Causes of constipation during pregnancy and how to overcome it

Difficulty defecating or constipation is one condition that often occurs in pregnant women, and usually appears in the second trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, it is important for Mother to find out the causes of difficult bowel movements during pregnancy and how to overcome them. There are several things that cause difficulty in bowel movements during pregnancy. One of them is an increase in the hormone progesterone which affects muscle relaxation, thus slowing intestinal movements. This makes the process of digestion of food becomes longer and ultimately causes constipation. Pregnant women who experience constipation will experience flatulence, feces become hard, and do not defecate regularly.

Cause of Defecation during Pregnancy

In addition to the increase in the hormone progesterone, there are several other factors that can cause constipation during pregnancy, namely:

• Enlarged uterus

As pregnancy increases, the fetus also develops and makes the uterus enlarge. The larger uterus can compress the intestine and rectum (a place where the faeces are collected before expelling through bowel movements), thus interfering with the process of excretion.

• Consuming less water

Some pregnant women tend to be lazy to drink water, especially with stomach conditions that easily feel bloated because of slowing intestinal movements. Therefore, it is recommended to increase the consumption of water during pregnancy to avoid constipation and dehydration.

• Influence of diet

Without realizing it, pregnant women may be very picky about food during pregnancy, so they do not want to eat foods that should be needed by the body, such as fibrous foods. Pregnant women are advised to consume lots of foods that contain fiber and regulate a balanced nutritious diet to meet nutritional needs and prevent constipation.

• Consume iron

Taking iron supplements is good for preventing a decrease in the number of blood cells, especially for pregnant women who have anemia. However, the side effects of iron supplements during pregnancy can worsen constipation and make pregnant women feel nauseous.

• Not moving enough

Enlarged abdomen and increasing body weight make most pregnant women become lazy to move and move. Pregnant women who are lazy to move are more at risk of having difficulty defecating during pregnancy.

• Stress

Thinking about things that make you anxious and worried can cause stress. Pregnant women are advised to keep their minds to stay positive and relaxed, because stress can have a negative impact on health, also cause constipation.

How to deal with constipation during pregnancy

Overcoming the problem of constipation during pregnancy should not be arbitrary, because it will affect the health condition of the fetus in the womb. For that, try to do natural ways first, before using drugs. Here are some natural ways you can do at home:

• Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as brown rice, fruits, vegetables, beans, and cereals.
• Consuming a minimum of 12 glasses of water per day.
• Exercise lightly at least three times a week, around 20 to 30 minutes. But consult your obstetrician first to find out what exercise is appropriate for your pregnancy.
• If you are taking prenatal supplements and are not having anemia, you can choose supplements that contain lower iron. Prioritizing iron needs from food intake, such as meat, eggs, kidney beans, vegetables and fruit.
• Not holding back the urge to defecate, and immediately go to the toilet when it starts to feel like pooping.

Difficulty defecating during pregnancy is generally not dangerous. However, if you experience severe constipation accompanied by abdominal pain, diarrhea, mucus or blood discharge during bowel movements, causing hemorrhoids, consult a doctor immediately to get the right treatment.