How to cause a bowel movement with constipation in pregnant women. With atonic constipation in pregnant women. The main symptoms of constipation during pregnancy

26.07.2019

Constipation during pregnancy causes discomfort to the expectant mother. Untimely treatment of the disease can lead to the development of various complications.

Medical indications

Everyone has a different frequency of bowel movements. Normally, once every 2 days. Constipation during pregnancy in the first and last trimesters manifests itself in the form of rare bowel movements, small amounts of feces, dry and hard feces. If constipation is accompanied by nausea, burning, vomiting, bloating, bitterness in the mouth, then urgent medical attention will be required. These symptoms should be alarming. Before getting rid of difficult bowel movements during pregnancy, it is recommended to find out the reason for its development:

progesterone is higher than normal;
constipation in early pregnancy develops against the background of calcium and iron deficiency;
motionless lifestyle;
diseases of the anal area (hemorrhoids);
stress.

In the last months of pregnancy, the growth of the uterus is observed. It, by squeezing the intestines, affects the movement of feces. This phenomenon negatively affects the general condition of the expectant mother. Often constipation during pregnancy appears against the background of gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis).

If the expectant mother has severe constipation in the later stages, then she must comply with bed rest. Rarely, a woman in a position is hospitalized. Problems with bowel movements can occur due to poor diet and lack of fluid.

Constipation in pregnant women traps harmful substances formed as a result of the breakdown of food. Then they are absorbed into the bloodstream, having a negative effect on the female body and the fetus. Constipation is dangerous during pregnancy as follows:

feeling of heaviness in the abdomen;
the appearance of pain syndrome;
the development of hemorrhoids;
miscarriage.

With stagnation of decay products in the intestine, the rectum or sigmoid colon, peri-rectal tissue may become inflamed. A fissure in the anus appears due to prolonged bowel movements. The microflora of the baby is formed taking into account the state of the biocenosis of the large intestine of the female body. Toxins that accumulate during constipation, disrupting the microflora of the vagina, lead to an infected fetus. You can cope with intestinal problems with the help of some foods:

dried fruits (prunes);
oat and buckwheat groats.

exclusion from the diet of foods rich in dietary fiber;
refusal of legumes, rice and semolina porridge.

Constipation in pregnant women can develop in case of abuse of cocoa. You need to drink up to 2 liters of water daily. Constipation products will help normalize the situation.

Constipation drugs

How to get rid of constipation during pregnancy? It is recommended that you consult with your doctor before dealing with constipation during pregnancy. The expectant mother must undergo a full examination. To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor takes into account the patient's complaints. The patient donates blood, feces and urine.

From instrumental research methods, doctors distinguish sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. The second technique allows you to quickly assess the state of the intestine. For this, a special device is used - a coloscope. X-rays are contraindicated for pregnant women. Constipation in women in position may appear against the background of impaired motor function of the colon, colitis, megacolon. To exclude these pathologies, differential diagnosis is carried out.

Constipation during pregnancy is a lot of anxiety and suffering. After identifying the cause of the disease and determining the stage of development of the disease, the patient is prescribed safe remedies for constipation during pregnancy. You can not self-medicate. Tablets for the ailment in question are contraindicated for pregnant women. The components that make up them irritate the receptors of the colon, which increases its peristalsis. Some constipation remedies for pregnant women help to increase and decrease the tone of the uterus. Expectant mothers can use glycerin candles. These drugs for constipation during pregnancy have a mild effect on the receptors in the rectum. This does not affect the tone of the uterus.

Complementary treatments

Constipation during pregnancy, what to do at home is recommended to ask your doctor. To prepare a decoction of prunes, you will need to take 100 g each of dried fruits, beets and oatmeal. Mix the ingredients and pour 2 liters of water. The product is boiled over low heat for 60 minutes. The broth is filtered and stored in the refrigerator. It is recommended that you consult with your doctor before using folk remedies for constipation during pregnancy. Do not use herbs that cause allergies.

A remedy made from prunes, dried apricots, raisins and honey has a similar effect. You will need to take 100 g of ingredients and 2 tablespoons of honey. Dried fruits are washed and passed through a meat grinder. Honey is added to the gruel. The resulting product is used before bedtime with warm water.

Before you get rid of constipation with folk remedies, it is recommended to find out which herbs cannot be used (hay, rhubarb). You can not treat the disease with physiotherapeutic methods and laxatives, since their action is aimed at terminating pregnancy.

Constipation during early pregnancy cannot be treated with laxatives, as they cause contractions and diarrhea. They contain various components, including acetylcholine. It activates intestinal motility. Simple laxatives act on the last parts of the intestines. They cause partial bowel movements. These medications can be replaced with foods that contain fiber. It is forbidden to take medications, the action of which is aimed at normalizing the stool.

Preventive actions

It is very difficult to get rid of constipation in the late stages. If you have long-term bowel problems in pregnant women, ask your doctor what to do. You can not give an enema. This procedure is performed before childbirth to stimulate the contraction of the uterus and intestines. To get rid of constipation, expectant mothers should choose drugs and folk remedies, the actions of which are aimed at softening the contents of the intestines and facilitating the movement of feces. The funds used should not contract the uterus.

Constipation after childbirth may bother 1-2 months. When the uterus contracts, the anterior abdominal wall remains stretched. Laxatives are used to normalize muscle tone after a cesarean section or natural birth with ruptures. This technique prevents constipation. Prevention of the process in question during pregnancy consists in proper nutrition. To improve digestion, women in the position include foods rich in fiber and liquid dishes on the menu.

Particular attention is paid to drinking. It is a misconception that drinking a lot of fluids contributes to the appearance of edema. Do not eat salty foods. Otherwise, the body will retain water.

You need to know why constipation is dangerous. To prevent pathology, a woman in a position must lead an active lifestyle. The lack of physical activity slows down digestion. Doctors recommend taking frequent walks. A woman should do special exercises for pregnant women. You can visit the pool and do yoga or aerobics. You must first consult with your doctor.

Problems with natural bowel movement are considered traditional companions of the gestation period. Constipation affects women regardless of age, health status or lifestyle. This condition can not only be eliminated, but also effectively prevented by special preventive measures.

Causes of constipation in pregnant women

The main reason for the difficulty of bowel movement during pregnancy is natural hormonal changes. In its normal state, the body produces special substances that intensively stimulate the contraction of the internal muscles. The innervation of the intestines and the uterus is the same, therefore, when one organ is relaxed, a similar effect occurs in the other. Such a process can provoke a miscarriage. To eliminate the risk, the body is rebuilt, creating a kind of protection. Constipation is a negative consequence.

Other factors contributing to bouts of constipation during early pregnancy are:

progesterone and an increase in its level in the body (the substance affects the internal muscles already in the early stages of gestation);
squeezing the intestines by the uterus (a natural process due to the growth of the fetus);
foods with a high iron content can cause severe and painful constipation during early pregnancy;
stressful situations (expectant mothers become more susceptible to external factors);
autoimmune processes (the body of a pregnant woman needs constant replenishment of vitamins and useful elements);
low physical activity (a sedentary lifestyle for most pregnant women is a natural change);
lack of fluid (a woman should consume at least two liters of water per day);
internal diseases (especially hemorrhoids, anal fissures and other diseases of the anal region).

Why constipation is dangerous in early pregnancy

Difficulties in emptying the intestines negatively affect not only the state of the woman's body, but also the development of the fetus. Constipation during pregnancy should be treated when the primary symptoms appear. There are various ways to eliminate discomfort. The most effective of these are considered a special diet, the use of mild plant-based laxatives and the use of some of the recommendations of alternative medicine.

The negative effects of constipation during early pregnancy include the following factors:

improper microflora in the intestine in the early stages of gestation becomes the cause of congenital abnormalities of the digestive system in a child;
during an attack of constipation, several dozen harmful substances accumulate in the colon, which harm the development of the fetus;
with constipation, a pregnant woman has to push hard, which becomes not only the cause of severe pain attacks, but also leads to stressful conditions;
poisonous decay products of food with irregular bowel movements remain in the woman's body.

What helps with constipation

The range of remedies for eliminating problems with bowel movement is distinguished by a variety of names and forms of release. The key factor in the choice of pharmacy remedies for eliminating constipation is the level of safety for the body of the expectant mother herself and the developing fetus. Experts strongly recommend starting preventive measures as early as possible.

How to deal with constipation during pregnancy:

change in diet (starting from early gestation periods);
compliance with the recommendations of specialists;
the use of folk remedies;
special suppositories for constipation for pregnant women;
the use of drugs.

Healthy foods for constipation

Proper nutrition can radically change the state of human health. Diet plays a special role in pregnancy. Any deviations in a woman's body automatically have a negative effect on the fetus. Certain foods help eliminate constipation during pregnancy. With their help, you can not only fight the difficulties of emptying the intestines, but also normalize the stool or eliminate indigestion.

Foods that can help avoid constipation in the early stages of gestation include:

prunes;
dried apricots;
bran;
raw beets;
buckwheat;
oat groats;
bread.

Is it possible to do an enema during pregnancy

The use of a mechanical method of getting rid of bowel problems is widely used in medical practice. Enema helps to instantly get rid of the problem, but during pregnancy, this method has a number of contraindications. This is due to some features of the woman's body. The procedure can provoke childbirth, therefore, before using this method, you need to contact a specialist for an explanation of the nuances.

Enema during pregnancy is prohibited in the following cases:

identified dangerous signs of the threat of termination of pregnancy;
previously the woman had miscarriages;
low placentation is established;
increased tone of the uterus;
diagnosis of ischemic-cervical insufficiency.

In other cases, the use of an enema is permissible, but it is not recommended to make a decision on its use on your own. If the doctor suspects that there are abnormalities in the condition of a pregnant woman, then he can prohibit such procedures. Experts recommend constipation remedies such as safe glycerin suppositories or the introduction of certain foods into the diet, and an enema is considered an emergency measure.

What is the safest laxative for pregnant women

Taking any medications during the period of gestation, the expectant mother should not forget about their possible negative impact on the fetus. Medicines during any period of pregnancy are selected very carefully. Constipation can only be treated with safe and natural remedies. Some of them receive the maximum number of positive reviews and are especially popular with both doctors and patients.

The following drugs help to effectively eliminate constipation during pregnancy:

Duphalac (the drug is a clear liquid, it is recommended to take it for 2-3 weeks to get rid of an attack of constipation);
Senade (tablets are considered a herbal laxative);
Microlax (a special solution for rectal use, helps to cope with an attack of constipation within about 15-20 minutes, can be used as an emergency aid in case of difficulty in emptying the intestines);
Glycerin suppositories (the drug eliminates the symptoms of constipation, but it is better to use Glycerin suppositories during pregnancy only in case of emergency).

Effective folk remedies for constipation during pregnancy

Alternative medicine offers many recipes designed to correct bowel problems during gestation. When choosing a specific method, you should pay attention to the composition of the recommendation. If among the ingredients there are foods that can cause allergic rashes, then they should be discarded.

Examples of folk remedies:

Potato juice. Fresh tubers must be peeled, minced, grated or chopped with a blender. Using cheesecloth, squeeze fresh juice and mix it with room temperature water in an exact ratio of 1: 1. The tool should be taken a quarter of an hour before meals, a quarter of a glass. Potato juice will not only relieve bouts of constipation, but also have a beneficial effect on the digestive system as a whole.
Buckthorn broth. A few teaspoons of the herbal mixture should be poured with a liter of boiling water and boiled over medium heat for several minutes. After cooling, the broth is ready for use. You need to drink it twice a day for about 100g. Buckthorn has not only the effect of a good laxative, but also strengthens the vitality.
Red rowan juice. To get a drink, you need to take only fresh fruits. The juice should be mixed with sugar and consumed after waking up and before going to bed in a quarter of a glass. For 1 kg of red rowan, 600 g of sugar is taken. The fruits strengthen the immune system, have a stimulating effect on the digestive system.
Castor oil. To eliminate problems with bowel movement, it is recommended to use the remedy in a three-day course of 30 g per day. Castor oil during pregnancy has the effect of a mild laxative, but it must be taken in strict accordance with the recommendations.

