How to Cope With Constipation During Pregnancy

Constipation is a common and often uncomfortable part of pregnancy, affecting many expectant parents. Hormonal changes—especially rising progesterone—slow digestion by relaxing the intestinal muscles. The growing uterus can also put pressure on the digestive tract, making things more sluggish. On top of that, iron supplements often prescribed during pregnancy may contribute to constipation.

Here are a few simple pregnancy constipation home remedies to help find relief:

• Eat more fiber. Include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water or prune juice to help soften stools.

• Keep moving. Gentle activities like walking or prenatal yoga can support digestion.

• Talk to your provider. Always consult before using stool softeners or laxatives.

Constipation can start early in pregnancy and continue throughout, but understanding the causes and knowing how to manage it can bring welcome relief. In this article, we’ll explore practical tips for constipation in pregnancy and provide strategies for immediate constipation relief during this time, helping you stay comfortable and regular.

What Is Constipation During Pregnancy?

Constipation during pregnancy refers to infrequent, difficult, or painful bowel movements. It is characterized by having fewer than three bowel movements per week, passing hard or lumpy stools, and experiencing straining or discomfort during defecation. These symptoms can be common during pregnancy due to hormonal fluctuations and the physical changes occurring during this period.

When Does Constipation Start in Pregnancy?

Constipation can begin at any stage of pregnancy but is particularly common during the first trimester and third trimester. In early pregnancy, elevated progesterone levels can slow down the digestive system, leading to constipation. Later in pregnancy, the growing uterus may exert pressure on the intestines, further contributing to digestive slowdowns.

How Common Is Constipation During Pregnancy?

Constipation in pregnancy is a common issue, with studies indicating that around 16% and 39% of pregnant people experience this condition. Read on to discover what factors can contribute to constipation during pregnancy, including hormonal changes, dietary habits, and physical activity levels.

What Causes Constipation in Pregnancy?

Constipation can occur at any time, but you might be more prone to it during later pregnancy stages, like the third trimester. So, why does constipation happen during pregnancy?

• Hormonal changes. During pregnancy, you generally have higher levels of the hormone progesterone, which can slow down digestion.

• Iron supplements. If you’re taking iron supplements or there’s iron in your prenatal vitamins, this may lead to constipation. It’s important to note that your body needs more iron during pregnancy to supply more blood and oxygen to your baby and prevent iron deficiency anemia.

• Physical changes. As your body changes during pregnancy, the weight of your uterus puts pressure on your rectum, which can worsen constipation if you already have it.

• Lifestyle. If you’re not drinking enough water, eating enough fiber, or incorporating some exercise into your daily routine, this might slow down your digestive system and lead to constipation. In our section below, How to Prevent and Treat Constipation During Pregnancy [Link to H2], we’ll give you some helpful lifestyle tips, including pregnancy home remedies, to help get things moving.

Signs of Constipation During Pregnancy

Recognizing the signs of constipation during pregnancy, from pain when passing a stool to infrequent bowel movements, can help in managing this condition effectively.Key indicators include:

• Infrequent bowel movements. Experiencing fewer than three bowel movements per week.

• Hard or lumpy stools. Stools that are dry, hard, or lumpy, making them difficult or painful to pass.

• Straining during bowel movements. Needing to strain or experiencing pain when passing stools.

• Abdominal discomfort. Feeling bloated, gassy, or experiencing stomach cramps.

• Incomplete evacuation. Sensing that not all stool has passed after a bowel movement.

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience blood in your bowel movement or black stools while pregnant.

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Is Constipation a Sign of Pregnancy?

Constipation might be an early pregnancy symptom for some people. It's often due to hormonal changes, especially increased progesterone levels. These changes can result in constipation. However, constipation isn't a definitive sign of pregnancy, as it can also stem from diet, stress, or illness.

Other early signs of pregnancy that may accompany constipation include missed periods, morning sickness, fatigue, tender or swollen breasts, or frequent urination.

If you’re constipated and think you may be pregnant, it’s best to take a pregnancy test to confirm.

How to Prevent and Treat Constipation During Pregnancy

Having infrequent bowel movements or stools that are difficult to pass can be quite uncomfortable even at the best of times, but these symptoms of constipation can be even more unpleasant when you’re pregnant and dealing with a host of other aches and pains.

You may wish there were miracle home remedies, or a medical formula, for immediate constipation relief during pregnancy, but unfortunately, there isn’t. Instead, focus on changes you can make to your diet and levels of activity, which may get things moving in time.

Here are some measures you can take to help prevent or relieve constipation during pregnancy:

• Drink lots of fluids, such as water, prune juice, and other 100 percent fruit juices.

• Consume high-fiber foods, aiming for at least 25 grams per day. Include vegetables, fruits, beans, whole-grain products, and bran cereal in your diet. Increasing your fiber intake suddenly can cause a side effect of excess gas, so take care to eat your meals slowly and avoid swallowing too much air. Also, avoid carbonated drinks and chewing gum to help prevent a build-up of gas.

• Exercise regularly. Check with your healthcare provider to find out what you can safely do. Even simply walking more can help encourage your digestive system to get going.

• Try eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of three large ones. This can help make digestion easier.

Medication for Constipation

If you’re finding that the lifestyle changes listed above don’t work for you, turn to your healthcare provider. Your provider may recommend one of these over-the-counter medications for you during pregnancy, such as a stool softener, which can help you pass hard stools. But it’s important to remember that these are not a cure for constipation:

• A bulk-forming agent, which works by absorbing water and adding moisture to your stool to make it easier to pass. Make sure to drink extra fluids if you’re taking this medication.

• A stool softener, which adds liquid to your stool to soften it

• A stimulant, which uses a chemical to stimulate intestinal activity.

Don’t use any of the above medications without consulting your healthcare provider first.

Potential Complications of Constipation

If you've been dealing with constipation for several weeks or more, it might be chronic. Chronic constipation can lead to the following complications:

• Hemorrhoids. Swollen veins located in your anus, causing discomfort and sometimes bleeding.

• Anal fissures. Small tears in the skin around your anus that can lead to pain and bleeding.

• Fecal impaction during pregnancy happens when stool becomes hard and accumulates in your intestines.

• Rectal prolapse, which is when your rectum protrudes from the anus.

To help avoid complications, it’s safest to get in touch with your healthcare provider at the first signs of constipation or pain.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

If you’re experiencing constipation during pregnancy and wondering when to worry, contact your healthcare provider if you notice the following:

• You’ve been constipated for more than 3 weeks

• Bleeding when you pass stools or blood in your stools

• Black stools

• Difficulty performing your normal daily activities

• Severe stomach pain

• Unexplained weight loss.

The Bottom Line

Constipation can be a pain in the bottom (literally! ), but try not to let it ruin your last few months of pregnancy! Talk to your healthcare provider, and consider some pregnancy home remedies along with the lifestyle changes we’ve listed in this article. In time, things will get moving down there, and you can get back to more enjoyable tasks such as shopping for baby gear, decorating your baby’s nursery, or even just putting your feet up for a bit.

One thing to keep in mind is that, at the other end of the spectrum, you may experience diarrhea from time to time during your pregnancy. You should always mention this to your healthcare provider, especially if you suspect it may be caused by something like food poisoning or a tummy bug.

Whether you’re in early pregnancy or your little one is about to arrive, download the Pampers Rewards app for exclusive baby education and rewards on your future diaper purchases.