Constipation is one of the most common discomforts during pregnancy. Changes in the body can also lead to changes in bowel movements, causing the expectant mother to have restless times when she feels bloated. What causes constipation during pregnancy? What is the treatment for constipation during pregnancy?
What Causes Constipation During Pregnancy?
Constipation is generally caused by the effect of the hormone progesterone, which is secreted during pregnancy, on smooth muscles such as the gastrointestinal tract. This hormone causes a slowdown in almost all of the smooth muscles in the body that work beyond our control. Therefore, food waste in the intestines moves more slowly during pregnancy than at normal times, which naturally leads to constipation. Another cause of constipation during pregnancy is pressure on the intestines as the uterus grows.
Other causes of constipation during pregnancy are as follows;
- Wrong and irregular eating habits (not consuming enough fiber, not drinking enough fluids, etc.),
- Iron medicines used during pregnancy,
- Sedentary life, Inactivity
- Stress
What is good for constipation during pregnancy?
Small measures can be taken to eliminate or minimize the problem of constipation during pregnancy. The most important of these is the diet of the expectant mother. The diet must include foods rich in fiber and pulp and foods containing probiotics. In addition, the problem of constipation can be reduced by drinking at least 8 – 10 glasses of water a day during pregnancy. Consuming herbal teas with water will also increase bowel movements. Exercises will also help you to suffer less from constipation. Walking in particular is one of the most recommended types of exercise for constipation during pregnancy.
Different measures can be taken to prevent constipation during pregnancy. However, if precautions are not taken and constipation becomes severe, it can lead to problems such as hemorrhoids or anal fissures in the later stages. Therefore, it is important for the health of the expectant mother to eliminate the constipation problem that occurs during pregnancy with small measures. If constipation does not disappear despite all measures, the expectant mother can deal with constipation by consulting her doctor and taking medication appropriate for her pregnancy.
I wish you a healthy and happy pregnancy…