Prevention methods

It is necessary to take preventive measures to prevent constipation during early pregnancy already in the early stages of the gestation process. Difficulty emptying the intestines during this period is a common and even characteristic phenomenon. When the first symptoms appear, you can eliminate the discomfort with a special diet or folk remedies, but if you experience severe pain when visiting the toilet, you will have to use medications.

You can prevent the problem in the following ways:

if you drink a glass of water after waking up in the morning, then after a short period of time there will be an urge to naturally empty the intestines, which will eliminate the occurrence of constipation;
dried apricots and prunes during pregnancy are considered the best helpers in preventing the occurrence of difficulties in the process of natural bowel movement;
if you experience discomfort in the intestines, you can eat a small piece of coarse rye bread;
at night it is recommended to drink a glass of milk with the addition of honey;
a woman should lead a relatively active lifestyle;
food should be taken in small portions, but on average 6 times a day;
from the daily diet, it is necessary to exclude foods that can provoke a violation of the digestive process (pickles, smoked meats, spicy foods, fatty foods, coarse fiber).

Bowel problems can occur in most women during pregnancy. The condition manifests itself not only as unpleasant sensations, but can be dangerous for the fetus.

Normally, bowel movements in humans should occur every day. The main symptom of constipation is a decrease in the number of bowel movements up to 2-3 times a week. This condition can also be manifested by dry feces, anal fissures. Half of pregnant women have problems with bowel movements for 16-36 weeks.

Causes of constipation

Bowel problems can provoke many factors and they are divided into groups:

Hormonal. During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in the body. In early pregnancy, the amount of progesterone rises. This substance relaxes the intestinal wall, disrupting peristalsis.
Improper nutrition. Constipation can be caused by a lack of fiber, which ensures normal bowel function. Women also consume little liquid, because of this, the feces become hard, dry. Due to the onset of toxicosis, the expectant mother's appetite decreases.
Mechanical. During pregnancy, a small amount of physical exercise, the growing belly squeezes the intestinal loops, thereby stopping the evacuation of feces.
Psychological. A woman, while waiting for a child, experiences emotional problems: experiences, stresses, which cause problems with stool.

Danger of constipation

People suffer from difficulty defecating due to the pain caused by the condition. During pregnancy, constipation becomes dangerous for the fetus due to a violation of the intestinal microflora. Pathological microorganisms are toxic and present negative consequences for the growing organism. According to experts, this may not happen due to the fact that hazardous substances are quickly neutralized, since the liver and kidneys work more intensively during pregnancy. But it is worth considering the fact that the anus is located near the genitals - there may be a risk of inflammation due to constipation. Complication of bowel movements often leads to the development of diseases that are unpleasant for women: hemorrhoids, proctosigmoiditis, secondary colitis, anal fissure.

The occurrence of problems with defecation can cause miscarriage (in early pregnancy), untimely outpouring of water, premature birth (in later stages) due to the pressure of the bowel loops on the fetus, bloating, attempts made when trying to go to the toilet.

Complication of bowel movements also cause problems after childbirth - the risk of developing purulent-septic complications (bacterial-toxic shock, postpartum sepsis) increases.

Constipation treatment

The treatment of constipation in pregnant women is complicated by many factors. One of them is a ban on the use of certain folk and medicines (senna), usually used by doctors to relieve and eliminate the difficulty of defecation. Nevertheless, it is by no means recommended not to pay any attention to the problem that has arisen due to the unpleasant sensations, as well as the complications described above.

This condition should be treated by a doctor who prescribes an integrated approach, most often at home.

Constipation is a problem that requires finding the true cause of the bowel problem. Treatment includes several methods.

Folk remedies

One of the helping folk methods is to take herbal decoctions of caraway seeds, chamomile, mint, dill seeds: 1-2 cups of boiling water, brew for 25-30 minutes.

You can fight the problem with 1 glass of cold water on an empty stomach. It is useful to make decoctions of prunes due to the strong laxative effect exerted:

Rinse 70 grams of prunes, 70 grams of beets and rolled oats, mix, add two liters of water, cook over low heat for one hour. Take one glass (200 ml) at night.
Rinse 90 grams of prunes, dried apricots, raisins, 20 grams of walnuts under running water, grind with a blender or meat grinder. Add one to two tablespoons of honey to the mixture (to taste). To facilitate bowel movements, take 2-3 tablespoons at night with warm water to ensure early stool.
Pour 125 grams of prunes with half a liter of boiled water, leave to infuse for ten hours. Drink three times a day (before breakfast, lunch, dinner) a glass of infusion.
Take 70 grams of prunes, 150 grams of dried apricots and 2 liters of water. Pour dried fruits into a saucepan and cover with water. After boiling, cook for 10-15 minutes, adding sugar, cinnamon to taste. Let it brew for an hour and a half without opening the lid.

In most cases, pregnant women turn to traditional medicines due to the lack of chemicals. It is important to observe the measure in their use for constipation, after consulting with the attending physician, since folk medicines, in case of abuse, negatively affect the general condition of the woman and the child.

During pregnancy, in order to eliminate constipation, enemas, castor oil, vaseline oil, laxative decoctions from hay (affects the tone of the uterus), fruits of zhoster, rhubarb, buckthorn bark are prohibited.

Correct diet

Lack of fiber is the cause of constipation.

There are many foods that are rich in this substance:

Zucchini.
Cucumber.
Pumpkin.
Beet.
Rose hip.
Black bread.
Dairy products.
Green peas.
Sesame.
Almond.
Apple.
Fig.
Apricot.
Melon.
Strawberry.
Plum.

An excellent remedy for combating constipation is the use of the following foods:

Raw vegetables, fruits.
Black bread with bran.
Dried fruits (prunes).
Buckwheat, oatmeal.
Veined meat.

It is worth eating in small portions, 4-6 times a day (every 3 hours).

It is necessary to exclude the use of fried vegetables, fatty foods from the diet, as well as:

Chocolate.
White bread.
Blueberries.
Coffee.
Semolina and rice porridge.
Mayonnaise.

Physical exercises

Movement is life. Physical activity can also help with constipation. If doctors do not prohibit physical exercise (due to the threat of insufficient bearing of the fetus, miscarriage), then they should be performed.

