Constipation is a common problem in pregnant women. Some women experience constipation during the early phase of their pregnancy while some experience it at the later stage of their pregnancy period. It is important to know why women suffer from constipation during their pregnancy time.

Pregnant women choose to not to talk about their problem while some women take the over the counter medications without consulting their physician and it is not a wise option because taking some medications while you are pregnant can bring some problems during the pregnancy period, and it is recommended to have a word with your physician if you are looking for relief from constipation. A discussion with your health care provider may help determine which option would be best for you to get relief from constipation immediately. In this article, you will come to know about some effective remedies to get an immediate constipation relief during pregnancy.

What are the causes of constipation during pregnancy?

There can be a variety of metabolic causes that can include and this is very important to keep in mind. Following are the causes of constipation during pregnancy include

  • Change in hormone levels
  • Prenatal Vitamins
  • Pressure from the uterus

Let’s discuss the above causes of constipation in detail:

Change in hormone levels

Changes in your hormone levels can cause constipation during pregnancy and it occurs due to the slow reaction of intestines results in hard bowel movements. The delay in this process increases the water content that the colon taking it from the stool, which will make the stool more solid, and pregnant women experience hard bowel movements as a result.

Prenatal vitamins

Pregnant women need prenatal vitamins because it contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals which are essential for women during their pregnancy. It also contains iron, and sometimes it can be deficient during pregnancy. Pregnancy women suffer from constipation due to the iron deficiency in their body and it can make the stools hard and difficult to pass.

Pressure from the uterus

Sometimes growing uterus can cause constipation by putting extra pressure on the bowel. As a result, pregnant women experience hard bowel movements.

Constipation can bring more problems to your body other than infrequent bowel movements, and it includes

  • Bloating
  • Hard stools
  • Dry stools
  • Stomach discomfort
  • A feeling of not all the stool has passed

What are the immediate constipation relief home remedies during pregnancy?

Following are some home remedies to get relief from constipation during pregnancy and it includes

  • Increase your intake of fiber
  • Consume more fluids
  • Do more physical activities
  • Probiotics
  • Coconut oil
  • Cod liver oil
  • Magnesium
  • Acupressure
  • Meditation and Relaxation
  • Warm Bath
  • Drink Lemon Water
  • Oranges
  • Prune Juice
  • Flaxseeds
  • Kiwi Fruit
  • Vitamin C
  • Apple Juice
  • Cranberry Juice
  • Green Tea
  • Bananas

Let’s discuss the above natural remedies in detail:

Increase your intake of Fiber

Add more foods that are rich in fiber to your diet to reduce the severeness of constipation during pregnancy. Fibrous foods include

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Whole grains

The above foods can increase the number of stools and make it easy to pass.

Consume more fluids

Staying hydrated not only good for you and it can keep the stool soft and easy to pass as a result of it. When you feel water is not helping you at all, then try the below fluids including

  • Clear soups
  • Teas
  • Naturally sweetened fruit
  • Vegetable juices

Add the above fluids to your diet to get an immediate constipation relief during pregnancy.

Do more physical activities

Try to be an active person in your life and being active can-do wonders to your body and make your stool move through the intestines. Doing physical exercises regularly can offer relief from constipation but pregnant women should consult their physician before start exercising.

Probiotics

Your gut stores lots of healthy bacteria and works smoothly. Probiotics can improve the function of the gut and result in regular bowel movements. Following are the foods rich in probiotics and it includes

  • Yogurt
  • Kimchi
  • Sauerkraut

Coconut oil

Research reveals that fatty acids present in the coconut oil boosts metabolism and it stimulates bowel movements. All you need to do is drink coconut oil daily and wait for the results. It is advised to drink two times a day.

Cod liver oil

Cod liver oil is the natural treatment for pregnant women who are suffering from constipation. It helps regular bowel movements as it is rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids and also controls inflammation in the intestines.

