Having constipation can cause a lot of discomfort, and remedies are sought after FAST! I understand first hand how crippling constipation can be during and after pregnancy. In this article, I will share with you how to get relief from severe constipation during pregnancy.
What Causes Constipation During Pregnancy?
There are a host of causes for constipation during pregnancy. Hormones are a huge factor! Did you know one of the first signs of pregnancy may be constipation due to the sudden change in hormones in your body? Below are a list of other reasons why constipation may occur during pregnancy.
- lack of activity
- change of diet
- change in hormones
- prenatal supplements
- stress
- growing baby
Remedies For Constipation
When it comes to severe constipation during pregnancy, we want the fastest remedy! Below, I will share with you the best remedies for severe constipation. I will also share with you my personal story of what brought me the most relief when my constipation was affecting me daily.
Get Moving!
We know that a lack of physical activity can lead to constipation. When we move our bodies, it helps the bile in the gut get into motion. However, I totally understand if you are exhausted with being pregnant and just can’t seem to put forth more energy to exercise! I’ve been right there!
During the first trimester, the baby is growing the fastest. It is truly incredible! This is why we feel so tired all the time during those first three months. The best thing to do is listen to your body. If you truly feel too exhausted to exert any more physical activity, then rest and try another remedy for your constipation.
The good news is, eventually your energy level will kick back into gear and you’ll feel in a better place to consider moving your body more.
Below are the best prenatal exercise programs I can recommend. They are also diastasis recti friendly!
Every Mother is wonderful for mothers. They have prenatal, postnatal and everyday motherhood phases of workouts, and you can switch between them anytime.
This is an excellent way to relieve severe constipation during pregnancy!
Read my article to learn about other great workout programs for mothers!
Laxatives
One of the best remedies for severe constipation during pregnancy are laxatives! They work quickly and are often safe to take during pregnancy.
MiraLAX
Below I share my personal story of dealing with absolutely severe constipation during pregnancy. My OBGYN recommended MiraLAX, and I was thrilled with the results! I highly recommend this laxative to any mother needing relief.
Why We Love It
- #1 Doctor recommended
- Works with the water in your body to soften stool
- Is not harsh on your gut and does not cause other negative side effects that some other laxatives cause
- Is not absorbed by the body
- Safe during pregnancy
- Can take it every day if needed
Colace
With my second child, I decided to try a laxative that did not require anything I needed to drink. A friend recommended Colace to me. I loved that it was a small pill I could take once a day. No need to drink an entire glass of water! Although, that’s not bad to do for mothers who are breastfeeding.
It worked just as well, or possibly a little better, than MiraLAX. Now that I’ve tried the two, I definitely prefer one small pill over a powder.
Click the button below to learn more about Colace.
My Story
During my first pregnancy, I struggled with severe constipation! One day I was in our apartment by myself. All of a sudden I got light headed and the color in the room was changing to yellow. My heart rate and blood pressure dropped. I felt like I was going to pass out!
I laid on the couch and felt better after a few seconds. Then I realized I had to poop! “What the heck?!” I thought. “Is constipation causing me to feel like I’m going to pass out?!”
I contacted my mom, who is a nurse, and asked if constipation can make you feel like you’re gonna pass out. She said yes! The reason is because of the vagal nerve. It’s a nerve that controls the heart rate and blood pressure. Sometimes when you are constipated, this nerve can get triggered, which makes you feel like you’ll pass out!
So I talked to my OBGYN about this and asked for solutions. She recommended Merilax. “It is not absorbed by the body, so it is totally safe for you to take every day during pregnancy,” she told me.
As long as I took Merilax every day, I did not feel like I was going to pass out. What a relief this gave me!
I would highly recommend Merilax to any mother struggling with constipation.
After Baby #2
During my second pregnancy, and during the postpartum period, I still struggled with constipation. I didn’t mind MiraLAX, but a friend told me about Colace after I shared with her my struggle with constipation.
I decided to give it a try. I loved how simple, quick and easy it was compared to MiraLAX, that I stuck with it.
I will say, that after I weaned my baby, my hormone levels leveled out again and constipation is not a daily struggle for me anymore. Now I take one Colace pill when I need it.
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Other Remedies For Severe Constipation During Pregnancy
Other remedies for severe constipation during pregnancy would be to keep an eye on your diet. Be sure you are eating a diet rich in fiber. This includes the following foods:
- Leafy greens
- Beans
- Nuts
- Fruit
Also, be sure you are drinking plenty of water! Especially if you are taking MiraLAX to help bring relief. Since this laxative uses the water in the body to soften stool, be sure you are drinking plenty of water to aid this process.
Summary
I shared with you my personal story of struggling daily with constipation. For me, it was becoming dangerous – to the point where I might pass out every day!
I hope you found some helpful tips here. You now know some great remedies that will bring you relief from severe constipation during pregnancy!
No need to suffer, Mama! Here’s to taking your life back!
Leave A Comment Below!
If you found encouragement from this article, or would like to share your own story on how constipation has disrupted your life, share your story with us in the comments below!
Want To Learn More?
If you would like to learn more about diastasis recti, check out these other related articles below!
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