What to take for constipation during pregnancy. Causes of constipation at different stages of pregnancy. Problems caused by constipation during pregnancy

The article will help expectant mothers understand why constipation can occur during pregnancy and how to safely solve the problem with bowel movements.

Constipation is a phenomenon familiar to almost every second or third pregnant woman. They can appear in a woman both in early and late stages of pregnancy.

Causes of constipation in early pregnancy

Constipation is defined as the absence of bowel movements for three days. In addition to the fact that a woman feels heaviness in the intestines, it is bloated, filled with gases, she can also feel pain in the lower abdomen.

All these unpleasant moments make the woman’s condition not very comfortable; constipation also negatively affects the pregnancy itself, since the reproductive organs are located in close proximity to the intestines.

IMPORTANT: Some women do not have bowel movements for several days, others may have a feeling of incomplete bowel movement, which also causes discomfort. All these phenomena characterizing constipation have their own explanation.

Causes of constipation in pregnant women early stages are:

1. Active production of progesterone. During pregnancy, already in the early stages, an active restructuring of its hormonal balance begins in a woman’s body. The hormone progesterone, which is responsible for maintaining pregnancy, begins to be actively produced. The action of this hormone is aimed at relaxing smooth muscles, including the intestines.
2. Changes in diet and movement patterns. One of possible reasons constipation on early stages pregnancy is considered a change in a woman’s motor pattern. Some pregnant women may even be prescribed bed rest to maintain pregnancy, and some may even limit it themselves due to their new position. Insufficient physical activity pregnant women can lead to a decrease in intestinal tone
3. Taking iron supplements to prevent anemia. Peculiar Negative influence Timely defecation can also be affected by the woman taking the necessary medications containing iron and calcium. These minerals make stool denser, which can cause constipation.
4. Reducing the amount of fluid consumed. Another reason for constipation is a woman’s restriction of fluid intake, which is recommended for her to avoid swelling
5. Toxicosis and food refusal. Many women suffer from toxicosis in early pregnancy. To avoid and alleviate the condition, they may refuse their usual diet and be malnourished, and this automatically means a lack of bowel movements
6. Stress. Various stresses associated with the new condition of the pregnant woman can also play an important negative role.

Causes of constipation in late pregnant women

Constipation can accompany a pregnant woman in the later stages.

In the second and third trimester, problems with bowel movements in the expectant mother may occur due to the fact that the baby puts pressure on her intestines.

The reasons for this phenomenon may be:

• an increase in the size of the uterus, its pressure on the intestines
• the same swelling of the extremities and attempts to avoid them by not drinking enough fluid, due to which the stool becomes hard and difficult to expel
• stress
• reduced physical activity
• possible malnutrition
• pressure from the fetal head on the intestines as it assumes the pre-labor position

VIDEO: Constipation in pregnant women

Constipation remedies for pregnant women. Laxative for constipation in pregnant women

• Unfortunately, constipation in pregnant women can cause unpleasant consequences for the expectant mother and her baby, since the intestines are located in close proximity to the uterus and birth canal
• If the intestinal microflora is disrupted and pathogenic bacteria develop in it, they can also infect the birth canal
• Also, waste products of pathogenic bacteria can enter the bloodstream and infect the body.

The desire to get rid of the masses accumulated in the intestines forces the pregnant woman to push, and this can lead to miscarriage and premature birth.

IMPORTANT: You should try to avoid all these problems, however, it turns out that there are not many remedies for getting rid of constipation in pregnant women

A pregnant woman cannot use habitual laxatives due to various reasons:

• due to their irritating effect
• due to the effect on smooth muscle
• due to their ability to disrupt enzyme and mineral composition, which is undesirable for women

However, there are some medications that a pregnant woman can take, in consultation with her doctor. These are the drugs microlax and fortrans, duclac.

1. Microlax is a mini-enema that will have a laxative effect within a few minutes
2. Duclac is a probiotic that cares for the preservation and development of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, a lactulose-based drug that has a mild laxative effect

• To the above-mentioned preparations such as Duclac and Microlax, you can also add the preparation phytomucil based on plant fibers, which helps soften the contents of the intestines and promote its trouble-free emptying
• However, we emphasize again that all medications, even the most delicate ones, should be taken after the recommendations of an obstetrician-gynecologist
• In addition to these modern drugs, pregnant women can traditionally use suppositories for constipation

Constipation suppositories for pregnant women

A doctor will help pregnant women choose suppositories for constipation, but this is perhaps the main remedy that will allow a woman to get rid of such a problem.

Their advantage is that they are not absorbed into the blood through the intestinal walls and do not disturb anything in the woman’s body. Their action, gentle and effective, is to irritate intestinal receptors and soften feces.

Can pregnant women have an enema for constipation?

• There is no clear answer to the question of whether an enema can be used for constipation in pregnant women.
• Each remedy for regular bowel movements should be prescribed by a gynecologist in each specific case.
• In principle, an enema can be given to pregnant women in the early stages, in the first trimester of pregnancy.

