Pregnancy: constipation is widespread
Up to 44 percent of all pregnant women worldwide suffer from constipation. It is characterized by irregular and hard bowel movements, a slower movement of food through the bowel, excessive straining and the feeling that you have never completely emptied your bowels.
Those who suffer from constipation are also often plagued by bloating and hemorrhoids (due to excessive pushing). Constipation during pregnancy can therefore severely affect your general well-being and quality of life in many ways.
What causes constipation during pregnancy?
Constipation during pregnancy is caused by several factors:
- Higher hormone levels (such as progesterone) slow down intestinal motility and therefore the transit or passage time of food to the bowel movement.
- Less exercise also reduces intestinal motility in pregnant women.
- The growing uterus, especially in the third trimester, puts pressure on the bowel.
- The increasingly larger child also puts pressure on the bowel.
- Insufficient fluid intake can also promote intestinal sluggishness.
- The dietary supplement iron, which many pregnant women have to take, can cause constipation as a side effect.
- A change in diet can also affect digestion.
Factors such as the increasing size of the uterus and child are the reason why constipation often increases as the pregnancy progresses. According to studies, the transit time of food to bowel movements increases over the course of the nine months, in some cases considerably.
Other triggers for constipation during pregnancy have recently been discussed: A higher age of the pregnant woman (over 35 years) and a higher body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy probably increase the likelihood of constipation.
Pregnancy: What you can do against constipation
A few simple measures can often help to alleviate or, in the best case, prevent constipation during pregnancy:
- Exercise regularly, preferably in the fresh air (good for you and your child!) for around 30 minutes a day.
- Drink plenty of water, herbal tea or diluted juices.
- Eat fiber-rich foods such as whole grain products and fruit.
- Avoid hard-to-digest and flatulent foods such as pulses, cabbage and onions.
- If possible, also avoid foods that inhibit digestion such as bananas, chocolate and white flour products.
- Eat slowly and chew well – digestion begins in the mouth!
Home remedies for constipation
Home remedies have their limits. If the symptoms persist over a longer period of time and do not improve or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
Medication for constipation
Pregnancy is a very sensitive time for the child. You should therefore avoid medication if possible. However, if the constipation during pregnancy is very severe, you can – always after consulting your gynecologist! – take a gentle laxative (Laxantium).
