Pregnancy is an exciting time as you await your baby's birth, but it also brings unpleasant physical symptoms like nausea, aches and frequent urination. Pregnancy sometimes causes constipation, meaning you have a more difficult time having regular bowel movements. The resultant straining raises your hemorrhoid development risk. The constipation happens for a physical reason and is usually treatable through lifestyle and diet changes.
Cause
Anyone can get constipated, and the usual cause is a diet without enough fiber. Constipation during pregnancy happens for a different reason. Not all women experience pregnancy-related constipation, but it is normal for those who do. Your hormones slow down digestion, according to the What to Expect website, making food remain in your intestines longer so your body can absorb all the nutrients possible to support your baby's growth. Your uterus puts pressure on your bowels as the baby gets bigger and makes it expand, which interferes with the digestive process.
Diet
Pregnancy-related constipation is often controllable through your diet. Gradually increase the amount of fiber-rich foods in your meals, like whole grains from sources like bread and cereals, fruits and vegetables that still have their skins and legumes like beans or peas. This roughage keeps food moving through your gut steadily. Do not immediately start a high-fiber diet or you may get side effects like bloating and excess gas. Keep your meals small and eat at more frequent intervals rather than having three big meals. Drink plenty of water, fruit juice and vegetable juice, which helps soften your stool.
Other Treatments
Exercise fights constipation during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about safe physical activities, but even exercise as light as regular walking helps keep your bowels moving. Just 10 minutes of walking per day has beneficial effects, according to the What to Expect website. Ask your doctor about taking a psyllium fiber supplement or probiotics to assist with proper digestive function. Stool softeners are safe, but avoid stimulating laxatives that give you short-term relief at the expense of potentially becoming dependent on the medication.
Warning
Most cases of constipation during pregnancy are harmless and temporary and do not require medical treatment. Sometimes an inability to move your bowels is a symptom of a more serious issue, the Baby Center website warns. Such cases are usually accompanied by other signs, like bouts of diarrhea mixed in with the constipation, abdominal pain or blood and mucus in your stool. See your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms along with your constipation.
