Effective Treatments for Constipation During Pregnancy

You may be completely regular as far as going to the bathroom before getting pregnant, and then suddenly, you are stopped up and have issues when you need to go #2. If you are constipated, you have difficult or infrequent bowel movements, your stools are hard, and you may have pain or discomfort in your stomach. The prevalence of constipation is 40% in pregnant women and 52% in women postpartum. Several changes in pregnancy can cause constipation. Like most pregnancy-related issues, constipation will disappear after you have your baby. In the meantime, there are a lot of things you can do to relieve constipation. This episode examines interventions to relieve constipation during pregnancy, ranging from diet and lifestyle changes to supplements and over-the-counter medications. Thank you to our sponsors 20% off Mommy Steps or Form insoles with the promo code FEET. Studies show pregnancy can make your feet grow. In one study, 61% of participants had a measurable increase in foot length, and 22% reported going up a shoe size. The thought of going up a shoe size and having to replace every pair of shoes you own might freak you out. The good news is that wearing insoles can protect your feet from going up in size. Unlock brain-building play with KiwiCo Panda Crate! Get 20% off your first month with code PREGNANCYPODCAST at kiwico.com/panda. The KiwiCo Panda Crate is a bimonthly subscription for babies ages 0-24 months. KiwiCo baby products are safe and high quality and support your baby's rapid development with products that support child-led play and encourage open-ended exploration. Unlock brain-building play with KiwiCo Panda Crate! Get 20% off your first month with code PREGNANCYPODCAST. Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. Each serving of AG1 delivers your daily dose of vitamins, minerals, pre- and probiotics, and more. It’s a powerful, healthy habit that’s also powerfully simple. (As a friendly reminder, pregnant or nursing women should seek professional medical advice before taking this or any other dietary supplement.) Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode. Join Pregnancy Podcast Premium to access the entire back catalog, listen to all episodes ad-free, get a copy of the Your Birth Plan Book, and more. Check out the 40 Weeks podcast to learn how your baby grows each week and what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners. For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website.