Constipation during late pregnancy: causes, treatments, tips and reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Constipation during late pregnancy worries almost every woman during the period of bearing a baby. And this should not be surprising, because the female body is undergoing great changes.

To successfully solve a problem, you need to know exactly what led to it and quickly respond to the first symptoms.

Causes of constipation

The sooner the cause of severe constipation during late pregnancy is identified, the faster it will be possible to get rid of them. At different times, provoking factors can be varied. Some of them disappear on their own after childbirth.

Maternal causes of constipation:

• malnutrition;
• lack of drinking;
• inactive lifestyle;
• stress;
• chronic diseases in the acute phase.

Causes of severe constipation during late pregnancy, due to the position of the woman:

• hormones;
• enlarging uterus;
• taking vitamins;
• complications;
• violation of intestinal microflora;
• taking large amounts of laxatives.

The closer the birth, the more various factors affect the activity of the digestive tract. First of all, progesterone, which reduces uterine tone, has a great influence. And increased progesterone, on the contrary, slows down the activity of the intestine, leading to intestinal atony.

If during the period of bearing a child the mother had problems with stool, then before childbirth, the percentage of complications increases dramatically. In this case, you should prepare for problems in advance.

Symptoms

Constipation in pregnant women is the absence of bowel movements for more than three days. The condition is accompanied by a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying. Pain appears in the left side of the abdomen.

In the presence of inflammation of hemorrhoids, feces may be red in color. There is burning, itching and soreness in the anus.

Constipation can occur in chronic and acute forms. The acute type is temporary. It arises against the background of any factors. It can be provoked by stressful situations, moving, dietary errors, an inactive lifestyle. If you eliminate this, then constipation will definitely stop.

If it is impossible to remove the cause, the acute form becomes chronic. In this case, constipation will take a long time to treat. Due to the fact that more liquid is absorbed in the intestines, the feces become drier and harder. That's whydecay processes are launched, and toxins enter the bloodstream in large quantities. Severe intoxication develops, and the woman's condition worsens. Due to persistent constipation, the patient's skin also suffers. They turn yellow, lose their elasticity and moisture.

But this is not the main problem. Compaction of feces provokes the development of hemorrhoids and an increase in the muscle tone of the uterus. And the latter can cause an abortion. Given all the problems that constipation can lead to, it is simply necessary to treat it in a timely manner.

Diet for constipation

If you are worried about constipation during pregnancy, and what to do at home is unknown, then first you need to review the diet.

In treatment, one of the main factors is proper nutrition and regimen. At such moments, food should be taken in small portions several times a day, that is, adhere to fractional nutrition. In late pregnancy, the expectant mother should eat about 6-7 times a day. Proteins, fats and carbohydrates must be properly distributed.

Proteins are best eaten in the morning, carbohydrates in the evening. Considering all liquid foods and drinks, you should consume no more than two liters of liquid per day.

Methods of alternative treatment

If you are concerned about constipation during pregnancy, and what to do is not clear, then folk methods will help. But any treatment should always be agreed with the doctor. It must be remembered that there are also such herbs that pregnant women should nevercan't.

Prohibited Herbs List:

• wormwood;
• rhubarb;
• aloe vera;
• nettle;
• buckthorn.

All these herbs affect the muscle tone of the uterus. Therefore, folk remedies should be taken under the strict supervision of a doctor.

Among the herbs you can use:

• motherwort;
• plantain;
• mint;
• violet;
• currant;
• calendula;
• rosehip;
• dill.

Standard cooking proportions - 1-2 tbsp. l. raw materials in a glass of boiling water. But it is better to consult a doctor, because everything is individual, as is the regimen.

No harm to the body

Among the popular recipes of folk remedies that can be consumed without harm to he alth with constipation during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester:

• Eat a couple of kiwis on an empty stomach.
• In the morning you can have breakfast with boiled beets.
• Natural plum juice.
• Drink 50 ml mixed potato juice with water before meals.
• Add a teaspoon of honey to half a glass of milk and drink at night.
• Make tea from rowan and rose hips, drink before going to bed.
• Baked pumpkin in the oven with honey.

Medicated treatment

Drugs for constipation in the third trimester of pregnancy should be selected carefully and, of course, only with a doctor. The list of medicines approved for use is small.

The chosen drug should not only beeffective, but also safe for the baby and mother. Among the popular remedies for constipation during pregnancy, according to reviews are the following:

1. Preparations with lactulose - Forlax, Duphalac, Normolact, Prelax. These medicines are saline laxatives, but the dose of s alt is low. Therefore, they are allowed at all stages of pregnancy.
2. Bifidobacteria. They are most often prescribed for diarrhea, but they also help with constipation. Under their influence, the intestinal microflora and digestive processes are restored. They are recommended to be taken with kefir.
3. Candles. They are usually made from glycerin. The latter softens the feces and helps them out of the intestines. Means are safe because they do not penetrate into the general bloodstream.

