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How is pregnancy impacting your digestive system?
For pregnant women, constipation is a very common condition. It affects at least half of all pregnant women at some point and tends to be more troublesome in women who were already prone to constipation before pregnancy1,2. Various factors can trigger this discomfort during and even also after the pregnancy. Here are a few explanations of why you might be feeling uncomfortable:
Hormonal changes
During pregnancy, the body is expanding, evolving, and creating increased amounts of the hormones. Rising progesterone levels during pregnancy and reduced motilin hormone levels lead to increases in bowel transit time and increased water absorption from the intestines, which causes stool to dry out and become harder which makes bowel movements more difficult. These effects participate in slowing down the intestinal transit2,3.
Physical changes
Towards the end of pregnancy, the expansion of the uterus can put an increased pressure on the intestines. Resulting from this, intestines may need more time to process digestion, causing the discomfort linked to constipation. During these times, women are subject to abdominal pain or discomfort, difficult and infrequent bowel movements, and the passage of hard stools. These are usual signs of constipation.
Diet changes
Whether you are already pregnant or just planning to become pregnant, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your future child. When it comes to nutrition, many women change their habits, stop smoking and suspend alcohol consumption when they get pregnant. However, some food can exacerbate constipation, including dairy or red meat. Often, health care providers prescribe prenatal vitamins and supplements, including iron and calcium which promote constipation on their own2. If you have any signs of constipation possibly resulting from a change in nutrition habits, you should consult your doctor.
What effect does pregnancy have on my body?
Pregnancy brings a lot of change for a woman’s body including hormonal changes and a growing uterus hence pressing against the lower bowel in the later stages of pregnancy. Constipation is a very common result of these changes in your body caused by pregnancy. So here are a few triggers and their effects:
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Increased level of hormones
Pregnant women produce more hormones than usual, including the hormone called progesterone, which is a muscle relaxant. Progesterone prevents uterus contractions, but also relaxes the muscles of the nearby digestive system, causing digestion to slow down, leading to dry, hard and infrequent stool. Another hormone, aldosterone, makes the colon absorb more liquid and electrolytes than usual which makes stools harder and bowel movements more difficult2. All this causes your bowels to be less stimulated and you may find going to the toilets harder.
Changing nutrition habits
Pregnancy can make a woman change her diet habits; maybe you’re eating way more of one thing while you can’t stand the sight of another one. In any case, sudden changes, or certain types of food can cause constipation, Meaning that if you’re eating less fibers, chances are that your body will lack resources contained in these foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains...) and might struggle to stimulate the digestive muscles or hydrate stools enough. Supplements taken during pregnancy such as iron-based preparations or antacids can slow down the intestinal transit and therefore trigger constipation as well.
A few tricks to move things along
There is no secret: to help yourself feel better, the first step is to change a few things in your daily life. But don’t worry! You don’t need to change your habits all at once; step by step, see how your body reacts to the few changes you make.
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Dulcolax® Pedia Suppositories 5 mg
Stimulates bowel movements by helping facilitate transit and evacuation of the stool in about 20-30 minutes.
-
Dulcolax® Coated Tablets
Stimulates bowel movements by helping facilitate transit and evacuation of the stool overnight (between 6-12 hours)
-
Dulcolax® Adult Suppositories 10 mg
Stimulates bowel movements by helping facilitate transit and evacuation of the stool in about 20-30 minutes.
Dulcolax® Pedia Suppositories 5 mg
Stimulates bowel movements by helping facilitate transit and evacuation of the stool in about 20-30 minutes.
Stay informed
Constipation symptoms such as bloatedness, gassiness and hard dry stool can be extremely bothersome and persistent. Because we know how frustrating and stressful these periods can be, we can help identify the causes for constipation and how to prevent it.
What are the daily habits that can cause constipation?
Our daily life habits have a strong impact on our body functions, including our digestive system. The result may be that you get constipated. But a little goes a long way. Making simple changes to your lifestyle habits is the first step for most people.
How can getting older cause constipation?
As we get older, the bowel muscles in the digestive tract need a little bit more time to move food and stool through the intestines. The resulting constipation is a frequently reported bowel symptom in the elderly with considerable impact on quality of life. Understand how age can change your body and how to adapt to help yourself feel better.
- American Pregnancy Association. Constipation in Pregnancy. 2020. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/constipation-during-pregnancy-964/
- Harms RW. Mayo Clinic guide to a healthy pregnancy. 2011. Mayo Foundation for medical education and research.
- Trottier M, Erebara A, Bozzo P. Treating constipation during pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2012 Aug;58(8):836-8.