IMPORTANT: Enema is not advisable during latest dates, since relaxation of the intestinal muscles can tone the uterus, and this can, in turn, cause premature birth

Oil for constipation in pregnant women

Vaseline, vegetable, linseed, pumpkin oil is considered good remedy from constipation. But, again, pregnant women are a special category, and the most delicate and safe means of relieving constipation should always be selected for them.

As for vegetable or olive oil, then only a doctor can give such a recommendation. But pumpkin seed oil might work.

RECIPE: Pumpkin oil for constipation
Pregnant women can be recommended to take pumpkin oil 3 times a day, a teaspoon, until their stool normalizes.
Pumpkin oil in a volume of 1 teaspoon can be added to 1/3 of a glass of yogurt mixed with 1 tablespoon of honey. This mixture is taken before bedtime.

If you take unrefined olive or sunflower oil, then it is best to add it to any porridge. The beneficial laxative effect of the oil, plus the fiber in the cereal, is an excellent means of preventing constipation.

Prunes for constipation in pregnant women

Prunes and other foods are the best remedy from constipation. They are natural, and among other things, they will strengthen the woman’s body useful substances and vitamins, primarily iron. Lactic acid products, plums, beets, and prunes should be included in the daily diet.

RECIPE: Prune decoction
Pour a glass of boiling water over 2-3 berries and leave for a little while. The broth is drunk and the berries are eaten.
This decoction can be made richer by adding a few raisins and 2 - 3 dried apricots to the prunes.

Prevention of constipation in pregnant women

As preventive measures for constipation for pregnant women it is necessary to name:

• fiber-based nutrition and fresh vegetables and fruits
• food must be prepared, preferably by boiling or stewing
• Dry food should be avoided
• sufficient physical activity - walking, light exercise, if there are no contraindications
• a glass of warm water on an empty stomach

VIDEO: Constipation during pregnancy: 5 methods to combat it

Unfortunately, every woman has to deal with unpleasant surprises during the 40 weeks of pregnancy. One of them is constipation. They not only cause discomfort, but are also dangerous for pregnant women.

Symptoms of constipation during pregnancy

Each person has a different frequency of bowel movements. Some people have bowel movements 2-3 times a day, while others have bowel movements every 2 days. This is considered normal. Many people suffer from constipation, but expectant mothers are much more likely to face this problem than others.

The main symptoms of constipation during pregnancy:
- a downward change in the frequency of bowel movements;
- small amount of feces;
- dryness and hardness of stool;
- presence after defecation of a feeling of incomplete bowel movement.

A pregnant woman may exhibit all of these signs or only some of them.

Causes of constipation during pregnancy

For representatives of the fair half of humanity who are expecting a baby, the causes of constipation can be different. One of them - increased progesterone levels in organism. This hormone has a relaxing effect on the intestinal muscles (peristalsis is disrupted, hypotension occurs).

The cause of constipation during early pregnancy may be iron and calcium. These useful microelements are necessary for pregnant women. Doctors even sometimes specifically prescribe medications containing iron and calcium.

Pregnant women lead an insufficiently active lifestyle. Some people, if there is a threat of miscarriage, go to bed rest. Exactly low physical activity may cause constipation.

During pregnancy, the expectant mother must monitor her diet. Because of lack of fluid bowel movements may be slow and difficult.

Constipation during pregnancy can also occur due to diseases of the anal area. For example, an anal fissure or hemorrhoids can be the cause of this unpleasant phenomenon.

Pregnancy is not complete without stress. They arise due to physiological changes in the body, fear of childbirth, thoughts about upcoming sleepless nights and other worries. Experiences negatively affect the frequency of bowel movements.

What are the dangers of constipation during pregnancy?

Women who have never previously suffered from slow and difficult bowel movements may experience this during early pregnancy. Many of them experience constipation during late pregnancy. This unpleasant phenomenon does not go away without a trace. Constipation poses a particular danger to an expectant mother and her unborn baby.

Due to difficulties with bowel movements, harmful substances that are formed as a result of the breakdown of food are retained in a woman’s body. Being in the intestine, they are absorbed into the blood through its walls. This can have a negative impact on the mother and fetus.

Constipation can cause a lot of discomfort. A woman in this position may feel heaviness in her stomach and pain. All this can cause unwanted experiences and frustrations.

Many women are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to push with constipation during pregnancy. During the period of bearing a child attempts are not advisable. If a woman has to push lightly and rarely, this will not cause serious problems. Regular constipation is dangerous because tension in the abdominal muscles can lead to hemorrhoids or miscarriage.

Stagnation of contents in the intestines can cause complications. For example, proctosigmoiditis (inflammation of the rectum and sigmoid colon), secondary colitis, paraproctitis (inflammation of the peri-rectal tissue), anal fissure can occur due to prolonged constipation.

Products for constipation during pregnancy

Not every woman knows what to do for constipation during pregnancy. Food plays a huge role in their treatment. A pregnant woman should include in her diet foods that contain substances that promote bowel movements. You should also be aware of foods that can cause constipation.

Intestinal emptying is promoted by:
- raw vegetables and fruits;
- black bread;
- bread containing bran in significant quantities;
- dried fruits (especially prunes);
- buckwheat, oat, barley cereals;
- meat with a lot of connective tissue.