Swimming activities (up to the seventh month of pregnancy), daily exercises with smooth movements, breathing exercises, and walking in the fresh air are useful for pregnant women. Washing the floors in the last months of pregnancy is helpful. You should not go jogging, difficult physical exercises.

Restoring the nervous system

Psychological problems are one of the causes of constipation during pregnancy. In this case, seeking advice from a psychotherapist, drinking sedative medications (with a mild effect - "Glycine") helps to cope with the problem.

Medicines

Most medicines are contraindicated during pregnancy. In case of problems with the intestines, it is strictly forbidden to use drugs that are toxic to the embryo, as well as drugs that increase the uterine tone, to do enemas.

The tablets should be prescribed only after consultation with the attending physician, who determines the justification for the use of drugs in each case.

When pregnant women are constipated, doctors prescribe carefully selected medications that cause few side effects. Help to get rid of constipation:

Normobact - restores beneficial microflora in the intestine (dysbiosis causes constipation).
Duphalac - the composition includes lactulose (the substance restores the beneficial microflora), the drug softens the feces, increasing the volume, has a mild laxative effect, has a low absorption degree.
Defenorm is a herbal preparation (which reduces the degree of possible toxic effect of the drug) from plantain. Strong preparation for improving intestinal motility.
Bepanten cream - restores dry skin, helps to avoid anal fissures
Microlax - has a mild laxative effect, minimally entering the blood.
Glycerin suppositories - activate the intestines (has a weak irritating effect on the intestinal walls), without affecting the tone of the uterus (Hepatrombin).

Prevention of constipation

Prevention is the best cure, especially for constipation. To prevent problems with defecation in pregnant women, you should follow these rules:

Carefully approach nutrition (the presence of foods rich in fiber, the absence of fatty and gas-producing foods).
Drink enough water, exclude salt from the diet, as it causes edema.
Eat vitamin and mineral complexes necessary during pregnancy.
You should move more.
At the first signs of bowel problems, before stool retention (bloating) - urgently consult your doctor.

Constipation during pregnancy is so common that many expectant mothers consider it an essential part of their "interesting" condition. According to statistics, every second pregnant woman suffers from constipation, but this is not considered the norm. Regular bowel movements are essential for a woman carrying a baby as constipation can be dangerous for pregnancy.

Infrequent (less than 2 to 3 times a week) bowel movements or difficult bowel movements are a familiar problem. But the body of a pregnant woman is more prone to intestinal stagnation than that of an ordinary person. Even if bowel movements are regular, a woman may feel incomplete emptying or too dry stool, which doctors also refer to as functional constipation. This is due to the peculiarities of the physiology and lifestyle of a woman during pregnancy: The rapid rise in the level of progesterone, the hormone responsible for maintaining pregnancy, is one of the reasons for the weakening of intestinal motility. This hormone has a relaxing effect on smooth muscles, including those that set the intestinal walls in motion.

Constipation in early pregnancy often begins due to severe toxicosis: constant nausea reduces appetite, vomiting causes dehydration, and rejection of food leads to the formation of an insufficient volume of feces.
Prescribing to the expectant mother preparations containing iron and calcium leads to constipation due to a change in the nature of the feces - they become denser.
Many pregnant women experience a deficit in physical activity: this can be due to both physical severity (overweight, large belly, pain in the spine, etc.), and problems with gestation, when bed rest and minimal movement are indicated.
Improper diet associated with low fiber intake.
Fluid restriction due to the risk of edema.
Growth of the uterus and increased pressure on the intestines.
In the last stages of pregnancy, the intestines can be strongly compressed by the baby's head inserted into the pelvis, when the baby is already in a comfortable position before childbirth.
Emotional problems in a pregnant woman: fear for the child, stress, etc.

The period when the likelihood of problems with stool is highest is 16 to 36 weeks. However, constipation during early pregnancy and shortly before childbirth occurs quite often, and at this time it is especially dangerous.

The risks associated with intestinal problems in pregnant women cannot be underestimated. The intestine is directly adjacent to the reproductive organs. Considering that their contact becomes even closer during pregnancy, the well-being of the expectant mother and the normal development of the baby depend on the health of the intestines.

Consider the danger of constipation during pregnancy:

Treatment of constipation in early and late pregnancy

Treatment of defecation disorders in pregnant women is a matter that requires a competent approach. On the one hand, in no case should the problem be left to chance, as this is fraught with unpleasant consequences. On the other hand, how to deal with constipation during pregnancy if you cannot take any medication? And folk remedies for expectant mothers should be used with caution.

No laxatives!

Let's start with the methods that are strictly prohibited during gestation:

Enemas. This is a popular remedy for constipation among "ordinary" people; women who are carrying a child are not used. Enema stimulates "explosive" bowel movements, which can cause contractions of the uterus. Enema is permissible only in the prenatal period, when the risk of having a premature baby has passed.
Castor oil, liquid paraffin. Oily laxatives have a mild effect, but their use is not recommended due to their high fat content. In pregnant women, the load on the gastrointestinal tract is already too intense, so a fat "blow" on the liver, pancreas and intestinal mucosa is useless.
, buckthorn bark, rhubarb root, both in the form of pharmaceutical preparations and decoctions, cause severe intestinal spasms. Active peristalsis and pain with constipation during pregnancy are factors contributing to miscarriage.

If we talk about classic laxatives, almost all of them are not recommended for pregnant women:

irritating drugs - Senade, Gutalax, Regulax, Dulcolax and others;
laxative filling properties - methylcellulose, preparations based on seaweed, bran, as they activate intestinal motility;
osmotic agents based on a salt base - Karlovy Vary salt, magnesia, sodium sulfate, since they disrupt the water-mineral balance of the body of a pregnant woman.

The exception to the last group of prohibited drugs is Fortrans powder and similar laxatives based on polyethylene glycol.

Permitted drugs for constipation in pregnant women

What can a woman take to get rid of constipation during pregnancy?

As you know, getting rid of constipation means curing it. Treatment of the problem should be comprehensive and include, first of all, diet, increased motor load, elimination of dysbiosis, therapy of concomitant diseases. However, in the case of pregnant women, this approach is not always advisable.

