Constipation during pregnancy: symptoms and how to treat

Constipation during pregnancy is a normal situation that occurs due to the normal changes that occur during pregnancy and is also favored by the growth of the belly and the weight that the uterus exerts on the intestine, making bowel movements difficult.

Therefore, it is important that women during pregnancy have healthy habits, such as increased water consumption, foods rich in fiber and physical activity, as this way it is possible to stimulate the proper functioning of the intestine.

Constipation during pregnancy does not harm the baby, but it can cause cramps and abdominal discomfort in the pregnant woman. When these symptoms are accompanied by nausea or abdominal pain on one side, it is advisable to consult an obstetrician so that the cause of the symptoms can be investigated and appropriate treatment can be initiated.

What to eat

To treat constipation during pregnancy, several tips can be followed, such as:

• Increase consumption of foods rich in fiber, such as whole grains, fruits with skins, nuts, vegetables, legumes and seeds;
• Drink 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day, which can also be consumed in the form of soups or juices;
• Increase consumption of foods rich in water, such as radishes, tomatoes, turnips, watermelon, strawberries and melon;
• Reduce the amount of foods that contain fiber or that harden the stool, such as sugar, aged cheeses and white rice;
• Do not ignore the urge to defecate, as retaining feces can promote constipation.

Another important tip is to do some type of physical activity, but due to the weight of your belly, the most recommended are muscle stretching exercises and light walks.

Home remedies for constipation during pregnancy

Some remedies to treat constipation during pregnancy include drinking a glass of natural juice from 2 oranges and a cup of papaya before bed. These fruits are natural laxatives, as they contain fiber that stimulates bowel movements.

Read too: Laxative juices for constipation

Another option is a natural yogurt smoothie with papaya and honey, which should be consumed daily for breakfast, in addition to starting with 4 to 5 dried plums daily.

It is also recommended to drink a glass of water with lemon or drink warm tea on an empty stomach, such as chamomile tea, for example.

Read too: Teas during pregnancy: which ones can pregnant women take

Symptoms of constipation during pregnancy

Symptoms of constipation during pregnancy arise because, during pregnancy, the uterus puts pressure on the intestine, in addition, pregnancy hormones slow the transit of food through the intestine. The most common symptoms of constipation during pregnancy are:

The main symptoms of constipation during pregnancy are:

• A lot of effort to evacuate;
• Very hard and dry stools;
• Blood in the stool, in some cases;
• Cramps, malaise and abdominal bloating;
• Bad mood and irritability;
• Gases.

If the symptoms are very intense, or nausea is noticed, for example, it is important that the obstetrician is consulted so that the need to use some type of laxative can be assessed.

Watch the following video and learn more tips to alleviate pregnancy symptoms: