Top 6 Tips to Prevent Pregnancy Constipation

Unfortunately constipation is a very common symptom of pregnancy. During pregnancy, avoiding constipation is by far a better option than having to cure it. Here are some useful tips to prevent pregnancy constipation.

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Tips for Preventing Constipation during Pregnancy


1. Eat High Fiber Foods
Fiber greatly helps the bowel move easily and regularly. When pregnant, you need to eat high fiber foods like whole fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, and breakfast cereals to help prevent pregnancy constipation.

2. Drink Plenty of Water
Proper hydration prevents constipation in pregnancy. Drinking plenty of water helps remove toxins and waste products from your body and helps to prevent fluid retention and constipation. Drinking six to eight glasses of water daily will result in a healthy bowel movement.

3. Get Enough Exercise and Stay Active
Inactivity also leads to constipation during pregnancy. Staying active and exercising reduces the pressure on veins and helps to prevent constipation. Simple exercises like walking, yoga, swimming, and cycling are all effective to avoid pregnancy constipation. These physical activities will help to loosen your bowels, will make you feel lighter, more energetic, and less bloated.

4. Reduce the Intake of Iron Supplements
A possible complication of taking iron supplements in pregnancy is constipation. For preventing constipation, reduce the intake of iron supplements. By Ensuring proper intake of foods that contain iron during your entire pregnancy, it is possible to fulfill your iron needs during pregnancy. You will need regular medical checkups to make sure you are getting iron to help keep yourself and your baby healthy.

5. Consume Only the Recommended Levels of Calcium
During pregnancy, the need for calcium is increased. Calcium generally doesn't cause constipation in small doses. However, consumption of too much calcium in pregnancy can lead to hardening of the bowels, thus causing constipation. To avoid constipation, don't take more calcium than the recommended levels of consumption.

6. Stool Softeners
You can use mild laxative or stool softeners, which are safe to relieve and prevent constipation while pregnant. However, taking stronger laxatives can be harmful to your baby and in some cases induce premature labor. If you are pregnant, you shouldn't take any laxatives without your doctor's approval.

These are very useful tips for preventing and treating constipation during pregnancy. Aside from these tips to prevent pregnancy constipation, you can maintain healthy diet and eating habits by simply keeping a daily food diary to track the foods and beverages you consume.