Is constipation after pregnancy common? 7 tips to deal with it

The sensation of bringing a brand new life, your child, into this world can’t be defined in phrases. Whilst you prioritise your baby’s well being and luxury, postpartum well being issues should not be ignored. It’s common for girls to face postpartum constipation. These digestive points following being pregnant contain rare bowel actions and problem passing stools, no matter how easily your being pregnant went. Whereas hormonal modifications contribute to postpartum constipation, there are quite a few different components at play as effectively. Learn on to search out its causes and learn to cope with it.

What causes constipation after being pregnant?

There are a number of components that may enhance the danger of constipation after being pregnant. Listed here are 5 frequent causes:

1. Hormonal modifications

Hormonal fluctuations, together with decreased progesterone ranges, are fairly frequent throughout and after being pregnant. It may have an effect on gastrointestinal operate, resulting in digestive points, together with constipation.

2. Haemorrhoids

Many ladies develop haemorrhoids after childbirth, particularly after vaginal supply. It’s possible you’ll expertise discomfort, which makes passing stools harder. Nevertheless, the hyperlink between hemorrhoids and constipation goes each methods, as typically, constipation can even trigger haemorrhoids.

3. Iron dietary supplements

Whereas there isn’t any actual trigger for it, oral iron dietary supplements, generally prescribed throughout and after being pregnant, can contribute to points akin to constipation, stomach ache, and bloating.

Additionally Learn

4. Episiotomy or perineal tears

Ache and discomfort from episiotomy or perineal tears (a minimize by means of the realm between your vaginal opening and anus to make your vaginal opening bigger for childbirth) could make bowel actions uncomfortable, explains obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Aarthi Bharat.

5. Anal sphincter injury

Injury to the anal sphincter throughout childbirth could result in problem controlling bowel actions and different digestive points.

Learn how to do away with constipation after being pregnant?

1. Keep hydrated

Satisfactory hydration is crucial for sustaining wholesome digestion and stopping constipation. Ingesting loads of water all through the day can soften stools, making them simpler to move. Goal to drink at the least eight glasses of water day by day. Maintain a test in your water consumption and enhance it, particularly in case you are breastfeeding or participating in bodily exercise.

Does gestational diabetes go away after being pregnant? Know the reality

2. Rest

Postpartum stress and stress are frequent amongst ladies and stress is said to digestive points. To keep away from such results, be sure to enable your self to chill out and heal after being pregnant. “Discover methods to chill out and unwind, whether or not it’s by means of deep respiration workout routines, meditation, mild yoga, or taking a heat tub,” says Dr Bharat. Managing stress ranges might help cut back the danger of digestive issues.

3. Eat high-fibre meals

Fibre performs a vital function in selling common bowel actions by including bulk to stool and facilitating its passage by means of the digestive tract. Incorporate fibre-rich meals into your weight-reduction plan, akin to fruits, greens, entire grains, legumes, and nuts. These meals not solely assist forestall constipation but in addition present important vitamins for postpartum restoration. Dr Bharat advises avoiding meals which might be laborious to digest, akin to starchy greens, grains, dairy merchandise, beans, and peas.

5 meals to melt stool and relieve constipation

4. Embody prunes in your weight-reduction plan

Prunes, or dried plums, are famend for his or her pure laxative properties. They comprise sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that helps soften stools and promote bowel actions. In keeping with analysis performed by Harvard Well being Publishing, individuals who drank prune juice for 3–7 weeks skilled fewer laborious and lumpy stools and had common bowel actions. Incorporate prunes into your weight-reduction plan by consuming them as a snack, including them to oatmeal or yoghurt, or ingesting prune juice.

5. Drink heat liquids

Heat liquids might help stimulate digestion and relieve constipation by selling muscle leisure within the digestive tract. “Having fun with a cup of natural teas akin to chamomile or peppermint, heat water with lemon, or broth will be soothing and encourage bowel actions,” explains Dr Bharat. Keep away from extreme consumption of caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, as they’ll have a dehydrating impact.

6. Take probiotics

Probiotics are helpful micro organism that assist intestine well being by sustaining a balanced intestine microbiome. They might help regulate bowel actions and alleviate constipation by selling the expansion of wholesome micro organism within the intestines. To keep up day by day probiotic consumption, you’ll be able to incorporate dietary supplements and probiotic-rich meals, akin to yoghurt, kefir, and fermented greens, into your weight-reduction plan. If you’re breastfeeding, seek the advice of together with your healthcare supplier earlier than consuming dietary supplements.

7. Pelvic flooring muscle groups remedy

Weak pelvic flooring muscle groups can contribute to constipation and different pelvic flooring issues. Pelvic flooring muscle remedy, often known as pelvic flooring workout routines or Kegel workout routines, might help strengthen the muscle groups that management bowel actions. “Incorporate pelvic flooring workout routines into your day by day routine to enhance muscle tone and assist wholesome bowel operate,” says the knowledgeable.

These easy suggestions could make a giant distinction in serving to you are feeling higher after giving beginning and supporting your physique’s restoration!