Are pregnant women prone to constipation?

After a woman becomes pregnant, she is often forced by her family to take supplements, saying that they can help the fetus develop better and improve its resistance. The chance of illness after the fetus is born will be greatly reduced, and the child will be easier to take care of. Many pregnant women find themselves very prone to constipation, which makes them very troubled because they don’t know what to eat and what not to wear. Are pregnant women who eat fruits frequently prone to constipation?

1. Why do pregnant women suffer from constipation?

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that constipation in pregnant women is caused by dysfunction of the large intestine itself. Any dysfunction of the spleen, stomach, kidney, and lungs can cause intestinal qi imbalance and conduction disorders, leading to constipation. Pregnant women should not use laxatives indiscriminately when constipation occurs, especially those within 16 weeks of pregnancy, otherwise it may easily cause miscarriage or premature birth. So what should pregnant women do if they are constipated? Here are some tips for you:

1. Drink honey water.

2. Eat some figs, prunes, etc.

3. Eat more fruits, vegetables and other foods rich in vitamins.

4. Under the guidance of a doctor, take appropriate medicines with mild laxative effects, such as Daodao, Ma Ren Ci Pi Wan, etc.

5. If the condition is more serious, you can choose to use enema or glycerin suppository. It must be done under the guidance of a doctor. It is strictly forbidden to use laxatives, especially in the late pregnancy, to prevent miscarriage.

2. In order to prevent constipation, pregnant women should pay attention to the following issues in their daily life:

1. Do not eat too much refined food and eat more fiber-rich foods.

2. Develop the habit of regular bowel movements.

3. Drink a glass of warm water on an empty stomach after getting up every day to stimulate intestinal peristalsis.

3. What are the hazards of constipation in pregnant women?

Pregnant women suffering from constipation may have a reduced appetite in mild cases, which aggravates intestinal dysfunction; in severe cases, they may induce self-poisoning because many metabolic products in the body need to be excreted through feces. In case of severe bowel movement, the metabolic products accumulated in the intestine are absorbed again and cause poisoning. This is harmful to both pregnant women and fetuses. When pregnant women suffer from constipation, they must drink plenty of water and eat more whole grains and fresh vegetables and fruits.

4. So what harm does constipation bring to pregnant women?

1. Accumulation of toxins in the intestines may cause enteric endotoxemia, which has extremely serious consequences for the body and the developing fetus, and may even lead to fetal malformations.

2. The study found that among women with constipation, 23.2% had abnormal breast development, while among women without constipation, only 5.1% had abnormal breast development, which was a significant difference. Long-term constipation causes intestinal toxins to accumulate and be absorbed and enter the breast milk, causing diarrhea in infants and affecting their growth and development.

3. In the late pregnancy, constipation will become more and more serious. Pregnant women often go without bowel movements for several days or even 1-2 weeks, which can cause abdominal pain and bloating.

4. Severe constipation can lead to intestinal obstruction, rectal prolapse, and premature birth, endangering the safety of mother and baby. A patient had most of her small intestine removed at 38 weeks of pregnancy due to constipation and intestinal obstruction leading to small intestinal necrosis.

5. Affects delivery. When some pregnant women with constipation give birth, the feces accumulated in the intestines hinder the descent of the fetus, causing prolonged labor or even dystocia.

6. From a cosmetology perspective, people with long-term constipation have a higher incidence of acne and herpes. Their skin is generally rough, their complexion is dull, and they lack moisture, which leads to pregnancy spots.