5 Natural Ways to Treat Constipation During Pregnancy
Many women have constipation before they get pregnant, but with the increase in hormones and pressure of the womb against the bowels, the problem can get considerably worse. Luckily, there are some tried and true natural ways to get things flowing again, without resorting toover-the-counter drugs that can harm a developing baby.
One of the culprits causing constipation during pregnancy is an increase in progesterone. This hormone causes the smooth muscle fibers to relax in the body, preparing mom and the baby for delivery. But it also smoothes the intestines, which means the peristaltic motion is not as strong, and food moves more solely through the digestive tract. Another cause is that your large and small intestine are simply running out of real estate as the baby grows, causing slow digestion as well.
The following are 5 sure-fire remedies to help support digestive health while pregnant:
- 1. Eat high-fiber foods – It is already a good idea to do this even when you aren’t pregnant since insoluble fiber helps to move undigested food through the digestive tract, but during pregnancy it is vital. Flax seeds and almonds are high in fiber, and so are fruits and vegetables. If you aren’t getting enough of these foods due to morning sickness, try taking psyllium tablets or eat a bowl of organic oat bran with some strawberries.
- 2. Watermelon is key – This is an old midwives remedy for constipation. Midwives used to boil watermelon seeds to make a tea for pregnant women suffering from constipation, though you can also just eat lots of the fruit. Since it is full of water, it also helps to move food through the bowels. Watermelon seed-tea can also help an infant get its kidneys kick-started.
- 3. Magnesium supplements to the rescue – High dose magnesium supplements are safe to take during pregnancy and can really save an expecting mom who hasn’t been able to have a bowel movement for several days at a time.
- 4. Three cheers for chamomile – Sipping chamomile tea is a great way to relax your intestinal tract and your overall self. Chamomile has been used for centuries. It soothes frazzled nerves, helps with insomnia – another woe for pregnant women – and it also has a generally calming effect. Drink no more than two cups a day, though, since there are untested rumors that it can cause miscarriage in higher doses.
- 5. Change your angle – There are yoga poses that mimic many postures pregnant women are taught for giving birth. These poses are also really helpful with constipation. When your knees are at a 90-degree angle, everything is helped along quite well. Wind-relieving pose – and yes that is really the name of the posture – can help move both gas and undigested food through the intestines, providing considerable relief.
Here’s a recipe that will make you go to the bathroom in a couple of hours.
Peel 1-2 avocados
Add a little sea salt
3-4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (to taste)
1-2 tablespoons of lemon (to taste)
Mix all together and spread on your favorite crackers
Have a good time eating
Yes, avocados are high in fat but they contain fat that is good for you, monounsaturated. In 4 oz., half of an avocado contains 500mg of potassium and folate.
Magnesium supplements are safe and effective to relieve constipation during pregnancy. 300 to 400 mg of magnesium is good for clearing up the blockage.
You can also try freshly made cabbage soup to get instant relief. Make sure you do not take in too much quantities.
thanks!!!
thanks for sharing~~~~~~~~
I had the same problem, my DD’s stomach not feeling well for mor ethan a week. He like couldn’t go to toilet to do poo properly”. Quite worry!!! Moms, do you have any good suggestion to prevent constipation? Thanks in advance.
There’s a home remedy that I always use on my DS; u can try feeding them with more fruits so can provide with more fiber for better bowel movements. Its sweet too, children like it! make sure u cut it into small pieces, maybe cube form for easier consumption and digestion
change milk powder, could be ur milk powder is too “heaty” for ur child. Drink more water.
You should look for proper and proven remedies to help your child to prevent constipation because a lot of traditional remedies are dangerous and not working. I tried before as I used one of the traditional remedies that recommended by my neighbour, but ended up I brought my daughter to visit doctor in hospital. Seriously it is dangerous and you better don’t simply try.
I think u can try using Mamil bcos I was facing the same prob previously, my DD also had hard stools, in fact it was very bad. Then I somehow managed to found out that Mamil has prebiotic that can prevent children constipation in long term and besides that, Mamil also has no sucrose and highest DHA level in the market now.. u can see the results within a week definitely..
Hope that you could give it a try too. My kids have the same problem, after the switch, say bye bye to their constipation problem!! But, thanks for my friends for introducing.
I believe not all the traditional remedies are working, most of them dont work on every children. Depending on whether ur kid can take it or not. There’s once my LO got into hosp due to minor poisoning after consuming some chinese traditional herb given by my SIL which she used to give it to her son as well.. little kids stomach is very sensitive one u knw. never tried any traditional remedies after that.. I suggest u mothers here don’t ever try unknown remedies unless its prescribed by doctors or medical consultants.
