• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Natural Cures for Constipation During Pregnancy

October 11, 2009 by ModernMom Staff Leave a Comment

Constipation during pregnancy is a common ailment. Constipation can be particularly severe in the first trimester. As this is when baby is most vulnerable to outside influences, most medications are out of the question. Luckily, there are several natural cures for constipation during pregnancy that are both safe and effective. These small changes can make big improvements in your comfort.

Make Dietary Changes

The safest natural cure for constipation during pregnancy involves modifying your diet to include additional fiber and water. Fiber helps the body to digest foods quickly, easily and completely. The USDA recommends getting at least 25 grams of fiber a day to stay regular. The major sources of fiber include: beans, legumes, lentils, fruit, vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals. Additionally, water helps digestion by lubricating the intestines and softening stools. While this solution has long-lasting results, it is not instant. It can take several hours or days to begin taking effect.

Avoid Too Much Iron

Iron is crucial to the proper development of your growing baby. At one point in time, women were prone to iron deficiencies during pregnancy. However, most women now get more than enough iron from diet alone. Nonetheless, some physicians still prescribe an iron supplement before testing a woman’s iron levels. Taking an iron supplement frequently results in severe constipation. To avoid this problem, discuss possible testing and options your physician can provide rather than iron supplements.

Listen to Your Body

According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, one of the most common causes of constipation comes from simply ignoring the urge to defecate. Knowing that constipation is so prevalent in the first trimester of pregnancy, use the most natural cure for constipation and simply have a bowel movement right when you feel the need. Putting off bathroom needs may start a cycle of constipation that could have been avoided.

Participate in Light Exercise

Rigorous exercise during pregnancy may injure a baby and is, obviously, a bad idea during any stage of pregnancy. However, the American Pregnancy Association informs mothers that moderate exercise is still advisable throughout any normal pregnancy. Moderate exercise, an hour or more a week, helps ward off constipation during pregnancy by stimulating the bowels. Some exercise can even provide instant results in relieving constipation. If you are having difficulty getting stool to pass, simply sway your hips all around gently. This action will not hurt your baby but it will work to activate a sluggish colon.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Pregnancy

About ModernMom Staff

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

10 Life Lessons I Want To Pass On To My Daughter

I look at my little girl, who is now three years old, and I … [Read More...] about 10 Life Lessons I Want To Pass On To My Daughter

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

How to Take Wrinkles Out of Polyester With Steam

How to Fix a Broken Slab of Marble

Children Overcome a Fear of Water

How Do Children Overcome a Fear of Water?

Cover a Pork Roast

Should You Cover a Pork Roast & Add Liquid When Baking?

Breast Pains & Pregnancy

Breast Pains & Pregnancy

Repair Scratches in Glass Tabletops

How to Repair Scratches in Glass Tabletops

Emotional Development of Adolescents

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2022 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.