Iron Deficiency
Constipation

Why am I so constipated?

Pregnancy is usually a wonderful (and worrisome!) time for most women. There is nothing that can describe the feeling of having another being rapidly growing inside you, while moving and communicating with you too. To most women, this is worth the petty annoyances and health issues that can arise, such as constipation. Many women suffer from constipation during pregnancy, with one study finding that it effects around a quarter of all pregnant women. It can be embarrassing to talk about; therefore some women suffer in silence until it becomes a really difficult issue. Here are main reasons for constipation during pregnancy.


Causes of Constipation during Pregnancy
  • The body undergoes a drastic change in the hormone levels during pregnancy. This sudden change in the hormonal health of a women results in constipation.
  • During pregnancy, the body tends to retain water, causing loss of water inside the digestive tract and causing constipation.
  • Constipation might occur at any one of the trimesters or whole of pregnancy period.
  • Sometimes, due to the growth of the fetus inside the uterus, some disturbances occur within our digestive tract. This can also lead to improper bowel movement.
  • Expecting mothers have a low appetite during the first trimester. This results in the formation of gas, causing constipation.
  • Intake of medicines is a common thing during pregnancy. A few medicines might result in improper bowel movement. Taking calcium or iron supplements can even aggravate the condition.
  • During pregnancy, the muscles of the intestine and the stomach are relaxed. This can assist in increasing the problem. The food and the wastes move slowly inside the system.
  • The expanding uterus often causes pressure on the intestine, resulting in difficulty in passing of the bowel.

Symptoms of Constipation during Pregnancy

More than 50% of the total populations of women have suffered from improper bowel movement at some point of time during pregnancy. The various symptoms are as follows:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Discomfort in the abdominal area
  • Feeling of fullness even after passing stool
  • Infrequent bowel
  • Hard stool
  • Irritation and painful passing of stool
  • Agitated mood
  • Headache and nausea

What should I do?
Iron
  • Make sure you're drinking enough. According to the Institute of Medicine, you should be getting about 10 cups of water per day while pregnant. Each cup should be eight ounces of liquid. Inadequate water intake is the most common cause of constipation during pregnancy. Because food is moving more slowly through your body, it absorbs more water. Therefore, drinking more water can help soften your stools.
  • Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of fiber. Whole grains are also an excellent source of fiber. Try more beans. Beans are also a great source of fiber.
  • An exercise program may do more than keep your bowel movements regular. Exercise can help you prepare for childbirth and ease the physical strains of labor.
  • Squeeze half a lemon into a glass of lukewarm water and drink the mixture every morning to have a smoother bowel movement.
  • Raisins (kishmish) are packed with fiber and act as great natural laxatives. Soak a handful of raisins in water overnight and have this full mixture in the morning on empty stomach. This remedy also works wonders for pregnant woman and even to little infants (in less dosage) without the side effects.
  • First try drinking one cup of hot milk with a large teaspoon of ghee last thing at night, at least one hour after dinner; this is enough for a lot of pregnant women.
  • If you need something stronger add a teaspoon of psyllium husks (Ishabgool) to your hot milk.

Here are some list of fruits, vegetables, grains and dried fruits.

Fruits

  • Oranges
  • Kiwi
  • Watermelon
  • Pears
  • All berries
  • Apple
  • Plum

Vegetables

  • Broccoli
  • Sweet potato
  • Cabbage
  • Lentils
  • Green beans
  • Green peas
  • Spinach
  • Sweet corn

Dried fruits

  • Dried plum
  • Apricot
  • Fig
  • Prunes
  • Flax seed
  • Dates with ghee

Others

  • Oatmeal
  • Brown rice
  • Cereals with milk
  • Sprouted mung
  • Yogurt
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