For example, many expectant mothers do not want to actively move if they have a weak cervix, iron supplements cannot be canceled due to a drop in hemoglobin, etc. Therefore, the treatment of constipation during pregnancy is more symptomatic and is aimed at quickly and gently eliminating constipation. For this purpose, we can recommend:

Folk recipes for constipation for pregnant women

Good help to the expectant mother can be provided by “grandmother's recipes” that are safe during pregnancy. For example, a mixture of dried fruits with honey: chopped berries of prunes, raisins and dried apricots (100 grams of each ingredient), mix with 2 large spoons of honey and take 2 teaspoons at night with several sips of heated water.

Another harmless folk remedy is a laxative decoction of prunes and beets: pour 300 gr. mixture of prunes, beets and oatmeal (ingredients in equal proportions) with 2 liters of water, bring to a boil and leave for an hour over low heat. Take 1 glass of strained and cooled broth before bedtime, store the rest in the refrigerator.

If constipation during pregnancy is spastic in nature, soothing herbs or sedatives prescribed by a doctor can be taken to alleviate the condition. If defecation is delayed due to bowel clamping, a pregnant woman can do exercises to reduce the pressure of the uterus on the rectum, if there are no contraindications for this.

Prevention of constipation in expectant mothers

The best advice on how to deal with constipation during pregnancy is to prevent them from appearing. Having barely learned about her pleasant situation, a woman must reorganize her diet in accordance with the needs of the pregnant body in order to calmly bear and give birth to a child and take care of her health.

To prevent constipation, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

It is not worth explaining that the course of pregnancy and the health of the future child largely depends on the behavior and lifestyle of the mother. If a pregnant woman is unable to cope with the "toilet" problems using the listed means, at the next visit to the obstetrician-gynecologist, you must inform him about your troubles. After finding out the cause of the disease and assessing the possible risks for gestation, the doctor may prescribe more serious methods.

Hello! First of all, you need to consult with an obstetrician-gynecologist who observes your spouse during pregnancy. The causes of lower abdominal pain can be very different. It is important to understand what is causing these pains. Whether constipation is the cause. Although constipation during pregnancy is quite common. Constipation is understood as a shortened, difficult or systematically incomplete emptying of the intestines. Constipation is considered to be a bowel movement less than 3 times a week. The characteristic symptoms of this condition are rare, hard and scanty stools. The consistency of the stool is determined by the amount of water in it. In solid feces, its amount does not exceed 40%, in normal - 70%, and in liquid - 95%. An objective criterion for constipation is a decrease in stool weight to 35 g per day or less. Difficulty defecation, a feeling of incomplete bowel movement and abdominal discomfort can complement the clinical picture. The reason for stool delays in the first trimester of pregnancy (up to 12 weeks) is the increased production of the so-called main hormone of pregnancy, which has a relaxing effect not only on the muscles of the uterus, but also on other smooth muscle organs: urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, and, accordingly, lowering intestinal motor activity. In late pregnancy, stool retention can result from compression of the colon by an enlarged uterus. Constipation is one of the most common gastroenterological problems in pregnant women today. Its frequency, according to different authors, ranges from 17 to 50%. Most often, constipation occurs between 17 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. The reasons for the development of constipation during pregnancy are: 1. An increase in the level of progesterone and its metabolites, which activate the inhibitory gastrointestinal hormone, inhibit (suppress) substances that stimulate peristalsis. 2. Decrease in the level of motilin in the period from 16 to 36 weeks of pregnancy (returns to normal one week after childbirth). Motilin is a hormone produced by cells of the mucous membrane, mainly duodenal and jejunum, which stimulates gastrointestinal motility. 3. Other possible mechanisms of constipation during pregnancy are embedded in the unity of the blood supply system and neurohumoral regulation of the uterus and colon. However, it is difficult to single out any single cause that leads to constipation during pregnancy. As a rule, a combination of various factors is at work here. The causes of constipation in pregnant women can also be a change in the quality of food, the use of various drugs (progesterone, tocolytics - drugs that relieve increased uterine tone). Sometimes a woman is forced to lie down for a long time, and at least minimal physical activity is needed for normal intestinal motor function. The main principles of prevention and treatment are: dietary recommendations; recommendations for changing the motor regime; the appointment of laxatives. Treatment of constipation, especially constipation during pregnancy, begins with non-drug measures. These include, first of all, diet. The introduction of foods with a high content of ballast substances into the diet is shown. In terms of nutritional properties, wheat bran is the most acceptable for consumption. Rye bread is valuable for the prevention of constipation during pregnancy, better than yesterday's, a little stale. You need to eat more vegetables and fruits, since they contain a lot of fiber, It is not absorbed by our body, but forms feces, which will be easier and faster for the colon to move. Constipation also helps to reduce prunes, dried apricots, kefir, and other fermented milk products. The regime of physical activity, the types of which are determined by the doctor, are being reviewed. And only if all of the above measures are not enough, laxatives are used, shown for constipation during pregnancy. There is a group of expectant mothers who enter pregnancy already having constipation. This seems to be the case for your wife as well. Women who suffer from constipation outside of pregnancy and abuse certain drugs in connection with this, form a lifestyle for themselves with the problem of constipation. During pregnancy, it is necessary to correct this style by changing or adding drugs that will not affect the course of pregnancy. The choice of a suitable laxative drug in no case can be made by the patient herself - self-medication with laxatives during pregnancy is especially undesirable. It is necessary to take into account various side effects, for example, the teratogenic (causing deformities of development) effect of senna drugs (senade,) is known. By the way, Phytolax, which your spouse uses, is not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The composition of phytolax, along with other components, also includes a leaf of hay. The action of some laxatives is based on stimulating smooth muscle contraction (for example), which is not shown at all during pregnancy, as it increases the threat of termination of pregnancy. There are drugs that require a large amount of fluid intake, which is also undesirable, as the load on the kidneys increases. Thus, it becomes obvious that the range of laxatives that can be used during pregnancy is significantly narrowed, since they must be safe for the fetus, for the woman and for the normal course of pregnancy. Currently, one of the most widely used laxatives is the isoosmotic laxative drug. The drug is not absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, does not undergo metabolism and is not destroyed by intestinal bacteria. The lack of absorption guarantees the complete absence of toxic effects. The drug has the ability to retain water, which liquefies the feces and facilitates their evacuation, having an indirect effect on peristalsis, while not causing an irritating effect. The effect of the drug develops within 24-48 hours after administration. It has now been proven that Tranzipeg does not penetrate the feto-placental barrier, it has no teratogenic and toxic effects. The drug has no negative effect on the tone of the myometrium. Tranzipeg is the only laxative drug that maintains the body's electrolyte balance. It contains a special electrolyte mixture: (146 mg), sodium sulfate (568 mg), sodium bicarbonate (168 mg), potassium chloride (75 mg). As a result of studies by domestic and foreign scientists, it was found that the drug Tranzipeg is highly effective in treating constipation: it is the only laxative drug that can prevent the loss of electrolytes even with prolonged therapy; easy to use (single daily intake, only 100 ml of water); its complete safety during pregnancy has been clinically proven. It is possible to use the drug Defenorm during pregnancy and lactation. This is a herbal preparation. It mechanically irritates intestinal receptors with swollen (after contact with liquid) hydrophilic mucus-containing fibers. The drug regulates the activity of the intestines, preventing the thickening of intestinal contents and facilitating its passage. Defenorm normalizes bowel function, while not being a classic laxative (effective not only for constipation, but also for functional diarrhea), does not have an irritating effect. The laxative effect occurs within 6-10 hours after taking the drug. Reception of Defenorm helps to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood as a result of increased binding by the components of the preparation of bile salts in the intestine. Not absorbed or addictive. During the period of treatment with Defenorm, a sufficient amount of liquid should be consumed. Contraindications to the use of the drug: hypersensitivity to plantain or other components of the drug, intestinal obstruction or the threat of its development, organic narrowing of the digestive tract, imbalance in water and electrolyte balance, severe diabetes mellitus, children under 12 years of age (due to limited experience of use ). But, before taking any action, be sure to consult with your spouse's doctor. This is simply necessary. All the best!

