Why Constipation happens during pregnancy, and how to fix it.

There are a lot of reasons why you may be finding yourself in this dilemma, but typically, constipation during pregnancy is a result of any combination of the following:

Hormones

Pregnancy hormones, like progesterone, are critical to maintaining a healthy pregnancy, but can also have some less-than magical side effects. Like slowing down your digestive system. With your poop tubes on island time, food sticks around a lot longer, and makes it harder (literally) to get it from point A to point Butthole.

Your Ever-Expanding Uterus

Yep, the bigger that puppy gets, the more it pushes down on your bowels, making it difficult for business to operate as usual.

Supplements

Calcium and Iron are known offenders when it comes to clogging the pipes and are both found in your prenatal vitamin. With that said, they are also critical components for baby building, so don’t stop taking it in an attempt to move things along, without first consulting a human doctor.

Diet

A diet that is low in fiber, and high in processed cereals and grains may appease your cravings for donuts, but isn’t doing you any favors in the mobility department. Add to that not drinking enough water, and you’ve got a recipe for rectal disaster.

Stress

One of the very obvious but most underrated reasons is stress. There are some simple things you can do to take control of this fecal freak show, hopefully before you have to Google anal fissures.

So how do you fix it?

Fiber

Fiber is your friend, and can show up in some unexpected places, like air-popped popcorn, and even kiwis, which pack a surprising punch of 2.1 grams of fiber per fruit. Beans, leafy greens, and of course the old stand-by, prunes, are also all good options. The key here is to ease into your new fiber-rich diet.

Exercise

Doing something as simple as going for a walk or chasing your toddler around after dinner trying to wipe crap off their face can help move things along.

Stay hydrated

Drink. Water. Did you really think you’d read an article about a pregnancy ailment that DIDN’T suggest you up your water intake? Sometimes it seems like an easy out, but in this case it makes a ton of sense because the longer stool hangs around in the colon, the more water is absorbed, and the harder it gets. More water = softer stools.

Go if you feel the urge

Look, nobody likes taking an epic shit in a public bathroom, but when you gotta go, you gotta go. Holding it in can make it worse.

One important note: Do not take medications (like laxatives or mineral oil) while pregnant, unless prescribed by a doctor. They can have some unwanted side effects, like uterine contractions and dehydration, which you are going to want to stay away from.

Constipation during pregnancy (or anytime, for that matter) is a real buzzkill, but changing a few simple things can make a world of difference in the defecation department.