Speak to your GP if you are regularly constipated and it lasts a long time, if it’s not improving, or if you have blood in your poo (NHS Choices, 2016). However, using stimulant laxatives may cause more abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea (Jewell and Young, 2001 Rungsiprakarn et al, 2015 NICE, 2017). Laxatives that stimulate the bowel, like senna, might be more effective in relieving constipation than bulk forming laxatives, like bran. But useful as you may find them, you should only use them for a short amount of time (NHS Choices, 2016). Laxatives help you poo more regularly and usually take effect within a few days. Talk to your pharmacist about which ones are suitable for you during pregnancy (NHS Choices, 2016). If changes to your lifestyle don’t help with constipation, laxatives may be an option (NHS Choices, 2016). What other treatments are there for constipation? Read our article on five ways to help prevent constipation in pregnancy. Make sure you are eating a healthy and varied diet, drinking enough water and keeping physically active (NHS Choices, 2015a). As your baby grows and your uterus stretches, it can also press on your intestines and cause digestive delays or obstructions (NHS Choices, 2015a). Constipation during pregnancy might also be caused by reduced physical activity and changes in dietary habits (NHS Choices, 2015a). The hormonal changes in pregnancy, which encourage parts of your body to relax and make room for the baby, also make constipation more likely. (NHS Choices, 2016) What causes constipation? Going for a poo less than three times a week.Poo that is harder to push out and larger than is normal for you.You may experience discomfort, excessive straining and feel like you have not completely emptied your bowels (Moriarty, 1992 Bradley, 2007). What is constipation?Ĭonstipation is when you go for a poo less often than usual and have difficulty having a poo. Read on to find out more about constipation, what causes it and other conditions that might follow constipation. Making sure you eat a healthy and balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and keeping active will help prevent constipation (NICE, 2017). It can be uncomfortable and can lead to other conditions, so it’s a good idea to do what you can to try to prevent it. ![]() ![]() About 40% of pregnant women experience constipation in pregnancy ( Cullen and O’Donoghue, 2007).
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