Constipation is a common problem that every woman faces during pregnancy. They suffer very badly due to constipation every day. But they don’t talk to anybody regarding this issue because of embarrassment.
Sometimes they buy medicines or stool softeners without the doctor’s suggestions and this becomes the reason for great problems in pregnancy. You can definitely have medicines. But you should get suggestions from your doctor or practitioner about that. But before getting medications, you should try some remedies that can help you to remove constipation in pregnancy.
Today we will talk about those remedies. But first, let’s know what the basic reasons for constipation are:
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Causes of Constipation During Pregnancy
There are several reasons behind constipation in pregnancy. The following are some of them.
1. Reduced food and water consumption: There are many would-be-mamas who can’t eat proper foods and even water. This causes constipation in pregnancy.
2. Changes in hormones: During pregnancy, the production of progesterone slows down. It affects the digestive system and causes constipation.
3. Changes in diet: You can’t maintain your regular diet during pregnancy. You have to change your diet plan so that your growing fetus gets enough nutrition. This may cause constipation.
4. Due to iron supplements: Consuming iron in pregnancy is another reason for having constipation in the pregnancy period.
10 Effective Home Remedies to Handle Constipation in Pregnancy
1. Lemon
Lemon is a good remedy for enhancing your digestion power. It helps to digest food and flush out the toxins. You have to add some lemon to a glass of warm water and drink it regularly. It will reduce bowel contractions and remove constipation. Adding some water makes the liquid light and easy to drink. This is an effective way of curing constipation.
2. Water
Well, you have no alternatives to drinking more and more water in pregnancy. It helps to keep your body cells hydrated and helps to pass the stool. You should drink at least ten glasses of water every day. This much water is perfect for maintaining the digestive system freely and making the hard stool soften.
3. Citrus Fruits (Oranges)
Things with high fibre content and vitamin C are very much crucial for controlling the digestive system. The deceased Fibre content and vitamin C in your body cause constipation. You should eat at least 30 gm of fibre content every day. You can eat oranges and also grapes.
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4. Prune Juice
Well, prune juice is another effective for reducing constipation. You should have prune juice at least five times a day. It helps to run the digestion in a good way and make the hard spool soften.
If it is hard to drink prune juice, you can add some water and also a few drops of lemon. It will enhance the taste and make it easy to drink.
5. Ispaghula Husks
Having Isabgol Husks is one of the most common home remedies for controlling constipation. If you want to have this, you have to drink lots of water. It can be 10-12 glasses of water daily. Mucilage inside Ispaghula Husk contains water and makes the stool easy to pass. We don’t recommend this way if you have any heart diseases and blood pressure.
6. Flaxseed
Flaxseed is a home remedy but so much more effective than many other ways to reduce constipation. Well, Flaxseed is a good soaker and it absorbs enough water. It has dietary fibre and omega-3S that make things easy for you. You have to drink lots of water this time as well, around 10-12 glasses.
7. Massage
You can also get some benefits by massaging your belly. Constipation is a common problem in the early pregnancy period and it gets more and more serious day by day. So if you don’t take action right now, you may suffer in the long run.
You should massage your belly gently in a clockwise motion. This way is not recommended for people who have a lower placenta and also the chance of premature labour.
8. Reflexology
Relaxology is a popular way of making the digestive system easy and relaxing. This is a 100% safe and natural procedure. This is a method where you have to press the upper area of your feet gently.
In this task, you can seek help from your family members. They can help you gently press the upper sole gently. If you live alone, you can use reflexology zones to get reflexology. You may also ask your helper to message on your feet clockwise.
If you have nothing helpful in your home, you can do this just using a bottle. Keep a bottle under your feet and roll the bottle under your feet. This will definitely be relaxing.
9. Acupressure
Acupressure is one of the most ancient arts of healing. This is a proven way of treating constipation. This is believed that you experience constipation due to the blockage of energy and acupressure is an effective way of releasing these blocks. But first, you have to find out the right pressure point. You have to pressurize in the centre of the abdomen.
Also See: How To Reduce Swelling In Feet During Pregnancy
You should start pressing gently and increase the pressure gradually. You have to do a set of 30 presses per day. You can do this at the early stage of your pregnancy. But, at the latter stages, you shouldn’t do this at all.
10. Laxatives
Laxatives can be a good way of getting rid of constipation in pregnancy. Laxatives can reduce bowel contractions and also make the stool easy to pass. To relieve chronic constipation, you should use laxatives very carefully.
Otherwise, it will backfire. So, don’t forget to consult a doctor or physician who can suggest you get the laxatives in the right way.
Is it right to take stool softeners to handle constipation in pregnancy?
Yes, it is safe. Taking stool softeners is safe in pregnancy. There are several stool softeners that you can take after consulting your doctor. Colace is such a way to make your stool easier to pass.
The ingredients don’t harm you and your baby at all. You can also take laxatives to get rid of constipation. If you consume iron supplements, you should tell your practitioner. Iron is very much important for your health in pregnancy. But if you take too much iron, it causes constipation.
So, let your doctor know every small thing about your health issues now.
Final thoughts
Constipation during pregnancy is such an uncomfortable and painful experience that every woman feels. It becomes more serious as time passes. So, never neglect this issue. Start following the home remedies that we have suggested.
If these are not useful, you should visit your doctor and ask for some stool softeners. If all the home remedies and healing techniques are failed, only your doctor can help you in this case. So, don’t worry and follow all the remedies.
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