These products for constipation during pregnancy should be included in your menu.

Pregnant women who complain of constipation and bloating should limit their intake or completely eliminate fiber-rich foods from their diet.

To avoid constipation, you need to ensure that your intestines work correctly throughout your pregnancy and that there are no digestive problems. The diet must contain foods rich in fiber.

These include:
- any type of cabbage,
- carrot,
- cucumbers,
- tomatoes,
- beet,
- zucchini,
- black bread,
- flour products from black (or red) flour,
- nuts,
- dairy products with a shelf life of up to 3 days,
- pumpkin,
- beans,
- peas,
- apples,
- oranges,
- melons,
- peaches,
- apricots,
- plums,
- strawberry.

You also need to drink plain water no gases.

Vegetables can be consumed both raw and boiled (or baked), as well as as a dressing with vegetable oil.

Fruits can be consumed both fresh and baked, and in dried fruits, juices (or compotes).

Pregnant women need to eat often, but little by little, 5-6 times a day, in small portions. Dry food is prohibited.
Before each meal, be sure to drink 1-2 glasses of warm water without gases.

From the diet it is necessary exclude foods and drinks such as:
- tea,
- coffee,
- cocoa,
- chocolate,
- White bread,
- flour made from white flour,
- slimy soups,
- semolina porridge and products with semolina,
- blueberries.

And exclude fatty and fried foods.

Should be abandoned from dishes made from spinach, sorrel, cabbage, and beans, which cause increased gas formation.

If possible, you should exclude from your diet some pureed dishes (especially semolina and rice porridge), substances with a viscous consistency (for example, slimy soups). Some expectant mothers do not know whether cocoa and strong black tea cause constipation during pregnancy, and drink these drinks. In fact, you should remove them from your menu, as they only hinder bowel movements.

Pregnant woman in You should drink 1.5-2 liters of liquid per day. It can be plain water, juices, fermented milk products. It should be borne in mind that this much liquid can be consumed if there are no contraindications: heart disease or edema.

Medicines for constipation during pregnancy

As you know, pregnant women are not advised to take medications, as they can adversely affect the fetus. Then how to treat constipation during pregnancy? Drugs should only be prescribed by the attending physician if there are serious indications for this. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate. Your actions can only harm yourself and your unborn baby.

Almost all pills for constipation are contraindicated during pregnancy. Substances included in most drugs irritate receptors in the colon. This helps to enhance its peristalsis. In pregnant women, medications can cause an increase in uterine tone and contraction, and this can result in a miscarriage.

Doctors may prescribe glycerin suppositories from constipation during pregnancy. They gently irritate the receptors of the rectum and do not affect uterine tone.

Thus, the use of medications is unsafe during pregnancy. The drugs can cause miscarriage and disturbances in fetal development. Expectant mother dreaming of healthy child, should not take medications without a doctor's prescription. Only a specialist can determine whether it is necessary to treat constipation during pregnancy with medications or whether it can be done without them.

Folk remedies for constipation during pregnancy

A good and safe folk remedy for constipation - prune decoction. To prepare it, you need to take 100 grams of washed dried fruits, 100 grams of rolled oats and 100 grams of beets. Mix all these ingredients, place them in a saucepan and pour 2 liters of water. Boil prunes, rolled oats and beets over low heat for an hour. After this, strain the broth and put it in the refrigerator. Before going to bed you should drink 1 glass.

Also helps with constipation during pregnancy prunes, dried apricots and raisins with honey. To prepare this mixture you will need dried fruits (100 g each) and 2 tbsp. l. honey Rinse prunes, dried apricots and raisins thoroughly and pass through a meat grinder. After this, add honey and mix thoroughly. It is recommended to take 2 tsp of this product before bed, washing it down with warm water.

Good for constipation compote of dried apricots and prunes. It has a mild laxative effect, which is especially important when carrying a baby.

Ingredients:
Prunes – 100 gr;
Dried apricots – 150 gr;
Water – 2 l.

Preparation:
Soak the fruits in hot water for 15 minutes.
Drain the water and rinse the fruit.
Place the steamed fruits in a saucepan and fill them with cold water.
After the compote boils, reduce the heat. Boil dried fruits for 7-10 minutes.
Then add sugar and remove the pan from the heat.
Let the compote stand covered for 1 hour.
You can add honey (to taste), a little lemon juice or a pinch of cinnamon/vanilla (to taste) to this compote.

It is worth noting that some folk remedies for constipation during pregnancy prohibited(for example, senna leaves, rhubarb, buckthorn bark, joster fruits).

Preventing constipation during pregnancy

Pregnant women may not experience constipation if they take some preventive measures.

First of all, you should pay attention to your diet. The diet should include foods rich in fiber. It improves the digestion process. It is advisable that the daily menu include a liquid dish (for example, soup or borscht). Foods that cause constipation should be excluded from the diet.

Particular attention should be paid to the drinking regime. Many representatives of the fair sex are afraid to drink a lot of fluids because possible appearance swelling. This is completely wrong. A pregnant woman should drink enough water. Salty foods should be excluded from consumption. This is necessary so that salt does not retain water in the body.