Constipation is a difficult or systematic incomplete emptying of the intestines (defecation) or the absence thereof for a day and a half or more. During pregnancy?

Causes constipation during pregnancy different women and at different times are different. Among them, the most significant are the following:

A change in the hormonal background, which reduces the tone of the muscles of the uterus, and at the same time all other muscle cells similar to them (in the walls of the intestine and in the walls of large vessels).
Change in the position of the intestine in the abdominal cavity, its gradual displacement by the enlarging uterus at a later date.
Fear of straining. It is rather a psychological problem that is more common in women with increased uterine tone and the threat of termination of pregnancy.
Poorly selected diet.
Sedentary lifestyle.
Psychological stress.
Congenital features of the intestine, for example, its elongated sections.

According to the direct mechanism of development, two types can be distinguished constipation during pregnancy.

Atonic constipation(literally translated as "lack of tone") the variant is associated with a reduced tone of the muscular wall of the intestine. Peristalsis (bowel movements, thanks to which its contents move) from this becomes lethargic and unproductive. This muscle weakness, in turn, occurs due to hormonal changes, after surgery, and dietary errors. Another form is spastic constipation during pregnancy , in which the intestinal tone, on the contrary, is increased, peristalsis slows down, but due to the "clamped" state of the intestine. For this type constipation during pregnancy psychological reasons are more characteristic.

Constipation during pregnancy associated with lengthening of the large intestine, it is necessary to highlight separately. First, their occurrence is not related to your position, although it can intensify them. Secondly, although outwardly they appear as a spastic form, they are associated not with spasm, but with a longer passage of feces along a longer path. At the same time, more water is absorbed back into the body from the intestinal contents, the feces become solid.

Atonic constipation during pregnancy may be accompanied by a feeling of intestinal fullness, aching and pulling abdominal pain, flatulence (increased gas formation) and bloating, lack of appetite, nausea, lethargy, apathy, depressed mood. When defecating, there is a lot of feces; their initial portion is formed, dense, its diameter is larger than normal, the final portion is watery, mushy. Defecation is painful, there may be tears of the mucous membrane of the rectum and anus, then streaks of blood and (or) mucus remain on the surface of the feces.

With a spastic form, the pain is different: they are paroxysmal, even sometimes cramping, occur more often in the left abdomen along the colon and are given to the left groin area. This form constipation during pregnancy may accompany flatulence, lack of appetite, inadequate and unexplained fatigue, nervousness, irritability, nausea. When emptying the intestines, the feces are very dense, they are separate small rounded fragments in the form of the so-called "sheep feces". The urge to defecate may even occur several times a day, but the emptying of the intestines is incomplete, difficult, in small portions.

How to get rid of constipation during pregnancy

To relieve constipation it is necessary first of all to choose the right diet, taking into account weight control and possible allergic reactions, which are individual.

At constipation during pregnancy useful are millet, buckwheat, barley, oat bran, muesli, black bread, vegetable oils, fresh and cooked vegetables and fruits (carrots, beets, pumpkin, radishes, turnips, zucchini, cucumbers, young asparagus shoots, Jerusalem artichoke, lettuce, broccoli and other cabbage). Small laxative properties are possessed by: olives, dried fruit compotes, raw, boiled or soaked prunes, honey, watermelon, melon, apples, apricots, grapes, red currant or its juice, cherries. It should be noted that honey, fresh carrots and their juice, melon, apricots, red apples, red currants have an increased allergenic potential, so they can be consumed no more than 1-2 times a week. For women with allergies, these foods should be eliminated from the diet. From boiled or fresh vegetables, salads with vegetable oil can be prepared as side dishes. Fermented milk products must be included in the daily diet of a pregnant woman.

With a tendency to constipation strong tea, slimy soups, semolina, white bread, wheat bran, polished rice, blueberries, quince, pears, pomegranate, hawthorn, bananas, black currants, legumes, walnuts should not be consumed. Hard types of cheese can also slow down peristalsis.

In combination with a diet, physical exercise will help solve the problem of constipation; it is enough to devote 20-30 minutes of exercise every day, and it is better to do it several times during the day. Consult your doctor about the choice of exercises, because some of them may be contraindicated for you personally, taking into account the characteristics of your health.

With prolonged and active use of almost any laxative (both medicinal and herbal), addiction can develop, requiring an increase in the dose of the laxative. The effect of the drug is weakened, and the problem itself constipation during pregnancy aggravated.

