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With all of the great wonders pregnancy will bring you, there are a few discomforts that mom-to-be might experience, morning sickness, baby’s arm stuck in places you didn’t know existed, and the all wonderful constipation. Just take comfort knowing you are not alone, half of the women experiencing pregnancy with you are experiencing constipation too.

Reported in the Obstetrics & Gynecology journal, a current study done by Dr. Catherine S. Bradley and colleagues, University of the Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City, constipation occurs in half of pregnant women at some point during their pregnancy.

From the first trimester, 103 pregnant women were followed through to their third trimester. Within the three trimesters the following occurred:

• 1^st trimester, 24% experienced constipation
• 2^nd trimester, 26% experienced constipation
• 3^rd trimester, 16% experienced constipation

Please read the complete article here.

If you experience constipation during your pregnancy and we now know there is a fifty fifty chance you will, there are some tips offered by the American Pregnancy Association on how you can help to treat or prevent constipation during your pregnancy. Please remember, these are only tips and you should consult your doctor for the best plan for you during pregnancy.

• Eat a high fiber diet
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Exercise routinely
• Over-the-counter remedies (Metamucil)
• Reduce or eliminate iron supplements, if possible.

Sources:
Constipation common in pregnancy, study confirms, Rueters Health
Pregnancy and Constipation, American Pregnancy Association

Tags: American Pregnancy Assocation, constipation, Dr. Catherine S. Bradley, Obstetics & Gynecology, pregnancy health, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics