Reasons Behind Constipation

One of the common reasons why you might feel constipated is because while you are pregnant, your body retains lot of water. Even the water from your intestines is absorbed by your body.

Consequently, there insufficient water to soften the stool, resulting in constipation.

The second reason behind feeling constipated is loss of appetite, especially in the first few months of your pregnancy due to nausea and morning sickness.

Remember, during the first trimester, you may not have an appetite, and not eat at regular intervals. So, there will be a lot of gas formation in your stomach, which blocks the stool from getting flushed out of your body. The result? Constipation.

Apart from that, a loss of appetite can also lead to indigestion.

Do Iron Supplements Play a Role?

Iron supplements play an important role in causing constipation. But it depends what kind of supplements you are taking.

The first type is a mild one, which does not cause constipation but is not properly absorbed by your body. The second is the strong one which causes constipation but has a higher absorption factor.

Apart from that, if you don't need iron supplements but you are still having it, you have the strongest possibility of having constipation. Also other medicines prescribed during pregnancy could lead to constipation problems.

If have constipation after taking iron supplements, you must inform your doctor.

What If I Ignore?

Ignoring constipation can lead to a condition called fissure when the skin around your anus tears and gets infected. This can cause pain even when you sit.

Ignoring constipation can also lead to piles. This happens when the varicose veins in your rectum are enlarged as a result of which you can have blood spotting while passing stool. This again is very painful.

Both these conditions can be treated only through medication.

Remember, avoid too much medication as it could lead to loose motion. Too much motion can be fatal for your unborn child.

Also Read: Why you Miscarried?

What Do I Do?

Some communities like the Punjabis include lot of sund or dry ginger powder in their diet. This helps in relieving constipation. You can also opt for flaxseeds or lin seeds (san) in your diet to relieve constipation.

Apart from that, eat a lot of dates or khajoor along with other dry fruits to keep your motions steady.

Fruits help in having smooth motions. Having papayas in small quantities and lot of bananas will also help you.

Prevention Is Better than Cure…

If you want to prevent constipation, you need to be properly hydrated. You need to drink lot of liquids apart from water. Drink vegetable juices or soups, fresh fruit juices and buttermilk.

However, avoid fruits like apple or pomegranate if you are having constipation problems as these fruits aggravate the condition.

Eat at regular intervals and follow regular bowel movements. If you are used to having a bowel movement in the morning follow it regularly.

(With inputs from Dr. Satish Tibrewala, Gynaecologist from Bombay Hospital)