Constipation: is this normal?
Constipation is the most common pregnancy-related health and wellness complaint. According to various sources [1, 2], 30-70% of expectant mothers encounter this problem. The change in hormonal levels, uterine pressure on the intestines, and the weakening of peristalsis all influence the digestive process from about the 17th week of pregnancy.
If you experience constipation during your first trimester, it is most likely a preexisting condition not caused by pregnancy. It is commonly associated with deficient diets and a sedentary lifestyle, especially in women over 35 with a BMI > 24 [2].
Mental and emotional health and wellbeing also impact digestive health. If your early pregnancy was high-risk, the emotional burden can lead to physical effects like constipation [2]. In these cases, seeing a therapist can help the body as well as mind.
The most common fix for constipation is a doctor-recommended diet [3] with an abundance of the following foods:
fiber-rich foods like cabbage, root vegetables, cucumbers, zucchini, and apples;
nuts and legumes;
muesli, cereal, and whole wheat bread;
yogurt, kefir, and other probiotic or fermented dairy products;
lots of water (at least eight glasses per day).
The following foods tend to worsen constipation and should be avoided:
refined foods like sugar, white bread, and semolina;
sweets, especially chocolate;
tea, coffee, and hot cocoa;
creamy soups and carbs like risotto;
high protein diets.
If changing your diet doesn’t help, probiotic supplements might make a difference [1, 3]. You may also benefit from reducing your iron intake, as high iron diets can provoke constipation. If none of these strategies help, your doctor may prescribe laxatives as a last resort [3, 4], which should be taken only for a short time and as directed.
