Bounty

Your questions answered by Ruth Armes of Greatvine.com

How can I treat constipation when I’m 5 months pregnant?

Constipation is fairly common during pregnancy. Two of the possible reasons for this are:

1. That your digestive system slows because of pregnancy hormones relaxing the smooth muscles of the intestine
2. Taking an iron supplement

It is important to avoid straining, as this can easily lead to piles, which can be extremely uncomfortable.

Pregnancy constipation tips

Here are some simple ways, which might help you:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat 1 tablespoon of whole linseed daily. You can sprinkle it on cereal, or put it in a glass of water and drink it down.
3. Drink prune juice or eat prunes and other dried fruit. These have the added advantage of being rich in iron.
4. Eat more fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and cut out sugar. Eat less white bread and pasta, and more wholegrain.
5. If you are taking an iron supplement, which is causing your constipation, try swapping it for Floravital, which you can get from a health food shop, or Spatone, which you can get from a chemist. These are both iron rich supplements, which tend to upset the digestive system less.
6. Reflexology or acupuncture can be very helpful. Make sure you consult a qualified practitioner with experience of treating pregnant women.
7. Massage your abdomen in a clockwise direction.
8. Exercise aids digestion and encourages circulation, stimulating bowel movements. Try yoga, walking, or swimming.
9. Do not take laxatives unless your doctor has prescribed them to you.

Ruth Armes

Ruth Armes is a qualified active birth and NCT teacher with over 15 years of experience and has supported over 2,000 pregnant women and their partners through the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy. Ruth’s specialities include pregnancy-related ailments, Yoga for pregnancy, and educating parents about their options for childbirth so that parents can make the right choice for them. For individual advice you can trust, book a private phone call with Ruth at www.greatvine.com/ruth_armes
 

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