Constipation during pregnancy: what to do at home?

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

Pregnancy is an interesting state of a woman, filled with the most positive emotions. Unfortunately, almost every patient is faced with unpleasant surprises. One of them is constipation during pregnancy. What to do in such a situation? Is it possible to cope with discomfort at home? This will be discussed in the article.

What is constipation?

Before we talk about what to do with constipation during pregnancy, you should understand what is meant by this ailment.

Constipation is a disease associated with disruption of the intestines. It manifests itself in the form of a lack of defecation. At the same time, the patient's state of he alth deteriorates noticeably: a feeling of bloating and mild discomfort appears. Treatment is prescribed if the bowels have not been emptied for more than 48 hours.

Why is constipation during pregnancy?

According to statistics, every third gynecological patient is faced with severe constipation whenpregnancy. What to do in such a situation? If the stool is absent for more than two days, then consultation with a doctor is mandatory. The specialist will prescribe a competent treatment, depending on what caused the disease. In total, there are several reasons for the formation of constipation:

1. At the time when the embryo is formed and growing, the mother's body "works" in order to create the necessary conditions for this. Almost all women during this period contain the hormone progesterone in excess. It helps to relax the muscular muscles of the intestines, which makes it difficult for him to cope with his usual task.
2. Another factor that slows down bowel movements is prolonged stress. All expectant mothers worry about their baby; think about how the birth and postpartum recovery will go. Negative emotions have a negative impact on he alth.
3. Many women during pregnancy consume less fluid than a person should. Accordingly, the feces become thick and cannot pass through the intestinal wall on their own.
4. Most often, patients ask themselves what to do with constipation in late pregnancy? It is in the third trimester that this problem is very common. This is due to a large load on the intestines and digestive tract.

Also, the patient should think about whether she eats right. There are times when constipation develops after eating unhe althy high-calorie foods.

Can I not treat constipation during pregnancy?

The most dangerousconsidered constipation in early pregnancy. What to do if bowel movement does not occur? First of all, you need to relax. Any stress and nervous tension will only aggravate the situation. The second important step is contacting a specialist. Many expectant mothers do not rush to the doctor, hoping that the ailment will pass on its own. If constipation is not treated in a timely manner, then negative consequences may occur:

• Absorption into the blood of harmful substances released from food debris.
• Excessive weight gain.
• The appearance of a feeling of bloating and discomfort.
• Formation of swelling of the limbs.
• The most dangerous ailment is regular constipation, from which hemorrhoids can form. The uterus will always be in a state of tension, which can provoke a spontaneous miscarriage.

Sometimes constipation is chronic. The consequences in this case appear a little different: inflammation of the intestine or a fissure of the anus.

Change in diet

As it turned out, many expectant mothers are taken by surprise by such a problem as constipation during pregnancy. What to do with them? First of all, you need to change your diet. In this way, constipation can be cured without medication.

There are a number of products that serve as a "scrub" for the stomach. They cleanse the intestinal walls, thin the stool and move it forward.

• All varieties of raw vegetables and fruits. The more of them will be present in the diet, the better forfemale patients.
• Black bread.
• Bran.
• Dried fruits. Laxative effect causes prunes. But do not overdo it with the use of this product.
• Boiled cereals in water or milk: oatmeal, oatmeal, buckwheat, barley.
• Lean meat.

It is strictly forbidden during the period of indisposition to introduce into the diet products that increase gas formation. They can make the situation even worse. Therefore, it is required to completely exclude: all varieties of cabbage, spinach, beans and peas.

In case of constipation, it is recommended to increase the amount of fluid consumed - up to 1.5-2 liters per day.

As it turned out, the lack of a chair can negatively affect the he alth of the mother and her baby. Therefore, it is very important to be puzzled in a timely manner by the question of what to do with constipation during pregnancy.

Glycerin suppositories

“I suffer from constipation in early pregnancy. What to do? . How often these phrases can be heard in the gynecologist's office. In most cases, experts prescribe the safest drug for this case - glycerin suppositories.

A laxative has a double effect on the body:

• Causes the intestinal wall to contract. This helps to accelerate the removal of food residues from the body in a natural way.
• Thinches stool, making it easier to pass out.

Important. Candles based on glycerin should not be taken in the early stages if there is a threat of miscarriage.

Features of the treatment of constipation in the first trimester

The main cause of stool disorders in the first trimester is the acceleration of hormone production. Accordingly, such a problem is already natural in the early stages of embryo formation. So, there was constipation in the first trimester of pregnancy. What to do with this disease? Worth looking into.

Doctors do not recommend taking any laxatives until 12 weeks after conception. This is due to the fact that the entry into the blood of elements of chemical origin can adversely affect the he alth of the mother and baby. It is necessary to try to establish the functioning of the intestines on your own as follows:

• Every morning it is recommended to drink one glass of warm water on an empty stomach. Normally, after 10-15 minutes, a natural urge to go to the toilet should occur. You can add 1 teaspoon of honey or a few drops of lemon juice to the liquid.
• Daily drink herbal infusions from the collection of chamomile, sage, rose hips and strawberries. It is better to do this a few hours before bedtime.

The above methods will not bring the desired result if the patient continues to eat incorrectly. Establishing a diet plays a decisive role in constipation. If natural defecation has not occurred, then the specialist prescribes glycerin suppositories.

Peculiarities of treatment in the second and third trimester

Constipation occurs less frequently during pregnancy from the 2nd trimester. What to do in this case? According to gynecologists, by 12week, all the main "bookmarks" of the little man have already been formed. Further, it will only grow and develop. If you can't get a bowel movement for a long time, you can take one of three medications:

• Glycerin suppositories.
• "Duphalac".
• Transzipeg.

