Is it dangerous to be constipated during the first 3 months of pregnancy?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Pham Thi Yen - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital. Doctor has more than 10 years of experience in examination and treatment in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Constipation in the first 3 months of pregnancy is very common, but few people pay attention. In fact, the symptoms of constipation in the first 3 months of pregnancy may not be too serious, but it can negatively affect the health of the mother as well as the development of the baby.

1. Why are pregnant women prone to constipation during the first 3 months of pregnancy?

Many women do not know why they are constipated in the first 3 months of pregnancy. In fact, this situation can happen for many reasons:
Due to hormonal changes:
When you are first pregnant, your body will secrete a lot of the pregnancy hormone, especially progesterone. This will affect the functioning of the digestive system, bowel movements and the process of expelling waste. Therefore, pregnant women are very prone to constipation during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Sedentary:
At the beginning of pregnancy, women also need to be especially careful, walk gently, limit exercise, so it can make constipation worse.
Unscientific nutrition:
Being disturbed by "morning sickness" makes pregnant women unable to eat or eat only certain foods. The amount of fiber that is absorbed into the body is too little, leading to poor bowel movements and difficulty pushing waste out.
Incorrect micronutrient supplementation:
In the first 3 months of pregnancy, pregnant women often supplement with iron and calcium in the form of oral tablets. To be able to absorb these 2 supplements, the body needs a large amount of water. If not fully absorbed, this amount of iron and calcium will be excreted through the bowels, leading to constipation.

2. Is it dangerous to be constipated during the first 3 months of pregnancy?

Constipation in the first 3 months of pregnancy is not too life-threatening, but adversely affects the health, development of the child as well as the quality of daily life. In particular, if you do not know how to treat constipation for pregnant women in the first 3 months, it can lead to premature birth, fetal malnutrition, even miscarriage... Constipation during the first 3 months of pregnancy increase the risk of hemorrhoids, anal fissures, rectal prolapse, causing abdominal pain, discomfort, bloody stools, anal burning pain... In addition, long-term constipation also causes fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite... All of these symptoms adversely affect the development of the fetus. Constipation during the first 3 months of pregnancy, if not treated thoroughly and promptly, can also cause dangerous consequences such as: . The feces that accumulate in the intestines for a long time will cause toxins such as phenol, indol, ammonia... to be absorbed back into the body. Causes psychological fatigue, anxiety, irritability. The fetus is malnourished or has reduced resistance.

3. Measures to prevent constipation during the first 3 months of pregnancy

Constipation during the first 3 months of pregnancy causes discomfort. If left for a long time, it will negatively affect the health of both mother and baby. In particular, in the early stages of pregnancy, pregnant women need to be very careful in the application of treatment methods.
Here are the safe ways to cure constipation during the first 3 months of pregnancy you need to note:
Drink enough 2.5 - 3 liters of water a day to make stools soft and easy to pass out. Avoid drinking stimulant drinks such as coffee, tea, wine, beer... Fully supplement with probiotics and prebiotics to support fermentation in the large intestine, supplement beneficial bacteria to support sugar activity intestine. Eat plenty of green vegetables and fresh fruits to add fiber.

Stop using drugs, laxatives, mineral oils. Exercise regularly with simple exercises such as: Walking, yoga, swimming... to help peristalsis strengthen contractions, reduce constipation. Use the correct dosage of supplements as directed by your doctor. It is best to only take iron and calcium supplements as prescribed by your doctor. If taken in excess, the body will not be able to fully absorb it and cause a burden on the intestinal tract. When taking iron or calcium tablets, you should also divide them to take several times and drink plenty of water for the body to absorb. Daily personal hygiene, keep the anus clean, especially after each bowel movement to avoid bacterial invasion causing infection. Learning about the problem of constipation during the first 3 months of pregnancy will help women effectively avoid this troublesome situation. If you have applied the above measures without success, see your doctor for helpful advice.

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.