From ready-made laxatives, expectant mothers should not take: REGULAX, HITOSAN-EVALAR, DOCTOR THAISS - SWEDISH BITTER . In rare cases, under strict medical supervision, GUTTALAX or DULKOLAX (aka BISACODIL ). Taking laxatives FORLAX and FORTRANS is not contraindicated. , you can use glycerin candles.

Preparations SENNALAX, GLAKSENNA, TRISASEN , made on the basis of senna (aka cassia acutifoliate, or alexandrian leaf), increase the tone of the muscular wall of the intestine. It must be used with caution, under medical supervision. Senna preparations should not be drunk for a long time: it is addictive, which requires an increase in the dose. In addition, senna can cause an allergic reaction and melanin deposition in the cells of the intestinal mucosa. Senna should not be taken with spastic forms of constipation, in which the bowel tone is already increased.

For to get rid of constipation herbal medicine offers such recipes.

With spastic constipation in pregnant women:

Freshly prepared potato juice, diluted with water 1: 1, take a quarter of a glass half an hour before meals 2-3 times a day.
Prepare a decoction of figs in milk or water at the rate of 2 tablespoons of raw materials per 1 glass of boiling water, let cool at room temperature, take 1 tablespoon 2-4 times a day.
Dissolve 15 g of honey in a glass of warm milk, drink a third of the glass at night.
Mix in equal parts the fruits of anise, herb of stinging nettle, rhizome of Valerian officinalis, rose hips, leaves of wild strawberries, chamomile flowers, motherwort herb five-lobed. Brew 1 tablespoon of the collection with a glass of boiling water in a thermos and leave for 1.5 hours, drain. Take half a glass after meals in the morning and evening.

With atonic constipation in pregnant women:

Mix equal parts the fruits of anise, caraway and fennel. Brew 2 teaspoons of the mixture with 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 15-20 minutes, strain, drink a third of a glass 3 times a day half an hour before meals. Note that the seeds must be ripe for this harvest.
Take in equal shares the fruits of mountain ash, blueberry leaves, stinging nettle herb and fennel fruits. Brew 1 tablespoon of the collection with a glass of boiling water, insist in a thermos for 1.5 hours, strain, take a third of the glass 3 times a day after meals.
Pour 1 tablespoon of gooseberries with 1 glass of water and boil for 10 minutes, then strain. Take a quarter glass 4 times a day. Add sugar if desired.
When brewing tea, add slices of dried apples or cherries.
In the atonic form of constipation, the work of the intestines is stimulated by a glass of cool water, drunk in the morning on an empty stomach.
Cut 3-4 unpeeled fresh apples into medium-sized pieces, boil under a lid for 15 minutes in 1 liter of water, and insist, wrapping it for 4 hours. Drink instead of tea 2-3 times a day.
Pour 1 teaspoon of flaxseed with 1 glass of boiling water and leave for 4 hours. Without straining, drink the entire dose before bedtime.
Drink freshly prepared carrot juice in a quarter of a glass on an empty stomach in the morning.
Mix in equal parts freshly prepared milk whey and carrot juice, take half a glass in the morning on an empty stomach. To prepare whey, you need to boil sour milk or fresh milk with a small piece of brown bread, then strain it through cheesecloth; cheese will remain in the gauze, and the liquid part is whey.
Pour 1 tablespoon of wheat bran with half a glass of hot milk, insist in a warm place or thermos for 30-40 minutes, strain, squeeze the steamed bran. Drink half a glass in the morning on an empty stomach.
Prepare juice from 1 kg of ripe red rowan fruits (collect them until frost), mix the juice with 600 g of granulated sugar. Take a quarter cup on an empty stomach in the morning and at night. Keep the juice in the refrigerator.

From the recipes given, choose a few of the most suitable juices and decoctions for yourself and take them, alternating every 2-3 weeks.

Defecation disorder is a problem that affects about 75% of pregnant women in the early and especially late stages. Constipation during pregnancy can occur both sporadically and persist throughout the entire period of pregnancy. Moreover, the severity of difficulties in emptying the intestines can be different: from irregular bowel movements to the need to take laxatives.

Causes of Irregular Stool in Pregnant Women

During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes tremendous changes: all life support systems are tuned to bear the fetus. Such a global restructuring, together with some external factors, provokes the appearance of constipation in pregnant women, namely:

A sharp increase in progesterone - an excessive amount of the hormone adversely affects the work of the intestines, weakening the muscle tone of its walls and thereby increasing the risk of retaining feces inside it.
Decreased innervation (sensitivity) is the most common cause of constipation during pregnancy. The uterus and intestines are connected to the central nervous system by the common nerve (pelvic) plexus. From the moment of conception, the sensitivity of uterine receptors (including intestinal ones) to external stimuli is significantly reduced in order to maintain pregnancy. Therefore, the usual stimulators of its activity also cease to act on the intestinal walls, peristalsis decreases and problems arise with the act of defecation.
Enlargement of the uterus - in late pregnancy, the growing organ begins to strongly squeeze the intestines, displaces it, thereby provoking chronic constipation.
Decreased motor activity also becomes a common cause of constipation in pregnant women, since constant sitting leads to stagnation of blood in the lower arteries, poor blood circulation in the intestine and impaired motor function.
Improper nutrition - the taste preferences of most pregnant women change dramatically. Very often, the daily diet contains incompatible food products that disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive system as a whole.
Insufficient use of clean drinking water is often a forced measure aimed at alleviating the condition of a woman with severe toxicosis and edema, but adversely affecting the intestines.
Psychological condition - constant anxiety, irritability and feelings of a pregnant woman can provoke neurogenic constipation.
The use of vitamins and drugs with a high calcium content - in this case, constipation in pregnant women occurs as a side effect against the background of the drugs taken. Normal bowel activity usually recovers quickly after drug withdrawal.
Endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism) - a decrease in the function of the thyroid gland causes disturbances in the general physical condition (lethargy, weakness, apathy), in which the activity of all systems and organs decreases.

