Diet with constipation in pregnant women

Problems with defecation often occur during pregnancy, as the growing uterus compresses the digestive organs, which complicates their motor function. In addition, the hormone of pregnancy( progesterone) relaxes smooth muscles, because of what the movement of stool masses along the intestine slows down.

But the cause of constipation can be not only physiological, but also pathological. Coprostasis develops against the background of pathologies of the intestine, stomach, and liver. Delayed movement of the contents of the intestine can occur by an atonic and spastic mechanism.

Which products from constipation during pregnancy will help, depends on the causes of the pathology. If the peristalsis is increased because of unnatural contractions, and the lumen of the intestine is narrowed, then they speak of spastic coprostasis. It arises because the part of the intestine does not contract normally and the peristaltic wave slows down.

With abdominal pathology, there is spasmodic pain, and the feces appear as solid, dry fragments. Dangerous pathology is that it can lead to obstruction of the intestine( feces can not pass down the intestines because of which they rise to the higher parts of the tract, expand and tear the intestine).

When atonic coprostasia is observed complete atony of the intestine, the peristaltic wave is slowed down. Stool masses are dense at this, and defecation is painful and there is a feeling of incomplete emptying of the intestine. Constipation can occur as a result of malnutrition, lack of fluid, lack of physical activity, fasting, constant containment of urges, long-term stress.

What kind of diet is needed for

To restore normal intestinal motility it is necessary to start with eliminating the provoking factor, that is, to balance the diet, to avoid stress, and, if necessary, to start medical treatment of the underlying disease.

Normalization of the motor activity of the intestine is impossible with the help of laxatives, since they do not affect the cause of the pathology, but only one-time stimulate defecation. In the case of coprostasis, dietary nutrition is of therapeutic importance.

The purpose of the diet takes into account the cause of the symptom and the stage of the disease. In chronic inflammation of the mucosa of the large intestine, diet No 3 is prescribed. Observance of the recommendations allows normalizing the motor function of the intestine. A diet of constipation involves an increased intake of fats( 120 grams) by adding a vegetable oil ration, with the usual intake of protein( 100 grams) and carbohydrates( 500 grams).

Diet No. 3 is physiologically complete, so there is no time limit for its compliance.

If bowel movement is difficult due to an exacerbation of a chronic illness, then a diet No 4B is initially prescribed, and then table No 4B is prescribed. Therapeutic diet excludes the use of fiber, and peristalsis is increased in softer ways. Cold juices are recommended from sweet vegetables and fruits, beet, plum or carrot puree, baked apples, kefir products, vegetable salads with the addition of vegetable oil.

If the cause of constipation is the pathology of the liver, then diet No. 5 is indicated. She recommends increased use of cellulose and magnesium. You need more cereals( especially buckwheat, oatmeal, pearl barley), grain bread or with bran, juices( vegetable and fruit), vegetables and fruits, honey.

If the intestinal peristalsis is disturbed against a background of gastritis or peptic ulcer( which is very rare in pregnancy), a diet table No 1 is prescribed. It assumes mechanical, thermal and chemical shading of the mucosa, which means that the ration is removed from the coarse fiber, and vegetables( beets, carrots, zucchini) are used only ground and boiled, fruits only in the form of homogenized puree.

It is useful to use vegetable oil( linseed, olive, sunflower) and dried fruits from compote. Spastic colitis causes spasmodic pain in the lower abdomen, as well as diarrhea or constipation. The pain does not have a clear localization and usually occurs in the morning or after a meal. Often constipation is replaced by diarrhea, as well as bloating.

The cause of pathology can be long-term stress, hormonal disorders, fatigue. It is spastic constipation that often disturbs women during pregnancy. With this pathology, it is recommended to limit the intake of foods high in fiber, although a small amount of boiled and grated raw vegetables is allowed in the menu.

To reduce the pain you need to eat small portions and avoid overeating

The reasons for constipation during pregnancy can be various factors, so before you increase the amount of fiber in the diet, you should still consult a gastroenterologist to find out the etiology of the pathology.

If, in addition to the difficulty of bowel movements, the feeling of incomplete bowel movement and slight discomfort in the abdomen, there are no other symptoms( nausea, vomiting, heartburn, belching), then you should reconsider your diet. When observing a medical diet that includes the use of "right" foods, the stool is normalized within a week.

Which products stimulate intestinal motility

If intestinal motility is impaired, foods containing food fibers( vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, cereals) should prevail in the diet. Fiber can cleanse the body of cholesterol and bile acids, heavy metals and radionuclides.

Due to its structure, the fibers hold water, which stimulates the intestinal motility. Fiber is not digested in the digestive tract, but is excreted unchanged together with harmful substances. Of fruits, the record holders for the amount of fiber are apples, plums, apricots, bananas.