To avoid severe constipation during pregnancy, you should move more. Modern mothers lead a sedentary lifestyle. Some are afraid to move too much, believing that movements can harm the child, while others are more busy communicating on social networks.

Absence physical activity provokes a slowdown in digestion. Of course, in this position you won’t be able to do jogging or any complex exercises, but about walking fresh air, you shouldn’t forget about regular walking.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the most reasonable option, thanks to which a pregnant woman can avoid difficult emptying, is prevention. If you still had to deal with constipation in the early stages of pregnancy or more later, then you can use folk remedies.

However, it should be borne in mind that not all of them are harmless. Don't be afraid of visiting a doctor. He can give good advice and safe remedy for constipation during pregnancy, and if necessary, will prescribe a medication and explain how to take it.

_______________________
P.S.: Despite the fact that I follow a diet for pregnancy, at 25 weeks I became so stiff that microcracks formed and I passed stools with severe pain and blood. First, I turned to my G. She prescribed me suppositories. I did not use it, because the instructions say: Contraindicated for pregnant women. I turned to the Proctologist. He prescribed -G suppositories and a diet to normalize stool (See above). Although the instructions say that these suppositories can be used as early as the first trimester, the doctor asked me to wait until the beginning of the third trimester. That’s what I did, I used one diet. The diet helped quickly, it didn’t make me stronger anymore. To ensure that the cracks heal quickly, after each hike I rinse off with cool water and apply cream to dry skin. The candles were of no use to me.

Two thirds of expectant mothers and every third of women who give birth complain of constipation during pregnancy. Most of them prefer to cope with unpleasant symptoms themselves, finding them normal for their condition. However, such a frivolous attitude towards the disease can be unsafe for both the mother and her unborn child. Timely initiation and proper therapy is very important for improving a woman’s well-being. Let's find out what causes constipation during pregnancy, what threats it poses to the mother and child, and how to solve the problem of eliminating it without negative consequences.

Constipation is a disorder of the intestinal tract, which is expressed by:

1. in long intervals between bowel movements, if we compare these periods before pregnancy;
2. in difficulties arising during bowel movements (even if the usual frequency of stool is maintained);
3. in periodically repeated sensations of incomplete emptying of the intestines.

During such a complication, the volume of feces released from the intestines decreases, and its density also changes (it hardens, its structure resembles a stone). Often, with constipation, you have to push, experience pain and discomfort in the abdomen.

What causes constipation in pregnant women?

Constipation during pregnancy is associated with prolapse of the uterus and a change in the position (displacement) of the intestines. Among the circumstances that cause constipation during pregnancy are of a psychological nature - the fear of harming the child during prolonged complicated bowel movements. In addition, non-compliance correct mode diets and unhealthy foods also lead to this problem. Constipation in pregnant women is divided into two types: nutritional and mechanical.

Conditions for the occurrence of alimentary constipation may be:

• sudden intestinal decrease in the amount of water;
• reducing the amount of food and fluid in the body;
• The foods that dominate the menu do not contain enough fiber.

The reasons for the occurrence of mechanical constipation may be:

1. Mechanical constipation occurs due to disruption or cessation of the movement of feces in the small or large intestine.
2. Often, the structure of feces and its passage are affected by various diseases (renal failure, diabetes, hemorrhoids) and taking certain medications.

Causes of constipation at different stages of pregnancy

Constipation in pregnant women is caused by many factors. This is a restructuring of the general hormonal background, an increase in the size of the uterus and a functional shift in the intestines due to fetal pressure. Often the reason for stool retention is a purely psychological reason, when the patient is in interesting position a woman is afraid of strong strain during bowel movements, so as not to harm her child. In addition, anxiety about the possible appearance of hemorrhoids interferes with normal bowel movements.

Constipation during early pregnancy is caused by the following reasons:

• consequences of systemic diseases;
• decreased gastric secretion and reduction of its evacuation capacity;
• increased production of progesterone by the body, which reduces the intensity of intestinal motility.

Constipation during pregnancy in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters occurs for a number of reasons:

1. Transformations occurring at the hormonal level and increased production of progesterone by the body, which helps reduce the tone of the muscles of the intestinal tract, which causes its hypotension.
2. Lack of hard fiber in the daily menu, found in vegetables, fruits and grains. This also includes changes in taste preferences, in which, for example, greens or other necessary food products seem tasteless or generally unpleasant to the pregnant woman.
3. Insufficient water intake due to fear of possible swelling of the legs.
4. Emotional stress, which almost all women experience during pregnancy, contributes to a decrease in intestinal motility. Fear of the upcoming birth and changes at the psycho-emotional level serve as a prerequisite for the occurrence of constipation of neurogenic etiology.
5. Lack of physical activity, especially in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, and when there is a threat of miscarriage, sometimes a woman has to comply with forced bed rest - leads to intestinal atony.
6. Taking certain vitamins and microelements, which are sometimes recommended for pregnant women, is quite capable of causing a decrease in colon motility.
7. A significant increase in the size of the uterus in later stages and a change in the location of any intestinal loop can dull the feeling of the urge to defecate.
8. Increased manifestations chronic diseases Gastrointestinal tract, if they were observed before pregnancy.

