Having problems going to the loo? Yes, add constipation to the list of common health complaints you may get during pregnancy. You’ll be relieved (in all senses we hope) to learn how you can help avoid or treat what can be a frustrating and painful problem in pregnancy.
WHAT IS CONSTIPATION?
Put simply, constipation is difficulty having a poo. When you’re constipated your bowel movements become less frequent than normal and your poo may be hard and difficult to pass.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CONSTIPATION?
If you’ve been for a poo less than 3 times in a week and when you do go it’s difficult to push out because it’s hard, dry, lumpy or larger than normal, then it’s likely that you’re constipated. Constipation can also be accompanied by stomach ache, feeling bunged up and bloated, or even feeling sick.
WHY DOES CONSTIPATION HAPPEN DURING PREGNANCY?
A combination of things is thought to cause constipation in pregnancy including, surprise surprise, the effect of changing hormone levels on your gut. Increased hormone levels, particularly progesterone, relax the muscles of the digestive tract, which slows the movement of food and waste through your body. Later in pregnancy your growing baby can put pressure on your intestines to obstruct and slow bowel movements. Other things that can contribute include reduced physical activity, changes in diet and reduced fluid intake, and too much iron (most commonly from supplements).
HOW CAN I AVOID CONSTIPATION IN PREGNANCY?
Things you can do to help avoid getting constipated include:
Eating a healthy, balanced diet at regular mealtimes. Eat plenty of fibre-rich foods, including wholegrains, fruit (those high in sorbitol such as apples, apricots, grapes, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries and strawberries), vegetables and pulses. And of course… prune juice.
Drink plenty of water.
Exercise regularly to improve muscle tone and help get things moving.
Don’t rush going to the loo to give yourself time to empty your bowel completely and try to go to the loo as soon as you feel the urge to poo.
Avoid iron supplements. If you take them, ask your doctor whether they are necessary or whether you could take an alternative.
HOW IS CONSTIPATION IN PREGNANCY TREATED?
If the lifestyle changes above don’t offer any relief (they can take a few days or even weeks to take effect) talk to your doctor, midwife or pharmacist about medication (laxatives) that can be used safely to treat constipation in pregnancy.
Although there is little scientific evidence to confirm that laxatives are safe for pregnant women, several laxatives have been used to treat constipation for many years without any evidence of harm caused to a developing baby. That said, use of laxatives should be short term to avoid effects such as dehydration and imbalance of mineral and salt levels.
You may be offered a bulk-forming laxative first, such as ispaghula. This type of laxative is commonly used in pregnancy and helps increase the bulk of your poo, which aids its movement through the digestive tract.
Commonly used alternative treatments for constipation in pregnancy include lactulose and macrogols which work as osmotic laxatives, drawing water into the gut, making the poo softer and easier to pass.
If these options have no or an inadequate effect, you may be prescribed a glycerol suppository, which helps to lubricate the bowel and stimulates the muscles to move things along.
IS CONSTIPATION EVER SERIOUS?
Constipation in pregnancy is more of a bothersome complaint than one that will do harm to you or your baby. That said, it can be a pretty miserable experience and can effect your quality of life.
Excessive straining caused by difficulty passing a hard poo can cause haemorrhoids (piles). These are swollen or enlarged blood vessels inside or around your rectum and anus, which can be itchy, sore and bleed, making it painful to poo. Ointments are available to help with the discomfort, so talk to your doctor, midwife or pharmacist about what is safe to use. Haemorrhoids that appear during pregnancy will often resolve after you’ve had your baby.
Original post from Emma's Diary and approved by the Emma's Diary Healthcare Team