Also a lot of dietary fiber in grapefruits, grapes, strawberries, lemons, peaches, blackberries, watermelons. Cellulose-rich beets, carrots, cabbage, cucumber, tomato, pumpkin, potatoes, zucchini, eggplant, broccoli. With constipation, dill, coriander, parsley, salad leaves, spinach will also be useful.

Relaxing effect is provided by vegetable oil, fermented milk products, cold juices, rye flour, porridges

It is recommended to drink a glass of cold vegetable juice or water with honey in the morning, and before going to bed drink kefir, compote from dried fruits or eat fruit, a handful of prunes. The menu should include cold first courses, sweets. Drinks and soups that are colder than 15 ° C reduce the secretory activity of the stomach and at the same time enhance its motor function.

Dishes with a high sugar content contribute to the intake of more liquid into the intestine, which means that stool stones will not be formed and the movement of stool will accelerate. The diet with constipation in pregnant women does not limit the use of salt, it can be eaten up to 15 grams, but during this period it should be more careful, since salt delays water, and swelling makes many inconveniences.

The diet does not involve the grinding of products. Fruits should be eaten mostly in raw form and without removing peels from them. Vegetables can be eaten both in raw and in boiled form. In day it is necessary to drink a lot of liquid, at least 2 liters. The more water is drunk, the softer the masses become, so they move more easily through the intestines.

It is necessary to refrain from products that enhance rotting and fermentation in the intestine( fried foods) or contain essential oils that adversely affect digestion. To reduce fermentation, you need to remove from the menu peas, white cabbage, raw milk, carbonated water, beans.

Strengthen the intestinal peristalsis:

• dishes with high content of organic acids. This sauerkraut, pickled vegetables, sour fruit and juices from them, mors;
• groats with food fibers( millet, pearl barley, barley, buckwheat, oatmeal);
• meat with a high content of connective tissue;
• carbonated drinks, kvass, kumis;
• fat, used on an empty stomach. It can be 1-2 spoons of vegetable oil, 100 grams of sour cream or cream;
• products, which increase in volume in the digestive tract( bran, fiber, sea kale).

On the day of a pregnant woman suffering from constipation, it is recommended to consume up to 30 grams of wheat bran filled with boiling water, yogurt or kefir. Also you need to eat 200 grams of berries or fruits or up to 12 pieces of prunes or dried apricots.

Every day you need to eat crumbly porridge, whole grain bread, drink in the morning before eating a glass of cold juice or mineral water, eat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. If, after eating fiber, the state of health worsens, then it should be eliminated, and strengthen the motor skills in softer ways, and vegetables are only after heat treatment.

Should not only eat foods that stimulate the intestinal peristalsis, but also to exclude from the diet food that delays emptying. It is necessary to avoid the use of black coffee, strong tea, chocolate, cocoa, mucous soups, rice, mango, kissels, macaroni, pears, pomegranate.

For a long time fatty meat, canned food, eggs, hard-boiled, smoked, are therefore digested, so it is better to remove them from the diet. Unlike cold dishes, hot( above 60 ° C) stimulate the separation of gastric juice, weaken the motor, and therefore possess a fixing property.

Instead of a laxative, it is recommended that any vegetable oil be eaten on an empty stomach in order to speed up bowel emptying

It is important to consider how the products affect a woman's condition with constipation during pregnancy. Often, coprostasis is accompanied by increased gas production, which means that it is necessary to remove foods from foods that increase flatulence. Bloating is caused by the use of a large amount of starch, raw fiber, drinks with carbon dioxide, sweets.

Flatulence also appears after eating meat at night, as animal protein raises the process of decay in the intestines. To reduce gas formation, one can observe the following rules:

• is in small portions every 3-4 hours;
• fruits can be eaten only two hours after eating;
• vegetables and fruits are cooked;
• monitor the compatibility of products( do not eat different proteins at the same time and do not combine carbohydrates and proteins);
• restrict the use of seasonings.

If a pregnant woman suffers from swelling, it often tries to reduce the amount of fluid consumed, which affects the consistency of stool and they hardly move through the intestines. To avoid constipation, you have to drink from two liters of fluid, and to reduce puffiness, you should limit salt intake. Normalize the emptying of the intestines during pregnancy will help rational exercise.

If the problem with bowel evacuation remains despite changing diet and increasing physical activity, then you need to seek help from specialists. It is not recommended to take medication on your own, as some of them affect smooth muscles and are capable of causing the tone of the uterus. During pregnancy, it is difficult to distinguish between what are the physiological manifestations and what are pathological.

Often, nausea and vomiting, constipation is normal in pregnancy and is therefore ignored, but if the condition worsens and the act of defecation is less than once every three days, you should consult a doctor who is pregnant or with a therapist. Only after understanding the cause of the pathology can you understand what you need to eat, and whether medication is required to eliminate constipation and discomfort.