the stages of pregnancy, including:
Try to go to the bathroom as a routine in the morning. You should drink a glass of warm water in the morning. Listen to your body. Always go to the bathroom when you feel the urge. Give yourself plenty of time to go to the bathroom in a relaxed, stress-free spirit. You need a quiet, private space Try putting your feet on a stool when going to the toilet because squatting will be better for you. If the constipation is really getting worse, you can massage the area between the vulva and the pelvis while you are going to the bathroom. Some other measures to help pregnant women reduce constipation such as:
Food Eat a healthy diet: include plenty of fruit, whole grains, bread and fresh vegetables every day. They contain a lot of fiber that can relieve constipation. Certain fruits, such as apples, apricots, grapes, peaches, pears, plums, plums, raspberries, and strawberries are high in sorbitol, which is a natural laxative. Choose foods high in fiber, such as whole grains or wholegrain breads, instead of refined and processed foods. If you're not used to eating high-fiber foods, try them one at a time to avoid bloating. Stick with this routine, even if you don't get immediate results. Fiber improves constipation within a few days, but it can take up to four weeks before you feel the positive effects.

Drink plenty of water: You need at least 1.6 liters of fluid per day. A standard glass is 200ml. A few glasses of fruit juice a day and apricot and prune juice are good choices because they are high in sorbitol. During the third trimester, your need to replenish water increases slightly. So try to drink a few extra glasses of water every day. Everyone's digestive system is different, so you can try different food sources to deal with constipation. It may not always be high fiber foods that solve the problem. Gentle exercise such as walking, swimming, cycling on a stationary bike, yoga helps pregnant women reduce the risk of constipation as well as promote health. Take psyllium, which is a bulk-forming constipation medication that contains fiber. If you are taking a vitamin supplement that contains iron, you can consult your doctor to change it if your constipation becomes severe. Unless you've been diagnosed with anemia, you don't need to take an iron supplement. If changes in your diet and lifestyle don't improve constipation in later stages of pregnancy, your doctor may recommend May prescribe a laxative that is safe to use during pregnancy. They may suggest that you try the following, in this order:
Laxative Fybogel: This is a high-fiber drink you can drink morning and evening after eating. It takes a few days for the medicine to take effect. Senna Pills Used For Short Term To Treat Constipation: This is a natural laxative made from the leaves and fruit of the senna plant. You take it as a tablet or a solution. It takes about eight hours for the drug to take effect. Senna can cause diarrhea and abdominal pain. Glycerol: You can use it in tablet or oral form. It takes about 20 minutes for the medicine to take effect.

3. Measures should not be used to treat constipation for pregnant women

Laxatives are NOT recommended to treat constipation during pregnancy because they can stimulate uterine contractions and cause dehydration.
Mineral oils should NOT be used during pregnancy as they reduce nutrient absorption.
Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with a full range of antenatal check-ups, 3D, 4D, 5D ultrasounds period and routine tests to ensure that the mother is healthy and the fetus is developing comprehensively.
In addition to regular checkups, pregnant women will also be advised on nutrition and exercise so that the mother can gain weight reasonably while the fetus still absorbs nutrients well.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Articles source references: webmd.com, americanpregnancy.org, babycentre.co.uk