The dosages of all the above drugs are selected individually by the attending physician.

What is prohibited

And below are drugs that are strictly prohibited during pregnancy:

1. Annoying. The drugs can cause contractions. These include senna leaves, Karlovy Vary s alt and castor oil. It is noted that the enteric nervous system undergoes degenerative changes under their influence. In addition, they are highly toxic and mutagenic.
2. Volumetric. The composition of such laxatives includes hydrophilic colloidal substances and dietary fiber.
3. Detergents. Otherwise they are called mineral oils. In the process of use, they accumulate in the intestinal walls, which causes inflammation and malabsorption of fat-solublevitamin substances.

Medications that include flax, seaweed and agar-agar are also dangerous. They are harmful because they cause fluid retention in the body.

Danger of laxatives

The biggest danger comes from strong saline laxatives. They have a destructive effect on the body's water-s alt balance and lead to a number of complications.

Fatty lubricants, although they help soften feces, are also prohibited. They interfere with the absorption of those vitamins that are necessary for the proper development of the baby in the womb.

Complications after constipation

It is essential to treat constipation during pregnancy, because the accumulated food debris in the intestines leads to the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms. Toxins are formed that enter the bloodstream and through the placenta to the fetus.

Possible complications:

• hemorrhoids;
• violation of intestinal flora;
• inflammation of the female reproductive system;
• development of decay processes and release of toxins;
• preterm birth;

Due to the disturbed composition of the intestinal flora, the microflora of the vagina also worsens, which threatens the development of colpitis, endometritis, infection in the amniotic fluid, and postpartum complications are possible.

Prolonged constipation during late pregnancy affects not only the general condition of the female body, but also the he alth of the fetus. Toxins that enter the fetus through the placental barrier provokeplacental insufficiency, lead to a delay in the growth and development of the unborn child.

How to prevent constipation?

To pay attention to the prevention of constipation, you need to follow some rules:

1. There should be enough fiber in the diet. After all, dietary fiber is the most wonderful remedy in the fight against constipation. In the daily diet, fruits and vegetables are recommended, always raw. If there are difficulties with the digestion of raw foods, you can subject them to heat treatment. Dried fruits - prunes and dried apricots will help you easily empty your intestines.
2. Rejection or minimal acceptance of certain products. Strong coffee, tea, cocoa, semolina, chocolate and flour products should be minimized. Often there is flatulence and constipation from legumes, cabbage, apples and grapes.
3. Drink enough fluids. If there are no problems with the kidneys and edema, you need to drink a lot. At least 1.5 should be consumed per day. To help the intestines work well, you need to drink half a glass of warm water in the morning on an empty stomach. Breakfast can start in half an hour.
4. Active lifestyle. If you suffer from constipation, you need to increase your physical activity. Take regular walks in the fresh air or make time for prenatal yoga classes.

Tips

The main advice is not to wait until constipation affects the general condition, but it is necessary to treat it on time. Nutrition is the main factor. You need to review your diet and make adjustments if necessary.

What is needed and possibleeat:

1. As mentioned, these are vegetables and fruits. Because they are rich in fiber. Eat raw or steamed. Foods that increase the formation of gases, exclude: cabbage, legumes, spinach.
2. Dried fruits. Prunes are considered very effective for constipation.
3. Grains. Buckwheat, oatmeal and pearl barley help loosen stools.
4. Dairy products. Products must be low-fat. It is better to use them in the afternoon. Exclude hard cheese.
5. Flour. Exclude sweet pastries and white bread. The rest can be done in moderation.
6. Water. To avoid constipation, it is very important to consume plenty of fluids. If a woman is not worried about swelling and heart disease, you need to drink about two liters of water per day. Every day it is useful to drink a glass of warm water before meals in the morning. We must not forget about liquid food, which should also be present in the diet of the expectant mother. It is useful to drink compotes based on dried fruits, homemade jelly, green tea and fruit drinks from homemade jam.

The most important thing is to remove all sweet things from the list of consumed products. Especially chocolate products. You should also limit yourself to s alty, fried and smoked foods.

Of course, you need to lead an active lifestyle. For pregnant women, special exercise programs are now being created that they are allowed to do. Also, walking in the fresh air is extremely beneficial.

Recipes of alternative treatment will help get rid of constipation, but they can also be used for preventive purposes. Necessaryremember that it is always easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later.

And most importantly, during pregnancy, a woman will have to think not only about her he alth, but also about the condition and well-being of the unborn baby.