Pregnancy and Constipation

Six Things You Can Do to Find Relief

If you are in pregnancy and constipation is a problem for you, you are not alone! Here are ten six to do if you want to ease this pain:

1. Don’t stop taking your prenatal vitamins. Even if you think that the iron in the vitamins could be worsening the constipation, do not discontinue your vitamins before consulting your physician. If you stop taking the vitamins, you may cause new problems to start.

2. Move around more. This is especially important to remember early in pregnancy, because it is harder to start exercising the longer you wait. Even if you go for some leisurely walks, this can still help with constipation.

3. Drink more water. During pregnancy, you need more water. And if you are experiencing pregnancy and constipation, it is even more important to drink a lot of water. If the thought of water makes you feel sick, try adding a little lemon or a small amount of fruit juice to give it some flavor.

4. Eat a lot of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. When possible, buy whole grain products with added fiber. Always choose whole grain bread and pasta products. Fruits and vegetables are also great sources of fiber than will help ease the constipation. Try adding in some fruits and raw veggies as snacks or adding some high-fiber cereal into your diet.

5. Go easy on the cheese. Dairy products such as cheese may cause constipation to be worse, so consider limiting or cutting certain foods out of your diet. Just be sure you are getting adequate calcium.

6. Consider taking a fiber supplement. If the above suggestions do not seem to be doing the trick, you may want to consider a supplement, such as Metamucil.

   If you do decide to take a fiber supplement, it is very important to drink adequate water with it. Do not take any laxative products without first talking with your doctor.

For the health of you and your baby, try to practice good nutrition during pregnancy.