Special compounds are formed in the human body that activate intestinal motility. And when pregnancy occurs, the ability to produce such a substance in the intestinal tract is significantly reduced, which becomes one of the causes of constipation. Since the uterus and intestines have a single innervation, as a result of which almost every excessive stimulation of intestinal motility can give impetus to the contractile activity of the uterus, which can provoke the risk of miscarriage. But, unfortunately, this reflex can create a significant problem - a disturbance in the functioning of the intestines such as constipation during pregnancy. The main thing is that there is no therapy for such constipation, since it is purely physiological in nature.

Main signs of constipation during pregnancy

• inability to have a proper bowel movement for more than 3 days;
• reducing the number of bowel movements;
• painful sensations in the abdomen;
• irritation in the anus;
• burning sensation in the rectum;
• the stool is steep and almost rocky;
• blood impurities in the stool;
• a very small proportion of feces excreted from the body;
• the intestines are not completely emptied;
• a feeling of bitterness in the mouth and nausea;
• rumbling in the stomach and flatulence.

How to treat constipation during pregnancy

Side effects of almost all medications, their ability to penetrate the placental barrier, discomfort in health - these are the reasons that make it impossible to use most traditional ways healing. Let's look at some of the most harmless options for treating constipation using traditional medicine, and with home remedies.

What pregnant women can do for constipation: medications

The effects on the body of almost all means that facilitate bowel movements are to improve intestinal motility. Treatment of constipation during pregnancy with laxatives is used if adjustments to diet and lifestyle do not give the desired effect. Taking into account that most pharmaceutical products are characterized by serious side effects, only the doctor must prescribe them for the expectant mother and only after balancing the benefits of their use and the probable danger to the unborn child.

Constipation in pregnant women can be treated with the following medications:

1. Rectal suppositories with glycerin stimulate the rectum and do not affect the hypertonicity of the uterus.
2. Duphalac, Prelax - contain substances based on lactulose, retain water in the intestinal tract, which helps soften the stool, activates intestinal motility and evacuation function.
3. Microclysters (Microlax) - the drug is characterized by rapid onset of results.
4. Vaseline oil - helps soften the intestinal contents and facilitate their elimination.

Folk remedies for constipation during pregnancy

Undoubtedly, before using any of the home remedies to combat the disease, you need to consult with your doctor, since it is unknown how the body of a pregnant woman will respond to any drug.

The most famous methods of dealing with constipation that will not harm the expectant mother:

• Freshly squeezed potato juice dilute with water (1:1), drink it three times a day, 1/4 cup before meals.
• Squeeze the juice from 1 kg of red rowan, add 600 g of sugar to it, stir. Drink a quarter glass twice a day. The juice should be stored in a cool place.
• Brew 1 teaspoon of flax seed with boiling water (200 ml). Leave for several hours, drink at night, without first filtering the seeds.

Should you see a doctor?

Constipation during pregnancy is not something to be taken lightly. Harmful substances that form in the large intestine during constipation can cause severe harm to the baby and the well-being of the pregnant woman. The frequent consequences of constipation can, in turn, provoke uterine hypertonicity, which can lead to miscarriage.

Constipation in pregnant women can lead to abnormalities in the intestinal microflora and contribute to the increased proliferation of bacteria. As a result of prolonged constipation, pathogenic bacteria freely enter the urinary system from the intestines. After some time, they can expose the genitals to infection, and also become the root cause of colpitis.

In addition, constipation during pregnancy in the first trimester increases the risk of purulent-septic complications in the future. For example, the possibility of postnatal endometritis or hemorrhoids during pregnancy increases, and the threat of premature birth increases.

Changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy are a matter of course. Rebuilt hormonal background, internal organs and the circulatory system work with redoubled force, and this may well manifest itself from the negative side. Edema, excess weight, emotional instability - these are not all the “unpleasant” companions of pregnancy. There is another very delicate problem that every expectant mother has probably encountered at least once - constipation. What to do if you have constipation during pregnancy, what danger does it pose, and how to deal with it?

Why is constipation dangerous during pregnancy?

What is constipation? WHO experts classify constipation as a disease, while gastroenterologists consider it not an independent disease, but a symptom that manifests itself very clearly.

If the normal number of trips to the toilet is “mostly” from three times a day to three times a week, then constipation is considered a condition when bowel movements occur less frequently than three times in 7 days.

A person suffering from constipation experiences very unpleasant and even painful sensations, since he cannot go to the toilet until he feels a complete emptying of the intestines, the stool is dry and hard.

Causes of constipation

During pregnancy, there can be several causes of constipation. These include the generally accepted ones:

• improper diet, poor in dietary fiber;
• lack of activity physical plane;
• taking certain medications;
• stress;
• diseases of the intestines and anal area;
• hormonal imbalance;
• “lazy bowel” syndrome and so on.

