Are You Dealing with Constipation During Pregnancy?
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Now that you're pregnant do you find that your system is somewhat slower or less efficient than normal?
Well, unfortunately, infrequent bowel movements affects at least half of all pregnant women!
During pregnancy, your digestive system (like so many other things) changes - digestion slows down because your new pregnancy hormones cause the smooth muscles of your stomach and intestinal wall to relax.
Another culprit is hydration. Pregnant women often don't realize that they need to drink MORE fluid than they're used to.
And then there's also the iron in your prenatal vitamins and your expanding uterus pressing on your rectum - a lot for your system to contend with!
The long and short of it is that infrequent bowel movements ARE normal during pregnancy, BUT that does not mean that you have to settle for it. Here are some of my tips to help you out...
During pregnancy, your digestive system (like so many other things) changes - digestion slows down because your new pregnancy hormones cause the smooth muscles of your stomach and intestinal wall to relax.
Another culprit is hydration. Pregnant women often don't realize that they need to drink MORE fluid than they're used to.
And then there's also the iron in your prenatal vitamins and your expanding uterus pressing on your rectum - a lot for your system to contend with!
The long and short of it is that infrequent bowel movements ARE normal during pregnancy, BUT that does not mean that you have to settle for it. Here are some of my tips to help you out...
10 EASY WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DIGESTION DURING PREGNANCY
1. Drink at least eight big glasses of water a day.
2. Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables (preferably the non-starchy ones). Natural prune juice did the trick for me!
3. Eat lots of fiber to give your intestines a workout. Choose whole grains such as oats, brown rice, and barley.
4. Avoid refined carbohydrates, such as flour and sugar.
5. Avoid processed cheeses - they can be constipating!
6. Eat nuts and seeds (preferably ground).
7. Exercise (or just walk) daily (if you can) - preferably 20 plus minutes.
8. Keep your stress levels to a minimum.
9. Listen to your urge to go to the bathroom (do NOT wait!).
10. And last but not least, try a natural remedy like flaxseeds (soak 1 tablespoon of flaxseeds in 6 ounces of water and drink) or my personal 'favorite' - stewed prunes.
Drinking water, eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and being active will not only help relieve your discomfort, but you'll feel great too!
2. Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables (preferably the non-starchy ones). Natural prune juice did the trick for me!
3. Eat lots of fiber to give your intestines a workout. Choose whole grains such as oats, brown rice, and barley.
4. Avoid refined carbohydrates, such as flour and sugar.
5. Avoid processed cheeses - they can be constipating!
6. Eat nuts and seeds (preferably ground).
7. Exercise (or just walk) daily (if you can) - preferably 20 plus minutes.
8. Keep your stress levels to a minimum.
9. Listen to your urge to go to the bathroom (do NOT wait!).
10. And last but not least, try a natural remedy like flaxseeds (soak 1 tablespoon of flaxseeds in 6 ounces of water and drink) or my personal 'favorite' - stewed prunes.
Drinking water, eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and being active will not only help relieve your discomfort, but you'll feel great too!
For more Pregnancy Diet and Exercise Advice
Visit my Website
- Pregnancy Without Pounds - Diet and Exercise Routine for Pregnant Women
- Pregnancy Without Pounds is an E-Book that teaches pregnant women how to avoid unwanted pounds, how to eat right and perform exercises while pregnant.
Guestbook Comments
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KonaGirl
Sep 17, 2011 @ 11:55 am | delete
- Welcome to Squidoo! Nice job. Better than natural prune juice is eating stewed prunes along with the excellent diet you have recommended. Just get natural dried prunes and bring them about a 1-1/2 cups of prunes to a boil in about a cup of water. Turn down to a simmer and simmer about 20 minutes or until prunes are soft. Cool and eat. They are a good addition to an already healthy breakfast. Keep up the good work and make more lens!
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by michellemoss
Michelle Moss is the creator of Pregnancy Without Pounds TM, Mommy Without Pounds and The SECRET Moms Club. Michelle has a background in behavioral co... more »
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