Signs of defecation disorders

For medical reasons, defecation, which occurs from three times a day to three times a week, is considered the norm, it all depends on the individual characteristics of the organism. Constipation during pregnancy can be diagnosed by the following:

absence of bowel movements for three or more days;
strong straining: more often than every second bowel movement;
solid feces in the form of dense lumps;
rumbling and bloating in the abdomen;
in rare cases, there is a burning sensation in the rectal region, due to its damage by dense and dry feces;
bowel movements streaked with blood;
mild pain before the urge to empty the bowels;
feeling of incomplete emptying of the intestines after the act of defecation;
feeling of blockage during bowel movements;
the need to stimulate the anus for the release of feces from the intestines.

Treatment features

When treating constipation during pregnancy, it is necessary to correctly and delicately eliminate the very cause that causes difficult bowel movements. The main ways to get rid of constipation are based on normalizing the nutrition of a pregnant woman, correcting lifestyle, taking laxatives and using therapy, including folk remedies.

Diet and diet

For constipation during pregnancy, you should follow a special diet and menu. Food must be taken fractionally: in small portions 5-6 times a day, at the same time. In between meals, you can eat fresh fruits, dairy products. This will normalize the level of essential substances in the intestines for its cleansing.

Breakfast: salad of fresh vegetables, seasoned with vegetable or olive oil. A steamed omelet is not a strong tea.
Lunch: fresh apple, tea or a glass of mineral water.
Lunch: vegetable soup, beetroot soup with sour cream. Lean meat (no more than 100 g). Dried fruits compote.
Afternoon snack: rosehip broth, chamomile or green tea with crackers.
Dinner: boiled fish with vegetables or mashed potatoes, cottage cheese or pastries with curd filling, tea.
During constipation during pregnancy, it is very useful to drink a glass of yogurt, fermented baked milk or snow before bedtime.

fresh fruits and vegetables;
dried fruits: prunes, dried apricots;
wheat bran (they can be consumed in pure form, added to main courses);
porridge: buckwheat, barley, pearl barley;
bran or crushed grain bread;
dairy products;
still mineral water;
vegetable juices.

It is not recommended to add jelly, jellied meat, jelly, legumes, fried foods to the menu. They slow down intestinal motility and provoke increased gas production. With caution and in limited quantities, you can eat sweets, drink coffee and strong black tea.

Lifestyle correction

Insufficient mobility of a pregnant woman also becomes a frequent cause of disruption of normal bowel movements. In this case, it is advisable to perform at home a set of physiotherapy exercises for expectant mothers, swim, walk more and walk in the fresh air. If the work of the expectant mother is associated with a long sitting in one position, it is imperative to take 15 minute breaks every hour to exclude limb leakage and stagnation of blood in the hip region.

Medications

Severe Constipation During Pregnancy - What To Do When Diet And Exercise Failed To Work? In this case, laxatives can be used. But any medications that eliminate defecation disorders during this period should be taken only after consulting a specialist, since almost all of them have a lot of side effects.

The group of drugs that are safe for a pregnant woman and a fetus includes the following funds:

Rectal suppositories based on glycerin - have a slight irritating effect on rectal receptors, do not increase the tone of the muscles of the uterus.
Fiberlex is a drug made on the basis of enzymes and fatty acids that are safe for pregnant women. It normalizes the functioning of the entire digestive tract and gently affects the mucous membrane of the intestinal walls without irritating them. Fiberlex is recommended to be used for constipation during pregnancy, which periodically occurs due to eating disorders. The drug has a mild effect. The effect occurs after 5-7 days of regular use.
Duphalac, Mucofalk, Forlax are mild and long-acting preparations. The effect occurs after 1-2 days after taking the funds. They are absolutely safe for the health of the expectant mother and fetus, are not absorbed into the intestinal walls and have no effect on the muscle tone of the uterus.
Mikrolax is an oil-based micro enema with a quick effect.
Vaseline oil - used internally. Reaching the intestine, it is evenly distributed over the surface of its walls, softens hard feces and facilitates their movement to the anus.

If constipation is provoked by the psychoemotional state of a pregnant woman, then the use of drugs will not be enough to solve the problem. In this case, the help of a psychotherapist is needed.

It is strictly forbidden to eliminate constipation during pregnancy with ordinary cleansing enemas, even based on ordinary water. This method not only quickly cleans the intestines of feces, but also activates the muscle activity of the uterus, which can lead to miscarriage.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine recipes, like medications, for the treatment of constipation during pregnancy should be used only with the permission of the attending physician. This is because many herbs can have a negative effect on the tone of the uterine muscles and the condition of the baby in the womb.

The most effective and safe are:

A decoction of prunes - 200 g of prunes and 100 g of oatmeal are poured into 2 liters of cold water. The ingredients are brought to a boil and boiled over the lowest heat for half an hour. The finished mass is filtered through cheesecloth, cooled and stored in the refrigerator. Take 1 tbsp. before going to bed until the stool returns to normal.
A mixture of dried fruits - prunes, dried apricots and raisins are taken in equal amounts, washed and ground in a blender until puree. The resulting mass is mixed with honey (for 300 g of a mixture of 2 tbsp. L. Honey). Take 2 tsp at night. the finished mass, washed down with water until the intestinal activity is completely normalized.
It is very useful for constipation during pregnancy to drink every morning on an empty stomach 1 st. cold water - this not only supports the normal functioning of the stomach, but also enhances intestinal peristalsis, softens the feces. Cold water does not irritate the mucous membrane of the intestinal walls and has no effect on the tone of the muscles of the uterus.
A glass of kefir with 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil also helps to normalize bowel activity and eliminate constipation.

Pregnant women should strictly not consume herbal preparations containing herbs such as senna, joster, rhubarb and buckthorn.

Prophylaxis

Preventive measures for constipation in pregnancy include:

proper and balanced nutrition, which must include the first and second courses cooked in steam, a sufficient amount of liquid;
an active lifestyle, implying leisurely walks in the fresh air, a set of physiotherapy exercises designed for pregnant women (in the absence of contraindications);
balanced psycho-emotional state.

Constipation during pregnancy cannot do much harm to the unborn child due to the intoxication of the mother's body with feces. But you need to get rid of this problem in a timely manner. This will improve the quality of life of the pregnant woman, as well as eliminate the risk of prolapse of hemorrhoids and