But there are also “specific” reasons that are specific to pregnant women:

• activation of the production of the hormone progesterone: this hormone helps maintain pregnancy and relaxes the muscles of not only the uterus, but also the intestines;
• the doctor prescribes iron-containing anti-anemia drugs: due to iron, the stool becomes denser and does not move well through the intestines;
• limiting the drinking regime as a measure to prevent edema: drinking less water to avoid swelling, a woman harms digestion;
• pressure of the uterus or fetal head on the intestines in later stages of pregnancy;
• fear of pushing in the toilet or incorrect posture during bowel movements.

By the way, the modern design of the toilet does not allow you to take a physiologically correct position for bowel movements. The squatting position is the position when the rectum is straightened and bowel movements occur naturally. The higher the toilet, the more often constipation can occur, not only in pregnant women.

The dangers of constipation during pregnancy

Is constipation harmful for pregnant women? Without a doubt! And that's why.

When processed food is not removed from the body for more than 24 hours, the intestinal microflora is disrupted, fermentation and rotting begin, and completely unhealthy toxins are released, which is quite bad not only for the mother, but also for the fetus. In addition, the microbiocenosis of the vagina is disrupted, which leads to candidiasis and vaginal dysbiosis.

Attempts to push in the early stages (and also in later stages) can lead to the appearance of cracks in the anal passage. The woman will experience excruciating pain every time she goes to the toilet and receives rectal medications. In later stages, constipation can cause premature birth.

Experiencing enormous stress, the venous system of pregnant women often suffers, blood circulation in the walls of the small intestine and large intestine is disrupted, and hemorrhoids develop. Hemorrhoids, in addition to constipation, bring real suffering, and every trip to the toilet becomes torture for a woman.

Laxatives for pregnant women

There are many medications against constipation that are allowed during pregnancy.

In the early stages

It should be remembered that laxative medications can only be prescribed by a doctor.

Any pharmacological agent during pregnancy is a potential danger for both the mother and the fetus.

Conventional medications such as Gutolax or Senade can cause irritation of the smooth muscles of both the intestines and uterus. However, the doctor may prescribe:

• “Fitomucil”, which contains fiber (from the shell of plantain seeds and plum fruits), which painlessly and gently eliminates constipation and normalizes the bacterial balance in the intestines: one sachet twice a day;
• “Duphalac”, lactulose syrup, which not only relieves constipation, but also restores microflora: 15-45 ml daily in one or two doses;
• “Forlax” is a powdered product with macrogol, which is used diluted with water, 1 to 2 sachets per day.

In the later stages

More often, naturally, constipation occurs in the last trimester, when the uterus is so enlarged and heavy that it literally squeezes the intestines. But this is also the time when the baby’s main organs and systems are formed, and great harm They cannot apply drugs to them. However, even now you cannot do without the recommendations of your attending physician! During this period, in addition to the medications listed above, the doctor may advise:

• "Microlax", which is available in the form of microenemas, the effect is noticeable within 7-15 minutes after use (rectally, following the instructions);
• Glycerin suppositories, which act locally and do not have negative consequences for the child.

But experts advise starting treatment for constipation with dietary fiber, and using medications only when necessary and for a short period, since the safety of mother and child comes first.

A laxative that increases stool volume is much preferable to a stimulant laxative.

Thus, the herb senna, widely used as an active substance, is considered safe only at normal doses. Laxatives that increase the volume of feces in the intestines, as well as drugs with lactulose, do not penetrate the placenta and are safe for the fetus.

Enemas and microenemas. Is it possible?

Many people of the older generation, far from medicine, may recommend enemas as a remedy for constipation during pregnancy. However, following such advice is quite dangerous!

Late enemas are especially harmful. It is no coincidence that doctors recommend an enema to women before sending them to the delivery room. And cleansing the intestines is not the only goal here. The fact is that an enema relaxes the intestinal muscles and similarly affects the muscles of the uterus. And, if there are no contractions and the cervix is ​​sufficiently dilated, an enema can significantly speed up labor due to the appearance of contractions.

For this reason, treating constipation with enemas is prohibited, as this can cause uterine tone and cause early birth. In addition, frequent use of enemas leads to lazy bowel syndrome and the leaching of beneficial microflora.

Folk recipes. Treating yourself at home

Traditional medicine knows how to get rid of constipation during pregnancy. The methods below are absolutely safe for the child and normalize stool quickly and gently.

Oils for constipation

Natural vegetable oils are considered a good remedy for constipation, relax the muscles of the colon and allow softened stool to be expelled painlessly. However, not all oils can be used during pregnancy! Castor oil is strictly prohibited, as it excessively provokes muscle activity. But using these oils is useful not only to combat constipation, but also for general strengthening of the body:

• sunflower;
• olive;
• linen;
• pumpkin seed oil.

Seasoning your dishes with them or taking a teaspoon on an empty stomach in the morning can quickly correct this delicate issue like constipation.

Regular butter, by the way, also has a positive effect on intestinal motility, so with morning tea, a sandwich with butter is not only satisfying, but also healthy.

High fiber salads

By combining various products for constipation in one dish, you can cope with this problem without pharmaceutical drugs. Delicious, vitamin-enriched salads in the daily diet of the expectant mother, due to their high fiber content, improve digestion and prevent constipation.

Beet salad with garlic

This dish helps against constipation and viruses during the cold season.

