Control constipation by changing how, what, and when you eat.
During pregnancy at 12 weeks, changes are continuing throughout your body, reacting in new ways to the foods you normally eat. One of those ways may be constipation.
When you're pregnant, the hormone progesterone slows digestion — a good thing for your baby, but not so much for your colon. Your body has more time to absorb needed nutrients from food, but your colon is absorbing more water, too, which can cause harder stools, and could lead to constipation.
During pregnancy at 12 weeks, changes are continuing throughout your body, reacting in new ways to the foods you normally eat. One of those ways may be constipation.
When you're pregnant, the hormone progesterone slows digestion — a good thing for your baby, but not so much for your colon. Your body has more time to absorb needed nutrients from food, but your colon is absorbing more water, too, which can cause harder stools, and could lead to constipation.
Nutritional tips for controlling constipation during pregnancy
- Eat fiber-rich foods including whole-grain breads, oatmeal, and brown rice.
- Eat a variety of vegetables, legumes, and nuts, including peas, broccoli, and almonds.
- Drink plenty of water — at least ten 240 ml glasses a day.
- Drink 100% fresh fruit juices and eat whole fruits, especially prunes, pears, and raspberries, which are all fiber-rich foods.
- Try eating smaller, more frequent meals.
- Add a little more activity to your exercise routine. Just an extra 10 minutes might offer the boost your system needs.
Gas and bloating also are common complaints in the early months of pregnancy. You unknowingly might be aggravating the situation by gulping air in response to nausea. Some tips that may help:
- Eat slowly
- Don't lie down right after eating. Give yourself time to digest while you're still upright
- Keeping constipation in check will help with gas or bloating
- If constipation persists, speak with your doctor
