Constipation during pregnancy?

Question

I am almost 6 months pregnant and I am becoming very constipated. So much so, that when I go to the bathroom I find myself straining hard so I can go. Does this affect my baby in any way? Will it hurt her?

Answer 1

It probably won't affect the baby, you could ask the doc to put you on prenatal vitamins that have a stool softener in it, don't take anything without the advise of your doc though.

Answer 2

I am nearly 7 mths pregs and the best way to not have constipation is to prevent it way before it happens, it also gave me painful piles too until I did the following -

1) Drink drink and drink some more! I find this hard as I am not a thirsty person but it really DOES work! I bring a flask to work and fill it with one litre of orange squash. It is alot easier to drink from the little cup than have a bottle of water staring at you all day. You really dont realise you have drunk a litre this way!

2) Always eat a bowl of high fibre cereal - my favourite is Shreddies but museli and bran flakes are just as good, esp with extra sultanas in.

3) Treat your self to one exotic fruit per day. I always bring to work staples like 2 apples and a banana then I mix it up a bit with a kiwi, strawberrys, raspberries or cherries. That way you don't get bored of eating the fruit and its helping you not to have constipation at the same time.

I hope this helps - good luck with your little babba, you must be due just after me (I am 6th May) :o) xxx

Answer 3

During my 3 pregnancies, I was constipated from the word go.
Drink plenty of water or non caffeine liquids, eat foods that contain fiber, such as apples, beans and vegetables.
The water is the key. Your body now is not only using water for your functions, it is also using it for the baby.
Apple juice frequently does the trick, but be careful of this if you have high blood sugar.

Answer 4

Unlikely, but you need to take some sort of laxative or you are going to give yourself haemerroids. Prune juice works, or start eating more fibre, fruit and roughage. Constipation is a side effect of pregnancy but good nutrition will cure it as well as being good for your little one. I wouldn't take an artificial laxative though.

Answer 5

You should never strain to go if you are pregnant. You need more fibre in your diet. Y Dr had me taking metamucil every day to help with the problems...also drink lots of water.

Answer 6

hiya no it doesnt effect your baby just you it is a horrible feeling i used to be up all night running to the tolilet to find nothing would come out, my docter gave me lactalose which is basicly sugar and waterits rubbish but worth a go, my suggestion is drink a few pints of water through the day and eat fruit melons i used to eat as they sometimes helped prunes if you can stand the taste good luck

Answer 7

I used to have this problem too... especially when I was pregnant as I was on iron pills too.... what worked for me was Metamucil..the fibre and extra water are not going to hurt the baby and it can be taken regularly to prevent this from re- occurring.

Answer 8

I odnt think it will hurt your baby, but it can hurt you. It can cause hemmoroids. I was constipated yesterday foir like a week, the doc told me to take sennakot and it worked wonders fast.

Answer 9

No it won't hurt the baby and on the good side, you're developing good pushing muscles! (I'm not kidding). Still, there are mild stool softeners that your physician would probably say are ok to take - Colace, for example. Hang in there!

Answer 10

Well, it depends on WHY you are constipated! Are you drinking enough water(8-10 8oz. glasses a day)?? You are a filter for 2.

Please contact your OBGYN and discuss the matter, especially in regard to your discomfort.