Magnesium

Add foods in your diet that are rich in magnesium because it can direct the water to the intestines and make the stool soft and easier to pass. Following are the magnesium-rich foods and it includes

  • Dark chocolate
  • Fish
  • Spinach
  • Nuts

Acupressure

Acupressure can treat mild to moderate levels of constipation and pregnant women should consult their physician before choosing this method. Constipation caused due to the blockage of energy and this technique’s main aim is to find the pressure point and provide relief from constipation to pregnant women.

Meditation and Relaxation

A physician may recommend doing meditation and suggest the pregnant women follow some relaxation techniques to treat constipation because stress and tension can contribute to the cause of constipation and negatively affects the digestive system.

Warm Bath

A nice warm bath can soothe a pregnant woman’s stomach muscles and make the stools soft and easier to pass.

Drink Lemon water

Antioxidant properties present in a fresh lemon can fight off against constipation and provides an immediate constipation relief during pregnancy. All you need is half lemon, and one glass of warm water. Squeeze the fresh lemon into a glass of warm water and drink it daily one or two times a day. You can add honey to increase the taste of the mixture.

Oranges

Fiber can be found in oranges and this fibrous food can increase stool frequency in the people who are suffering from constipation. To experience the benefits of oranges, all you need to do is eat one or two fresh oranges daily during pregnancy.

Prune Juice

Sorbitol is a compound present in prunes and this compound contains properties of laxatives. Prunes are known to be quite effective in reducing the severeness of constipation during pregnancy. All you need is one cup of prune juice and drink it daily four times a day to see the results you want. You can eat prunes if you don’t like to consume prune juice.

Flaxseeds

It has been observed in research that flaxseeds can help pregnant women in relieving constipation due to its laxative properties. All you need is half or two tablespoons of pre-ground flaxseeds and after that add these ground flaxseeds in your diet and consume half a tablespoon daily. Try to increase the quantity from half to 2 tablespoons. Staying hydrated or drinking lots of water is important while consuming flaxseeds daily.

Kiwi Fruit

Kiwi is a water content fruit and also rich in fiber. As a result, it improves the function of bowel movements by making the stool soft and easier to pass. All you need to do is buy a kiwi fruit and consume it daily.

Vitamin C

Taking Vitamin c daily can attract the water content in the intestinal tract and make your stool soft as a result of it. People should limit the intake of Vitamin C and not go over more than two-thousand mg in a day. This limit is only for the normal people and the women who are pregnant should not go more than eighty-five milligrams per day. A discussion with your health care provider before taking vitamin C supplementations would be best for you. Following are the foods rich in Vitamin C and it includes

  • Broccoli
  • Strawberries
  • Broccoli
  • Kiwi fruit
  • Potato
  • Tomatoes
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cauliflower

Including the above foods in your diet instead of taking vitamin C tablets also helps to relieve constipation during pregnancy.

Apple Juice

Pectin is a naturally occurring fiber found in apples. This fiber gives relief to the people who are experiencing hard bowel movements and it promotes immediate constipation relief to women during pregnancy. All you need is one apple and one cup of warm water. Drink apple juice daily to prevent constipation during pregnancy. You don’t need to peel the fruit.

Cranberry Juice

Cranberries are rich in dietary fiber and considered a natural remedy for this condition. All you need is one glass of unsweetened cranberry juice and drink it daily.

Green Tea

Green tea contains caffeine and also exhibits the properties of laxatives. It can help people with constipation and also provides immediate constipation relief to pregnant women. All you need is one teaspoon of green tea leaves, one cup of freshwater, and you can add honey if you want. What you have to do is pour hot water in a glass and add green tea leaves in it. Steep it five to ten minutes and drink the mixture before it turns cold. Honey can increase the taste and it is optional. Drink green tea at least one or two times a day for getting best results.

Bananas

Your physician may suggest eating bananas after having dinner because it contains dietary fiber and nutrients necessary to the body. Bananas can treat the constipation problem in pregnant women due to its fiber content and other nutrients. All you need to do is consume banana daily two times a day.

Conclusion

Pregnant women should increase the intake of fiber foods and consume more fluids to stay hydrated. Pregnant women need to stay hydrated and do some physical exercises with your doctor’s approval to get immediate constipation relief during pregnancy otherwise things will go back to how they were.

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Last Update: September 26, 2020