Constipation during pregnancy

Constipation during pregnancy is a very unpleasant and even dangerous condition that can be a threat to interrupt the bearing of a child. Approximately every second woman during pregnancy complains of problems with bowel movement. And this is not surprising, given the changes that are taking place in the body of the future mother.

Constipation manifests itself not only in the long intervals between acts of defecation. Such a disorder can be expressed in the difficulties that arise during the emptying of the intestine, even if the frequency of the chair is preserved. Also, constipation is expressed in recurring sensations not fully emptied of the intestine.

Not always problems with bowel movement appear in painful sensations during defecation and hard feces. In some cases, a woman may not even be aware of the problem.

To solve this problem is not so difficult as it may seem at first glance, but for this it is important to know the exact causes of stool delay and to react quickly to the appearance of the first signs. Nevertheless, the treatment during pregnancy is somewhat difficult due to contraindications to the use of many medicines, especially in the first trimester.

In addition, sometimes it is simply impossible to influence the elimination of the main cause, since hormonal restructuring of the female body can cause constipation. In this article, we will talk in detail about why women are constipated with constipation. Also we learn how to deal with the problem with the help of safe medicines and recipes of traditional medicine.

Causes of

Constipation during pregnancy in some cases is associated with the omission of the uterus and a change in the location of the intestine. The problem can also be psychological in nature, when a woman is afraid of harming a child with a prolonged complicated stool.

At the beginning of pregnancy, the causes of constipation may be:

• an increased level of progesterone - a hormone that slows the motor activity of the intestine;
• hemorrhoids;
• unstable psychological state;
• increased uterine tone. At the very beginning of pregnancy, there is often a threat of miscarriage, which is why a woman is shown bed rest;
• stressful situations;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• improper power;
• autoimmune and allergic processes;
• insufficient intake of natural water;
• taking medications with potassium and iron. Such remedies make the stool harder and worsen its progression through the intestines.

Often stool retention in pregnant women is associated with hormonal changes in the body

In the second and third trimester, the causes may be slightly different:

• hormonal alteration;
• low in the diet of foods rich in fiber;
• fear of the appearance of edema, because of which a woman drinks a little liquid;
• forced bed rest;
• the intestine reacts badly to the impulses coming in when it is filled with calves. In general, this is a protective mechanism, otherwise too active peristalsis could cause premature birth or miscarriage;
• toxicosis, because of which a woman can make large breaks between meals;
• stretching the muscles of the perineum and the press;
• decreased sensitivity of the pelvic plexus. This leads to the fact that a stronger stimulus is required for the appearance of a urge to defecate;
• emotional overstrain;
• change in taste preferences;
• reception of vitamin complexes;
• increase in uterus in size;
• in late terms, the head of the child with lowering squeezes the bowel even more, interfering with the passage of stool;
• chronic diseases of the digestive tract.

In some women, the problem with intestinal work remains in the period of breastfeeding. Learn more about how to deal with constipation after childbirth, you can learn from this article. Enlarged uterus squeezes the intestines, which leads to a deterioration in the progress of stool. In addition, it causes venous congestion and as a result may result in varicose veins of the hemorrhoidal veins.

Increasing in size, the uterus squeezes the intestines and worsens the process of feces

Symptoms of

Problems with bowel evacuation cause such unpleasant symptoms:

• decrease in stool frequency;
• an unformed hard stool that comes out in pieces;
• squeezing, raspiranie and pain during the act of defecation;
• anal fissures causing pain, itching and burning in the anorectal area;
• sensation of incomplete emptying;
• painful sensations in the left side of the abdomen and groin;
• change in taste in the oral cavity;
• nausea;
• headache attacks;
• appetite impairment;
• appearance of veinlets at the end of stool;
• disability;
• rumbling of the abdomen;
• white coating on the tongue;
• apathy, nervousness;
• bloating.

Potential hazard

The large intestine has good absorption properties. If a stagnant process develops, decay products and toxins are absorbed into the blood, poisoning the body of a woman and a child. In addition, the intestine, which is full of calves, presses on the uterus, which can cause an increased tone of the genital organ.

It is interesting that the uterus and intestine have a common innervation, so the sharp activity of intestinal peristalsis can cause a contraction of the uterus and cause an abortion. Strong constipation during pregnancy can lead to hemorrhoids.

In early terms, severe constipation can cause a threat of miscarriage, and at later times - lead to premature birth. Stool retention can also cause dysbiosis. The change in the quantitative and qualitative composition of the intestinal microflora can lead to the spread of the problem to reproductive organs.

During childbirth, a child can become infected with pathogenic microorganisms, and from the first days he will be tortured by colic. In addition, dysbiosis in the mother can cause the development of hereditary bowel diseases in the child. It is worth noting that with constipation, a lot of stress is placed on the liver and makes the female body work just to wear.

As a result, there may simply not be the strength to struggle with other problems. Problems with evacuation are further depressed by the protective forces that are so necessary during pregnancy. Chronic constipation contributes to the development of dysfunctions of the biliary tract and digestive organs.

They can even cause inflammation in the large and small intestine. Pain and heaviness accompanying constipation, create psychological discomfort. Stool retention is fraught with infection of the urinary tract. The woman's risk of having postpartum complications increases.

