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Pregnancy ConstipationPregnancy constipation is a common complaint during pregnancy. For some women, this is their first time experiencing constipation, and when coupled with the rigors of pregnancy it can present definite problems. Constipation in pregnancy, though annoying, doesn’t present any dangers to the pregnancy or the baby, but most women do want to treat the issue as soon as possible.What is constipation? Constipation is technically defined as having fewer than three bowel movements during a week. People who are experiencing constipation often describe their bowel movements as hard, dry, or pebble-like. It can be very difficult to evacuate your bowels completely and comfortably when you are experiencing constipation during pregnancy. Sometimes excessive straining is necessary to have a bowel movement. As food moves through the large intestine, the excess water in the food is absorbed into the bloodstream. The body has a great need for water, and this is one of the ways that it protects against dehydration by conserving all the possible water from the food eaten. If the colon contracts too slowly making the food move slower than usual, then there might be too much water removed from the waste, resulting in hard, dry stool. Reasons for Constipation Constipation is a symptom of a larger issue going on in the body. Usually this is diet or hydration related. Pregnant women, whose bodies already have an additional workload, may experience pregnancy constipation more frequently and more severely than those who are not pregnant. Some hormones associated with pregnancy cause slower smooth muscle tissue contractions. Because the colon is made of smooth muscle tissue, this means that a pregnant woman’s food moves much slower through the colon than in her pre-pregnant state, resulting in a greater potential for constipation during pregnancy. Additionally, pregnant women have a greater need for water. If the body is dehydrated, it will pull more water than usual from the food as it moves through the large intestine. By the time the digested food gets to the rectum, it is hard and dry, causing more difficulty with evacuation. Lifestyle choices can also play an important role in pregnancy constipation. The following issues might contribute to the frequency, duration, or occurrence of constipation in pregnancy:
Because pregnant women need to be vigilant about medications they introduce into their body, treating pregnancy constipation naturally can be safer than using conventional medications. Fortunately, in most cases constipation in pregnancy can be relieved with the addition of certain lifestyle changes.
Give It Time Once you choose to make a change in your lifestyle or your habits, it can take some time in order to see a difference in the severity of your pregnancy constipation. The process of returning your body system back to normal can take some time. Many women make changes and then feel as though those changes are not working because they don’t wait long enough to see the positive results. Give it a week of the above changes to see a significant difference.
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 Pregnancy Plus Prenatal A once daily tablet containing key vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including folic acid. Optimized for preconception and pregnancy, contains no artificial ingredients. One bottle is a 2-month supply.  Pregnancy Plus Omega-3 An omega-3 designed specifically for pregnant and nursing mothers as well as women trying to conceive. Helps support fetal development and infant health, molecularly distilled to ensure purity.  Pregnancy Plus Cal-Mag Contains the optimal levels of calcium and magnesium for pregnant and trying-to-conceive women. A delicious, chocolate-flavored chewable tablet that is ideal for sensitive stomachs. |
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