Relieving constipation during pregnancy
It is normal to experience a variety of changes during your pregnancy while your baby grows and develops. Pregnancy is a time of change for everyone – mother, baby, partner, and family. From conception to the birth of your baby, your body will go through an exciting transformation. Changing hormone levels are responsible for many of the physical and emotional changes that you experience during pregnancy – possible backaches, nausea, exhaustion, heartburn and occasional constipation.
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10 min read
How does pregnancy impact your digestive system ?
Approximately 11% to 38% of women experience constipation during pregnancy. Pregnancy predisposes women to developing constipation owing to physiologic and anatomic changes in the gastrointestinal tract.
In addition, dietary changes, such as not eating some of the foods you’re used to, or eating less, can also cause constipation – and to top it all off, a growing fetus may slow down the movement of the bowel.
If you are suffering from constipation during your pregnancy, please consult your doctor.
Hormonal changes
“Pregnancy” and “hormonal changes” – now those are two words that go together. During your first trimester, changing hormones may make you feel tired, have nausea and vomiting, and tender breasts. During your second trimester hormone levels even out, any signs of nausea may lessen, and you may feel a heightened sense of well-being. And lastly, during your third trimester, you will become more visibly pregnant. Your baby may push on your lungs, stomach, and bladder, causing shortness of breath, heartburn, gas, and frequent urination.
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Physical changes
Pregnancy changes may include: backache, nausea and vomiting, heartburn, hemorrhoids, frequent urination, feeling tired, increase in appetite, increased vaginal discharge, tender breasts, and constipation. Towards the end of the pregnancy, the expansion of the uterus can put an increased pressure on the intestines. Due to this, intestines may need more time to process digestion, causing constipation.
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Dietary changes
During pregnancy, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Some foods that you may be used to eating, such as dairy products or red meat, may lead to constipation.
What effect does pregnancy have on your body ?
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Increased levels of hormones
Pregnant women produce more hormones than usual, including the hormones called relaxin and progesterone; which act as muscle relaxants. These hormones relax the joints and ligaments in the pelvic area to make room for the growing baby. As a result, they also relax the muscles of the nearby digestive system, causing bowel movements to slow down, leading to constipation. Another hormone, aldosterone, makes the colon absorb more liquid and electrolytes than usual which makes stools harder and bowel movements more difficult. All of this causes less stimulation around your bowels so you may find it harder to get relief.
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Changing nutrition habits
Different eating habits while pregnant can cause constipation. Maybe you’re eating more of certain foods while you can’t stand the sight of another one – either way, sudden changes can cause occasional constipation.
Tips and tricks to get relief
Pregnancy should be the time where you focus on you and your little one – not the time to be worrying about constipation.
Dulcolax® family of products
Occasional constipation is a common condition with a wide range of possible causes. We know how unpredictable and frustrating constipation can be, so we are here to help identify the possible causes and teach you how to address them.
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Dulcolax® Soft Chews Kids
Dulcolax® Soft Chews Kids help kids* to get fast and gentle constipation relief, so they can get back doing the things they love. This great-tasting chew works in as little as 30 minutes*, so parents can help their child with occasional constipation episodes. This laxative works by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools so kids can go comfortably.
*suitable for kids 4 to under 11
** relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours.
Dulcolax® Soft Chews
Dulcolax® Soft Chews provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for Dulcolax®Soft Chews.
* relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours
Dulcolax® Suppositories
Dulcolax® Suppositories are suitable for dependable, fast, and effective relief of occasional constipation. Dulcolax®Suppositories stimulate the bowel muscles while also accumulating water in the intestines. The effect is to soften the stool to make it pass through quickly.
Dulcolax® for Women
Dulcolax® for Women are suitable for dependable and gentle overnight relief of occasional constipation.
Dulcolax® Tablets
Dulcolax® Tablets are suitable for dependable and effective overnight relief of occasional constipation.
-
Dulcolax® Soft Chews Kids
Dulcolax® Soft Chews Kids help kids* to get fast and gentle constipation relief, so they can get back doing the things they love. This great-tasting chew works in as little as 30 minutes*, so parents can help their child with occasional constipation episodes. This laxative works by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools so kids can go comfortably.
*suitable for kids 4 to under 11
** relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours.
Dulcolax® Soft Chews
Dulcolax® Soft Chews provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for Dulcolax®Soft Chews.
* relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours
Dulcolax® Suppositories
Dulcolax® Suppositories are suitable for dependable, fast, and effective relief of occasional constipation. Dulcolax®Suppositories stimulate the bowel muscles while also accumulating water in the intestines. The effect is to soften the stool to make it pass through quickly.
-
Dulcolax® for Women
Dulcolax® for Women are suitable for dependable and gentle overnight relief of occasional constipation.
Dulcolax® Tablets
Dulcolax® Tablets are suitable for dependable and effective overnight relief of occasional constipation.
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Stay informed
Occasional constipation is a common condition with a wide range of possible causes. We know how unpredictable and frustrating constipation can be, so we are here to help identify the possible causes and teach you how to address them.
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What are daily habits that can cause occasional constipation ?
Everything is connected and we mean this literally: our body, mind and habits can greatly affect our digestive health. Your daily habits, from the foods you eat to your daily activity level and sleep schedule can affect your bowel movements and the result may be that you get constipated. Fear not, making simple changes to your lifestyle habits can be a helpful first step in preventing occasional constipation.
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How to avoid occasional constipation while traveling ?
It is common for constipation to occur when your life or daily routine changes. Traveling can sometimes trigger changes to your digestive system and as a result your bowel movements. Adapting to new circadian rhythms, new foods and new environments can trigger occasional constipation. Jet lag can also disrupt travelers for several days.
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How is constipation related to stress ?
Healthy mind, healthy body – isn’t that what they say ? The brain-gut connection is real: our digestive system is highly impacted by our mind and our stress levels. Whether you’re experiencing stress at work, at home, or in your daily life, it can all impact your bowel movements and lead to occasional constipation.
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How can getting older cause constipation ?
About one-third of adults 60 years or older report suffering from constipation. Unfortunately, with age sometimes comes slower digestion. The bowel muscles in the digestive tract need a bit more time to move food and stool through the intestines. The resulting constipation is a commonly reported bowel symptom in the elderly and has a considerable impact on quality of life. It is important to understand how age can change your body and how to adapt to help yourself feel better.
- KFL&A Public Health. Physical Changes During Your Pregnancy. Available at: https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/physical-changes-during-your-pregnancy.aspx
- Trottier M, Erebara A, Bozzo P. Treating constipation during pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2012 Aug;58(8):836-8
- Society for Endocrinology. You and Your hormones. Hormones of pregnancy and labour. March 2018. Available at: https://www.yourhormones.info/topical-issues/hormones-of-pregnancy-and-labour/
- Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. Understanding the Prevalence and Impact of Constipation in Canada A Special Report from the CDHF. February 2014