Constipation in early pregnancy, learn 5 points to avoid worries

Many women will experience constipation symptoms in the early stages of pregnancy. They do not understand the causes and are afraid of affecting the health of the fetus, so they seek medical attention blindly. In fact, this is a very normal physiological phenomenon. As long as pregnant women maintain a good attitude, replenish water in time, have regular bowel movements, pay attention to diet and increase exercise, constipation problems will no longer bother you.

1. What to do if you have constipation in early pregnancy

1. Maintain a positive attitude

Pregnant women should maintain a good attitude, eliminate negative emotions such as tension and anxiety, avoid affecting gastrointestinal motility, and help relieve constipation.

2. Stay hydrated

Proper water intake can relieve constipation symptoms. Pregnant women need to drink enough water every day. If you add some lemon juice or honey to the water, the effect will be better.

3. Regular bowel movements

Regular bowel movements and forming good bowel habits can also effectively relieve constipation. Pregnant women can defecate after getting up every morning. Drinking a glass of boiled water before defecation has a good promoting effect.

4. Pay attention to your diet

Pregnant women should pay attention to a balanced diet and nutritional combination. They can eat appropriate amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grain foods to help relieve constipation symptoms. However, attention should be paid to reasonable intake to avoid excessive flatulence.

5. Exercise

Pregnant women can do appropriate physical exercise in the early stages of pregnancy to promote blood circulation and intestinal peristalsis, and help relieve constipation symptoms. It is worth mentioning that pregnant women should follow the principle of moderation when exercising, pay attention to safety and avoid excessive fatigue.

2. Why is constipation common in early pregnancy?

After pregnancy, the body secretes a large amount of progesterone, which causes weakened gastrointestinal muscle tone, slower peristalsis, and indigestion of food. The ever-growing uterus compresses the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in obstructed defecation, slowing down the transfer of food between digestive organs, and causing food to stay in the gastrointestinal tract for a longer time. When the waste produced after metabolism stays in the intestine, the intestinal wall cells absorb the water in the metabolites, and the water decreases.

Less stool hardens, leading to difficulty in defecation. In addition, after many women become pregnant, they consume a lot of high-protein, high-fat foods, or their diet is too refined, which causes a lack of fiber in the gastrointestinal tract that helps stool slide downward, making defecation difficult. Some women have reduced digestive ability after pregnancy due to their limited mobility and laziness to exercise. For pregnant women, constipation during pregnancy is more painful than normal constipation. The difficulty in defecation caused by constipation not only ruins the mood, but also can cause abdominal pain and bloating in pregnant women. In severe cases, it can lead to intestinal obstruction and premature birth, endangering the safety of mother and baby. To avoid or reduce the pain caused by constipation, pregnant women should pay attention to the following aspects during pregnancy:

1. Pay attention to a healthy diet

In daily life, eat more vegetables rich in dietary fiber and fruits rich in water, such as celery, bitter gourd, banana, pineapple, peach, leek, pumpkin, etc. When cooking, pay attention to minimize the damage to the nutrition of the food itself, which can promote gastrointestinal motility and soften stool; drink more water, fruit juice and vegetable juice are better, at least 2000 ml of water a day, especially after increasing the intake of dietary fiber, be sure to drink more water, otherwise your constipation will become more severe; eat less refined grains and foods that are difficult to digest, and eat more coarse grains; eat some acidic foods such as plums that are conducive to digestion after meals; drink soup first and then eat staple food when eating, which is conducive to smooth gastrointestinal tract.

2. Appropriate exercise

Move your whole body to speed up the movement of your intestines and stomach. Exercising after meals is often emphasized in traditional Chinese medicine. Moderate exercise can enhance the abdominal muscle contraction of pregnant women and prevent or relieve constipation. Therefore, even if the body is bulky, pregnant women should do some simple exercises within their physical strength, such as walking, slow dancing, etc., to enhance the power of the digestive system.

3. Develop a habit of regular bowel movements

After getting up, drink a glass of warm water or honey water on an empty stomach to unclog the intestines. Together with the upright reflex and gastrocolic reflex after getting up, it can promote defecation. When you want to go to the toilet, go immediately. Controlling the urge to defecate is harmful to your health. When defecating, it is best to use a sit-down toilet, which can relieve blood stasis in the lower abdomen and the formation of hemorrhoids.

4. Seek medical attention promptly if constipation is severe

Generally speaking, constipation during pregnancy is a temporary phenomenon and can be quickly eliminated through dietary adjustments. However, if constipation is severe, pregnant women should seek medical attention in time. For mild cases, they can take mild laxatives under the guidance of a doctor. In severe cases, enema, glycerin suppository and other drugs may be used. However, pregnant women should not take medication on their own, and should avoid using laxatives to prevent miscarriage.