Ingredients:

• boiled beets - 2 medium-sized root vegetables;
• garlic – 1-2 cloves to taste;
• sour cream or vegetable oil for refueling.

Grate the beets, squeeze the garlic through a garlic press, stir, season with oil or sour cream to taste.

Carrot-apple salad

Ingredients:

• carrots and sour apple in equal quantities;
• sugar to taste;
• lemon juice taste.

After peeling the carrots and apples, grate them. It is better to refuse a blender - the larger the lettuce particles, the better they fight constipation. Season the salad with sugar and lemon juice.

Fresh cabbage salad with carrots and onions

Ingredients:

• fresh cabbage (white) – 300 grams;
• medium-sized carrots - 1 root vegetable;
• onion – 1 head;
• lemon juice, salt, vegetable oil - to taste.

After peeling the onion, chop it into crumbs, sprinkle with lemon juice and leave to marinate a little. Meanwhile, chop the cabbage and grate the carrots. Mix all the vegetables in one bowl, season with oil.

In addition to fiber-rich salads, it is recommended to consume black bread, bran, raw vegetables, rosehip decoction, soups, cereal porridges with water (ideally oatmeal). But you should be careful with kefir: only fresh kefir weakens (up to 5 days of storage), while more “aged” kefir, on the contrary, strengthens it!

Prunes

A good “friend” of the intestines is prunes. It contains a lot of fiber and pectin, which is why this dried fruit is an excellent laxative. It is recommended to eat up to 10 fruits per day, but you can also eat prunes as part of other dishes and drinks.

For example, prune compote is useful. It can be prepared either from prunes or from additional ingredients (dried apricots, raisins, figs, apples, etc.).

Ingredients for compote with prunes:

• dried prunes – 80-100 grams;
• water - liter;
• granulated sugar - to taste (1-5 tablespoons).

The washed prunes and sugar are poured into boiling water, brought to a boil again, and kept for a couple of minutes at a low boiling point. The drink is drunk in a glass on an empty stomach in the morning, an additional dose is taken in the afternoon or at night.

Kefir-prune mix– another healthy drink if you are prone to constipation. It’s easy to prepare: 5-6 prunes are doused with boiling water and crushed in a blender. Mix with a glass of fresh kefir. A drink is drunk before bed, and a light toilet is provided in the morning.

Product restrictions. What not to eat if you are constipated!

Prevention, as is known, better treatment, and therefore during pregnancy it is recommended to limit the consumption of certain foods if you suffer from constipation periodically or regularly. Here is a list of some of them that contribute to constipation:

• whole milk;
• baking;
• polished rice;
• meat in pure form, no fiber-containing side dishes;
• persimmon;
• pears;
• unripe fruits, mainly bananas;
• eggs;
• potato;
• coffee;
• chocolate.

It is absolutely impossible to live without some foods, because the development of the fetus is promoted by adequate nutrition of the mother. Therefore, you can find a compromise: if foods that cause constipation are on the menu, then half the serving of “harmful” foods should be diluted with vegetables (raw, boiled or stewed), and also replace white bread and baked goods with black or whole grain bread.

How much water should you drink?

The success of good digestion lies in adequate drinking regimen. You need to drink enough water. Even if a woman is prone to edema during pregnancy, she cannot refuse water; it is worth reducing the volume of other liquids (juices, milk, broths), and reducing the amount of salt consumed. On average, you need to drink about 2-2.5 liters of water. This is especially true in the hot season, as well as with a tendency to constipation.

In addition to constipation, the following signs will indicate a lack of water in the body:

• dry and cracked lip skin;
• dark shade urine and its pungent odor;
• peeling of the skin of the face, hands, brittleness of hair and nails.

Water balance is important not only for the normal well-being of the mother! The baby also needs water, because the amniotic fluid in which he is located must be renewed several times a day. If you suffer from constipation and swelling at the same time, water with lemon helps a lot - water balance is maintained in the body, but excess fluid is eliminated due to acid.

Constipation during pregnancy is common. You need to put aside your embarrassment and be sure to inform the doctor, who will help you find the optimal solution to this delicate problem.

Video on the topic

The pregnancy period is especially amazing, sometimes unpredictable and each time unique for a woman. Alas, it is not always accompanied by exclusively positive emotions and vivid memories. On every corner expectant mother Various unpleasant “surprises” await you. According to some reports, more than 70% of pregnant women experience constipation in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, even if they had never known what stool retention was before. Constipation is considered to be the absence of bowel movements for more than 3 days, the stool is too dry and hard, there is little of it, and after going to the toilet there is no relief.

There are many reasons for this condition. The main one is the pregnancy hormone progesterone. It supports the uterus while relaxing the intestinal muscles. This fact, in turn, confirms that most often constipation during pregnancy cannot be avoided. Well, it is also known why it is dangerous for the mother and her baby. Among the main concerns are premature birth, as well as intoxication of both organisms as a result of retention of feces in the intestines.

