Health Magazine March/April 2016 | Page 28

HOW TO DEAL WITH CONSTIPATION IN PREGNANCY A CAUSE FOR WORRY THOUGH PREGNANCY IS A WONDERFUL TIME IN LIFE, ONE OF THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINTS MANY WOMEN FACE IS CONSTIPATION. HEALTH FINDS OUT HOW WOMEN CAN DEAL WITH THIS PESKY PROBLEM. REASONS According to studies, nearly three out of four pregnant women will experience constipation and other bowel issues at some point. During pregnancy, the hormone progesterone increases which triggers your body’s muscles to relax, including the intestinal muscles. As the intestines slow down so does digestion which leads to constipation. Also in the latter part of pregnancy, the growing weight of the baby in the womb, along with the undesirable effects of iron preparations mean this problem can be compounded. Basically, when you are pregnant, not only does your body experience many changes but your habits change too. You may eat different things or you may be taking supplements recommended by your doctor. These are all contributing factors. Mar/Apr 2016 26 IS CONSTIPATION A REASON TO WORRY? WHILE EXPERTS SAY NOT REALLY, HOWEVER IT CAN BE A SYMPTOM OF ANOTHER PROBLEM. IF YOU HAVE SEVERE CONSTIPATION THAT IS ACCOMPANIED BY ABDOMINAL PAIN, ALTERNATES WITH DIARRHEA, OR YOU PASS MUCUS OR BLOOD, CALL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ADDITIONALLY, STRAINING DURING A BOWEL MOVEMENT OR PASSING A HARD STOOL CAN LEAD TO OR WORSEN HEMORRHOIDS, WHICH ARE SWOLLEN VEINS IN THE RECTAL AREA. IN THE CASE WHERE THE PAIN IS SEVERE OR YOU HAVE RECTAL BLEEDING, CALL YOUR CAREGIVER SO YOU CAN BE EVALUATED.