Constipation
Almost all pregnant women seem to have problems with constipation. One reason for this may be changes in hormones that slow the movement of food through the digestive tract. Iron supplements may also cause constipation. During the last part of pregnancy, pressure on your rectum from your uterus may add to the problem. Here are some suggestions that may help:
- Drink plenty of liquids — at least 6-8 glasses of water each day, including 1-2 glasses of fruit juice such as prune juice. Liquids (such as coffee, tea and cola) that make you go to the bathroom, should not be consumed. They will tend to create a negative water balance in your body and thus make your stools harder and more difficult to pass.
- Eat food high in fiber, such as raw fruits and vegetables and bran cereals, but always drink plenty of fluids when eating bran and other high fiber foods.
- Exercise daily — walking is a good form of exercise.
- You can take an extra stool softener Colace( docusate sodium) daily-even if your prenatal vitamin has some in it.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in the Contemporary Women’s Care website should be relied upon for medical education purposes only. It is not intended to replace the independent judgment of a health care provider. The appropriateness of a course of treatment for a patient may vary from the medical information provided herein due to individual conditions and/or complications.