Based on all that has been said, we conclude: you shouldn’t wait for everything to pass, but you need to do something. It is clear that during pregnancy every mother tries to use “chemicals” as little as possible, which is why many laxatives are prohibited. What will he say? ethnoscience? Yes, there are many remedies to help alleviate this unpleasant condition. Grandmother's recipes include a huge number of different natural ingredients. But is everything suitable when a woman is in an interesting position? Alas, most even folk remedies are contraindicated during pregnancy, especially for herbs that have a laxative effect.

In this article we will talk about those methods that are allowed to be used during the period of bearing a child without fear for his health.

Let's start with something simple, because it is always important to start treatment in a timely manner. Do not wait until stool retention becomes so long and unbearable that it will already affect general health. As soon as you feel something is wrong (it’s hard to go to the toilet, the urge has decreased, the stool has become dry and dense) - act.

The most important thing is to reconsider your diet, since this factor also affects the occurrence of constipation. However, keep in mind that constipation can be “cured” with certain foods. So, what you can and need to eat:

• Foods rich in plant fiber, especially vegetables and fruits. They can be consumed both raw and steamed. Cabbage, onions, spinach, sorrel, and legumes are prohibited, as they increase gas formation.
• Dried fruits. Homemade “sweets”, decoctions, infusions, teas are prepared from them, and they are also eaten as usual. Prunes are especially useful for constipation (decoctions based on them act instantly).
• Cereals. Buckwheat, oatmeal, pearl barley, and millet help loosen stool, but rice and semolina, on the contrary, strengthen stool.
• Bread with bran. You shouldn’t overuse it, but it’s also not advisable to eliminate it completely; only white bread and all baked goods are prohibited.
• Dairy products. Their fat content should not be too high, and it is better to consume them in the afternoon. The exception is hard cheeses (they are contraindicated for constipation).
• Water. Drinking regime is a very important condition for preventing constipation. You should drink up to 2 liters of water per day if you do not have edema or heart problems. Every morning on an empty stomach, drink a glass or two of clean water at room temperature. Also in the diet should be liquid soups, fruit juices, uzvar, jelly, but strong tea and coffee are the best “buddies” for constipation.
• Eliminate sweets from your diet especially chocolate candies, too salty, smoked and fried. Such food will definitely not add health and strength to you.

TO general recommendations This also includes an active lifestyle, walks in the fresh air, and gymnastic exercises that are acceptable for pregnant women. Remember, all these recommendations are excellent prevention of constipation, because any problem is better to prevent than to treat, especially during pregnancy.

Folk remedies for constipation

If, nevertheless, the measures described above were not enough, and constipation still overtook you, then you can resort to folk recipes, which have a mild laxative, analgesic and antispasmodic effect. But let's start with what should not be accepted. There are especially many bans on herbs, since some of them affect the smooth muscles of the uterus, which can cause its excessive contraction and thereby cause premature birth. Moreover, some plants (for example, wormwood) can poison the fetus. During pregnancy the following are strictly contraindicated:

• senna leaves;
• wormwood grass;
• rhubarb;
• aloe vera;
• nettle;
• millennium;
• buckthorn;
• Joster fruits.

Only under the supervision and with the permission of a doctor can you take infusions of flax seeds, chamomile decoctions and castor oil.

Among the herbs that are approved for the treatment of constipation during pregnancy:

• lemon balm and mint;
• motherwort and plantain;
• dill and ginger;
• violet and calendula;
• currant and blueberry leaves;
• rowan and rosehip fruits;
• dill herb

And finally, the actual recipes for folk “medicines” for constipation.

• Eat 2 kiwis with peel or one boiled beet in the morning on an empty stomach.
• Drink any freshly squeezed fruit juice, but plum works best.
• Take 50 ml of potato juice diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio before each meal.
• Before going to bed, drink half a glass of warm milk with a teaspoon of honey.
• Drink small portions of tea made from fresh rowan berries or dried rose hips.
• Before going to bed, drink a glass of low-fat fresh kefir, adding 1 tsp. olive oil.
• Bake 200 g of pumpkin in the oven and eat, brushing it with 2 tsp. honey

We also offer you recipes consisting of several components:

• Combine 100 g of prunes (dried fruits must be pitted and washed) with grated beets (100 g) and rolled oats flakes (also 100 g), add 2 liters of water to all these components, put on fire and cook for 2 hours, then strain the broth and cool. Take a glass before bed, store the “medicine” in the refrigerator.
• Combine prunes, dried apricots and raisins in equal parts (100 g each), mince, add 2 tbsp. natural honey and mix well. Take 1 tablespoon of the product before going to bed with a sufficient amount of warm water.
• Grind figs and prunes in equal proportions, add a pinch of coriander, roll the mixture into small balls and eat 2-3 pieces a day.
• Herbal decoctions are usually prepared at the rate of 10 g of herb per 200 ml of boiling water. Boil the “medicine” in a water bath for 10-15 minutes, leave for 1-2 hours. In this way, a decoction of violet, dill, rowan flowers, linden leaves, calendula flowers, mint or lemon balm is prepared. Take 1 tbsp. three times a day before meals (or 15 minutes before meals).

These simple recipes will help you get rid of constipation almost immediately. Some of them can be taken for prevention.

We wish you good health and an easy pregnancy!