Constipation creates psychological discomfort

Constipation treatment

There are many ways that you can cope with constipation, but with many of them women should be extremely cautious when carrying a child. Many drugs are banned, especially in the case of early periods. Self-medication of such a harmless, at first glance, condition, like constipation, can lead to the loss of a child. It is not enough to fight this problem once, if you do not want it to bother you in the future, it is important to constantly monitor your lifestyle and diet.

Can I do an enema?

Enema is a fast method for cleansing the intestines. This procedure during pregnancy is undesirable, since the uterus is closely located to the intestine and extraneous effects can cause an increase in the tone of this genital organ. In the early stages of the enema has a minimal effect on the uterus, since this body has not yet increased in size.

If a woman has been diagnosed with a threat of miscarriage, there are drawing pains and spotting, this procedure can further exacerbate the situation. So, 2 and 3 trimester is not the best time for an enema. During this period, there are risks of premature birth. Purification of the intestine can be carried out in a hospital after the onset of labor. In other cases, gynecologists can prescribe microclysters to pregnant women.

Medications

There are a lot of tablets, syrups, drops against constipation in pharmacies, but not all of them are allowed for pregnant women. Safe means will help to find a qualified specialist.

Consider a list of drugs that will help treat problems with bowel movement:

• Mukofalk. The basis of this medicine is the seeds of plantain. Seed shells absorb water, increase the volume of stool and accelerate their evacuation. Along with this, women should consume at least one and a half liters of water a day;
• Forlax. It includes a macroologist. It is available in powder form for the preparation of a suspension. Forlax is not absorbed into the blood. Allowed for use in the absence of colitis and damage to the intestinal walls;
• Phytomycin. It includes seeds of plantain and shell of plum fruit. Phytomycin increases feces in size, facilitates its evacuation, and also removes debris from the walls of the intestine;
• Dufalac improves the absorption of potassium and calcium. The drug normalizes the work of the digestive tract and normalizes the evacuation of stool;
• Gutallax is approved for use only from the second trimester of pregnancy. It increases the intestinal peristalsis. Use in the early stages of pregnancy can lead to miscarriage;
• Nux Vomica softens hard stools, eliminates spasms and improves absorption of nutrients;
• Microlax. The remedy is used in the form of microclysters. The effect does not make you wait, after about ten minutes there is a urge to defecate. In the blood, Microlax is absorbed in small amounts and does not affect the development of the fetus.

Dufalac will help to get rid of constipation

Problems with the intestines cause huge discomfort, glycerin suppositories help fight them. The suppository has an oily structure that facilitates slipping of stool. When dissolved, the agent softens and dilutes solid stools.

Traditional medicine

Alternative medicine should be used with great care and only after permission of a specialist. Next, let's talk about the proven and safe recipes of the Narodniks. Infusion of prunes helps to lead the peristalsis of the bowel rate. To make it you should grind a quarter of a glass of prunes and pour two cups of boiling water. The agent should be infused overnight. You can add a little honey to taste. After waking up before breakfast, prunes should be eaten and liquids should be drunk.

Coping with constipation will also help potatoes. It is necessary to take one root, peel and grate on a fine grater. Then we put the resulting mass on gauze and squeeze the juice. Then it should be mixed in equal proportions with water. Take recommended for fifty grams before each meal.

It is also recommended to add to the tea a small amount of crushed dried fruits. Suitable apples, pears, prunes, raisins, dried apricots. The known means for normalizing peristalsis are flax seeds. A teaspoon of the product should be filled with a glass of boiling water and leave to infuse for four hours. Use liquid before bedtime, but before use, the contents of the container must be loosened.

Food

The lion's share of the diet for constipation should be wheat bran. Prune, dried apricots, fresh yogurt will also help to reduce the stool delay. Dishes are best cooked steamed or baked. Pregnant women are recommended to exclude from the diet products that provoke gas formation:

• legumes, cabbage, spinach, sorrel;
• garlic, radish, radish, onion;
• sweets, chocolate;
• apple and grape juice;
• baking, pasta, white bread;
• smoked meat, canned food;
• solid cheeses;
• dishes with seasonings and spices;
• fatty meat, rich broths, mushrooms.

I will have to give up the products that cause flatulence

Prevention

Immediately upon detection of a problem, it is necessary to start treatment. But before this pregnancy it is important to learn several important rules that will help in the future to prevent the occurrence of constipation. The most effective preventive measure is the observance of dietary nutrition. It is best to switch to a split meal, that is, to eat food often, but in small portions.

Also you should not forget about other recommendations:

• try to limit or even completely exclude from the diet strong coffee, tea, white bread, baking, fresh pastry, fatty, fried;
• protein foods try to eat in the morning so that it can digest;
• consume more vegetables, fruits, fermented milk products;
• include in the menu vegetable oils and dried fruits;
• walk, outdoor recreation, easy morning exercises - all this will help improve digestion;
• drink more natural water. Calculate the recommended amount can be based on body weight.

Problems with bowel movement in pregnant women is a spreading phenomenon. Stool retention is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms and causes psychological discomfort. On the question of how to get rid of constipation during pregnancy, doctors have already given an answer. The fight against the problem includes a whole range of therapeutic activities and lifestyle changes.

Proper nutrition and moderate activity will help in some cases completely eliminate constipation. Sometimes, however, the use of medicines will be required, it may be Dufalac or glycerin suppositories. But it is worthwhile to understand that it is impossible to influence some of the causes, for example, hormonal adjustment and squeezing the intestine with a growing uterus.