If there are no contraindications, then you can supplement the treatment with light physical activity. Expectant mothers benefit from yoga or walking.

Waiting for a baby is not the period when you can get carried away with self-medication. Taking any medication without fail is required to be discussed with a doctor.

Enema and pregnancy

I have been constipated during pregnancy for a whole week. What to do if the proper nutrition system and the intake of glycerin suppositories do not bring the desired result? The answer suggests itself - you need to do an enema!

The procedure involves the introduction of a drug into the rectum. Almost instantly, the feces liquefy, and the intestines begin to contract and empty. This is a very efficient and fast method. But, is it possible to do an enema for constipation during pregnancy?

In the first trimester, the uterus has a small size, so it is almost impossible to influence it. The procedure should be done only in the absence of any ailments. A contraindication is the threat of miscarriage, hemorrhage and pulling pains in the lower abdomen.

An enema can cure constipation infirst trimester of pregnancy. What to do if the disease overtook at a later date? In this case, it is better to refuse the introduction of an enema into the rectum. Intestinal contraction can cause preterm labor.

The best folk remedies

Often, some he alth problems occur during the holidays, when all specialists have a day off. Constipation during pregnancy? What to do? At home, you can also deal with this sensitive problem. There are four proven methods.

Recipe 1

1. Take 100 grams of prunes and wash them thoroughly. It is recommended to additionally pour dried fruits with boiling water for a few minutes.
2. Move the main ingredient to a large pot.
3. Fill the container with 2 liters of water.
4. Place contents on low heat and simmer for one hour.

Decoction is recommended to drink at night, 1 glass a day. For greater efficiency, 100 grams of oatmeal and 100 grams of beets can be added to prunes.

Recipe 2.

1. Take three types of dried fruits 100 grams each: dried apricots, prunes and raisins.
2. Rinse them thoroughly.
3. Then grind through a meat grinder.
4. You will get a viscous slurry. Add 2 tablespoons of honey to it.

This folk remedy should also be taken at night, 2 teaspoons a day. It should be washed down with plenty of warm water.

Recipe 3.

1. Cut 200g pumpkin into small pieces.
2. Put the vegetables into a deep bowl and place in the oven.
3. Bake for 45-60 minutes.
4. Brush the finished product with honey.

This dish can be eaten for dinner. It is an excellent laxative and has a large supply of vitamin.

Recipe 4.

1. Pour 200 ml of kefir into a glass.
2. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the dairy product.

This mixture should be taken 2-3 hours before bedtime.

Can everyone use folk remedies?

Many people claim that the treatment of folk remedies is the safest method that will bring exceptional benefits to the patient. This is far from true! There are several rules for restoring the intestinal tract in this way.

The first danger is an overdose. Many women think that the more they drink the decoction, the better the effect will be. This is the most common mistake. If you use prunes in large quantities, then a reverse reaction may occur - profuse diarrhea, which is fraught with dehydration. The most adequate rate is from 150 to 250 ml of tincture per day.

The second danger is an allergic reaction. The recipe for many folk remedies includes honey or herbs. You must first take a small amount of tincture or mixture, and then observe how the body reacts to it. If a rash, irritation and other negative phenomena do not appear, then you can safely increase the volume to the required amount.

Preventive measures

KUnfortunately, every year more and more patients are wondering what to do with constipation during early pregnancy. It is worth considering that the violation of defecation is a rather serious problem. And even the most seemingly safe method of eliminating it can harm the he alth of the mother and baby.

To avoid such a problem, it is recommended to take preventive measures in advance, immediately after the two cherished strips appear on the plate.

1. Fiber is a very useful substance that has a beneficial effect on the digestive system. If you consume it daily in small quantities, then there will never be problems with the stool.
2. The more dry foods a person eats, the more likely they are to develop constipation. Hot vegetable soup should be on the food menu every day.
3. Required to observe the correct drinking regimen. The daily norm is from 1 to 2 liters of water per day.
4. In order for the remnants of food not to linger in the body, you need to move more. It is in vain to think that a sedentary lifestyle is good for the baby. Hiking, light exercise or yoga will be of great benefit to mom and her baby.

If the problem could not be avoided, then you should take care of it as soon as possible.

Advice from new moms

In the vastness of the Internet, the topic of what to do with constipation during pregnancy is being actively discussed. Reviews of young mothers allow failed parents to understand which treatment method is the most effective and safe.

Leadershipthe position of sympathy is taken by the remedy "Duphalac" Representatives of the beautiful half of humanity claim that it helped to solve a delicate problem in a short period of time. However, no side effects or negative effects were found.

Visitors of thematic forums also praise glycerin candles. They consider them worthy for the treatment of such a problem as a remedy that can be bought at an affordable price. The disadvantage is that they have to be inserted into the anus, a procedure that few people like.

But as for folk remedies, in this case, opinions differ markedly. Approximately 50% of patients claim that "grandmother's" decoctions instantly caused the urge to go to the toilet. And the second half of site users assures that every day they drank a decoction of prunes, but the desired effect did not happen.

The huge number of different reviews about each remedy confirms the fact that there is no single "pill" that would be ideal for all patients. Therefore, you can choose the most suitable drug only based on personal experience.

Constipation is not just an ailment, but a serious problem faced by most pregnant women. Many of them are embarrassed to see a doctor or do not consider the lack of bowel movements a serious reason for visiting a doctor's office. Remember: even from such a seemingly small problem, serious and irreversible consequences can arise! The sooner treatment is started, the greater the chance of avoiding them.