Any hints on coping with constipation when pregnant?

Answer 1

More water and fiber. Metamucil is really good and works.

Answer 2

Why am I so constipated?
If it's any consolation, constipation is a common problem during pregnancy. One culprit is an increase in the hormone progesterone, which slows the movement of food through your digestive tract. And the problem may be compounded later in pregnancy by the pressure of your growing uterus on your rectum. Iron supplements can make constipation worse.




What can I do about constipation?
Here are some tips for preventing and easing constipation:
• Eat high-fiber foods such as cereals, whole-grain breads, and fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Add a couple of tablespoons of unprocessed wheat bran (available at health food stores) to your cereal in the morning and follow it with a glass of water.

• Drink plenty of water — at least six to eight glasses a day. A glass of fruit juice every day, especially prune juice, can also be helpful.

• Exercise regularly. Walking, swimming, riding on a stationary bike, and yoga can all help ease constipation and leave you feeling more fit and healthy.

• Listen to your body. Never put off going to the bathroom when you feel the urge.

• Ask your healthcare provider about taking an over-the-counter fiber supplement or switching to an iron supplement with less iron.

Is constipation ever serious?
Not usually, though occasionally it can be a symptom of another problem. If you have severe constipation that's accompanied by abdominal pain, alternates with diarrhea, or you pass mucus or blood, call your doctor or midwife immediately.

Also, straining during a bowel movement or passing a hard stool can lead to or worsen hemorrhoids, swollen veins in the rectal area. Hemorrhoids can be extremely uncomfortable, though they rarely cause serious problems and in most cases they go away fairly soon after your baby is born. However, if the pain is severe or you have rectal bleeding, call your caregiver so you can be evaluated.

Answer 3

Lots of water and try some benefiber if your doc says its ok. Also if you are taking iron that causes constipation too. My doctor told me I can take my iron every other day but I take it daily and my prenatals and eat a bowl of cereal that is high in fiber every morning. Frosted mini wheats are GREAT! Also, I get 24 packs of the 1pint nestle waters at walmart for a couple dollars and drink the whole case in a week. I am never without water. I think that is the only thing I have craved since I have been pregnant is water! I started to have a problem with constipation after starting my iron, but as soon as I did I started drinking more water, moving around more, and checking fiber grams. Walking helps alot too! Good luck!

Answer 4

Tell your significant other to drink a small juice glass of warm prune juice. It's all natural, won't hurt the baby, and will work wonders within 30 minutes.

Also, she should be taking a good prenatal vitamin from the health food store, like "Rainbow Light" prenatal vitamin. It will keep her feeling great, and will not constipate because it has a lot of "whole food concentrates" in it such as spinach, alfalfa juice, seaweed. It will give her the energy she needs to get though it all.

My doctor gave me a prescription which made me feel like crap. I went to the health food store and the nutritionalist recommended the Rainbow Light Prenatal formula. It helped me out a lot.

Congratulations and good luck!

Answer 5

i had horrid constipation, my doctor told me to take one Colace a day (stool softener) buy some Milk of Magnesia, for emergency cases and eat one bowl of bran cereal a day and at least two apples.....constipation has been a thing of the past since i started this regime 1 week ago. Good luck

Answer 6

It sounds bad, but I know how you feel. Anything that upsets your stomach. Dairy products, spicy stuff, etc. Right now it should be really easy to find something that you stomach disagrees with. It's a natural way, just make sure you at home 30 minutes after you eat. Don't worry it won't upset the baby, he or she will probably be relieved of the pressure. And of course lots of water and baby safe motion. It will be over soon!

Answer 7

It is hilarious to look at the ridiculous Yahoo avatars that people have to work with, especially the females, then connect them with a question about constipation.

Answer 8

I had that problem something terrible. First, my doctor recommended more fiber. (Like Metamucil.) That didn't help me, so then he recommended a glycerin suppository. They're available at the drug store, and you can get it in little tubes, which are the quickest and easiest to use. It's not the most fun thing in the world, but it'll get it out of there for you.

Answer 9

I was told that if I am ever constipated to drink more fluids and that seems to help or you could eat foods high in fiber. If it gets to bad I would talk to your doctor to see what else you could do to help.

Answer 10

There is a juice called PlumSmart Plum Juice. it is full of all types of fiber, magnesium and potassium, which is also good for the baby. It helps keep you regular. I have had friends with the same issue and it worked pretty well for them

Answer 11

Eat whole grains, veges, and fruits every day. Also, take a fiber supplement. Make sure you drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.