The inability to expel the hard feces from the rectum is a dreading physical uneasiness. When you experience this condition, it is probably constipation. It is a condition of the digestive system, which occurs when the colon takes in too much liquid from the food. Simultaneously, the slow movement of the food through the digestive tract, makes it easier for the colon to absorb more liquid content from them, and making them hard. This turns the feces dry and hard, and creates difficulty in the bowel movement.
This is the most usual reason for the constipation. But, for the pregnant women, the underlying reasons trigger some other reasons for the condition. And when it happens to the pregnant women, it is quite painful and intolerable as other complications of pregnancy remain at its peak.
The Reasons Of Constipation In Pregnant Women
Difficult evacuation or infrequent bowel movements are what’s referred to as when pregnant women develop the condition of constipation. An estimated of 11% – 38% pregnant women suffer from this bowel movement complication.
During pregnancy, the gastrointestinal tract in women confronts anatomic and physiologic changes. As a result, you can see a lot of hormonal changes in the pregnant women. For instance, the progesterone levels see a surge, while the motilin hormone levels go down. And together they influence the bowel movement time through the tract. Simultaneously, the liquid absorption from the intestines increases too, which contributes to the stool dry out. Other than the hormonal changes, there are other factors too, which advocate the fecal impaction in pregnant women.
During pregnancy, you tend to take other pills and vitamin supplements as well. In most cases, pregnant women stop doing any physical activities. Hence, the increased amount of vitamin pills and decreased maternal workouts result in constipation. Serious complications from constipation can be experienced by you later in the pregnancy phases, when your uterus becomes large, and create a hindrance to the movement of feces.
Health Complications Of Constipation During Pregnancy
Though fecal impactions are uncommon, many pregnant women may develop this condition. And when this occurs, the result turns into a drastic physical condition. This is the most common gastrointestinal health issues, followed by nausea faced by the pregnant women. The common complications of constipation during pregnancy may involve anxiety, uneasiness and anxiety. These complications interfere with your daily life and activities.
Ways To Prevent The Condition Of Constipation During Pregnancy
The first line of therapy to treat the constipation symptoms include increasing the intake of dietary fiber, coupled with moderate level of daily exercise.
Take A High Fiber Diet
During pregnancy, it is ideal to incorporate a dietary fiber in your diet of 25-30 grams. Fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, bran, bread, grains and prunes are rich in high dietary fibers.
Increase Your Dependency on Fluids
When you increase your daily intake of fibers, it becomes necessary to drink plenty of fluids. This helps you avoid developing bloating, gas and cramping from the use of excessive bulk forming agents or fibers. Make sure to drink at least 10-12 glasses of fluids, comprising fruit juices and water. If you do not have the urge of drinking liquids, you can sweat hard through exercises. This increases your requirement to have more liquids.
Take Daily Exercise
You become inactive when you do nothing. And this becomes evident during pregnancy. Do a moderate level of daily exercises. A brisk walking or swimming may help. They are good enough to stimulate your bowel movement. Do workouts for 30 minutes thrice a day.
Things To Avoid During Pregnancy
Laxative products are a strict no no. They cause contractions of the uterus, and thus leading to dehydration. Simultaneously, remember to not use too much of iron supplements. You can use natural ways to replenish your iron needs.