Guys, I need your attention here. Recently my kids has loss appetite, she used to take 3 meal per day but now even I cooked her favorite food she still refuse to eat and complain to me that she has stomach ache. At that moment only I realized that she has a hard belly. She not even pooping even I forced her to go for toilet for more than half hour everyday but still no significantly result. I did some research on it, all these symptoms explained that she might facing constipation issue and one of the main reason to cause this issue was the formula milk. I need some advise urgently on which formula milk that can effectively help in preventing constipation issue? Thanks in advance
i recommended u try out for mamil. trust me mamil can prevent constipation. i’ve used mamil before for my kid after he got constipated too. i choose mamil because i’ve compared some of formula milk at market and i’ve found mamil was the best. mamil contained no sugar, got high level of dha and good bacteria which is good for digest. after a week my son drink it, so far his constipation been prevented.
You’re right! My DD is also having Mamil formula. She faced major constipation previously and ended up in hosp. My friend who is a mother of 9YO kid suggested me switching to Mamil I’m glad that i had switched for her. Mamil is suitable for children from 1-9YO. Also, it contains prebiotics oligosaccharide that helps maintain a good intestinal environment. My girl no longer suffer in constiaption now.. Some parents might think that Mamil is not affordable, you can request for free trial from Mamil and you will see the difference.
I have the similar issue over my kid as well.. in fact, I tried a lot of method… it is really upset when my 2YO kid that time crying on the stool when poo poo, until my friend-another mother recommended Mamil for my kid… I can see improvement on her..maybe it is the pre-biotic formula in the milk… had really helps her to prevent on Constipation
is there any promotion Mamil formula pack recently? i will consider to give Mamil a try if got promotion
i have no idea about the promotion.. but 1 thing i know is mothers can log on to Mamil website to redeem a free trial pack. no need to wait for any promotion.. the trial pack is FOC what…
Based on my experience with Mamil, I think it’s suitable for your case. Because Mamil is really good helping to preventing constipation for children where Mamil can softer stools and increase good bacteria for children. Also, it has the highest level of DHA and no sucrose at all which is important ingredients in children constipation prevention. I used it and it’s good, so i think it works for u as well.. Try and see for 7 days, u will have immediate results.
my DS who is 2YO also currently facing constipation problem. He’s now hates to go toilet because he is afraid of the painfulness due to not poo for 6 days already. The stools has become harden. Plus, he complained to me that he has tummy ache! I heard before that formula milk is the main reason which cause kids suffer in constipation, is it true? I’m so worry about him.
Where did you heard from? My son never change formula milk brand before but he seldom constipate. I dont think changing formula milk brand will solve your issue. Better take your son to see Doc or directly send him to the hospital
Which brand of formula milk that you buy for your son? Besides, what will you do as the constipation prevention for your son? Any suggestion?
My boy is consuming Mamil formula milk brand which suggested by my MIL. As I know, Mamil contains high level of DHA and 0% of sucrose. It helps to softer stools and increase good bacteria for kids, that’s why kids who consume Mamil formula milk brand rarely constipate.
Sounds not bad! My DS is not consuming Mamil. Guess I have to switch it for my DS. I dont want to see him suffer from constipation issue anymore! Thanks alot
Well, you can redeem a trial pack from Mamil website first and give it a try to see whether it is suitable for you kids or not. It is free of charge! At least better than you purchased a new pack but your son is not suitable with it, then you have to waste it.
noted with thanks
Would like to find out this from you guys, whether the treatment constipation for children is the same as adult? My DS is 1 year 4 month old, he has been constipated since he was exactly at 11 months old. I’ve tried everything by feeding him more veggies, drink prune juice etc, but it doesn’t seem to work. Constipation had make him lost appetite and he refuses to eat. I don’t know what to do, can anyone share any thoughts. Thank you
Alot of parents been looking for a way to help your children to get rid of bad constipation, and it’s frustrating to see advice like “drink more water” and “eat more vege.” IMHO, this is great PREVENTATIVE advice, not solution to the pain.
Here’s how I treat my DS constipation:
– Remove all dairy from diet.
– Prune juice every morning after drinking a glass of water
– Laxative/Probiotics but this is the last resort, only do it at the last resort
– Warm baths to relax her rectum
Hope it helps
My youngest son had MAJOR problems with constipation. Me and my husband had try every thing more fluids, more fiber, more fruit, more vegetables…. We tried him on Fish Oil, and a few other things as recommended by our mid wives friends. Somehow nothing worked. Until I take him to a pediatrician and then was given with Probiotic for kids. The problem solved. Then was recommended by doctor instead on relying on probiotics pills, he suggest to replace formula milk that contain pre-biotics, he recommend my son to take Mamil Dumex. After 3 month by taking it, my son is free from constipation. Please try this. It was a life saver for us.
What you can do add in little bit of watered with prune juice in a bottle, this method do worked a treat on my son, if your son refuse to drink water. But do becareful not to give too much though as can it might cause him diarrhea.. You need to work harder to make sure your son to eat as well, because he need food to grow…
Becareful when you make any decision. I think you should consult doctor to find out how. Since your son have no appetite why not to replace him with formula milk. Try to look for formula milk that is good for children that always constipation. You can request for sample milk for your son to try out. Especially milk powder is not cheap. So far as I know Mamil Dumex is giving free sample milk, which you can try out,.