I am 18 weeks pregnant with my first baby, and have found myself to be a little constipated. When I did manage to go I had to strain quite a lot. Would this have harmed my baby?
Can Constipation Hurt My Unborn Baby?
15 Responses to Can Constipation Hurt My Unborn Baby?
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Nope. Just take a stool softener to help you go easier because hemmroids are very common in pregnancy.
God, I hated constipation with my first!!! I really fell for you, it makes you just as uncomfortable as any other preg symptom!!(I havent had it this time around!!) I will tell you what I found helpful, I just used to have half a glass of pure apple jusice twice a day, and it meant at least I could go some, and it was a natural help too!!
No it won’t hurt the baby. Drink loads and loads of water to help.
If it’s any consolation, constipation is a common problem during pregnancy. One culprit is an increase in the hormone progesterone, which slows the movement of food through your digestive tract. And the problem may be compounded later in pregnancy by the pressure of your growing uterus on your rectum. Iron supplements can make constipation worse.
Here are some tips for preventing and easing constipation:
• Eat high-fiber foods such as cereals, whole-grain breads, and fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Add a couple of tablespoons of unprocessed wheat bran (available at health food stores) to your cereal in the morning and follow it with a glass of water.
• Drink plenty of water — at least six to eight glasses a day. A glass of fruit juice every day, especially prune juice, can also be helpful.
• Exercise regularly. Walking, swimming, riding on a stationary bike, and yoga can all help ease constipation and leave you feeling more fit and healthy.
• Listen to your body. Never put off going to the bathroom when you feel the urge.
• Ask your healthcare provider about taking an over-the-counter fiber supplement or switching to an iron supplement with less iron.
Is constipation ever serious?
Not usually, though occasionally it can be a symptom of another problem. If you have severe constipation that’s accompanied by abdominal pain, alternates with diarrhea, or you pass mucus or blood, call your doctor or midwife immediately.
Also, straining during a bowel movement or passing a hard stool can lead to or worsen hemorrhoids, swollen veins in the rectal area. Hemorrhoids can be extremely uncomfortable, though they rarely cause serious problems and in most cases they go away fairly soon after your baby is born. However, if the pain is severe or you have rectal bleeding, call your caregiver so you can be evaluated.
Its quite common to get constipation during pregnancy, have a word with your midwife or GP im sure they will be of help. It wont have any effect on your baby, there is a senna drink you can purchase and its the only one really you can buy over the counter when your pregnant. I only know this because i had to go get some for a girl who i work with, she is having the same problem. Good luck love hope all goes well with the baby xx
Nope. Just be careful for hemroids. Try Colace – a stool softener. Its safe to take while pregnant and was the only that worked for me!
No hun not at all….your baby is quite protected. Constipation comes with the territory.
It might hurt you, people have had heart attacks from straining them selves too much from severe constipation.
I mean I wouldn’t strain so hard that it hurts YOU, then it might be a little harmful for your baby, but I wouldn’t see where it would harm your baby… I had this problem too throughout my pregnancy… just call your doctor and ask to speak to a nurse, then just ask the nurse what you can take… because if you stay constipated for a while you will eventually become miserable… you should go ahead and take something for it now to make you feel better.
hi no it wont harm your baby but to help next time my midwife told me to drink plenty of water and fruit juice plus eat more fruit abnd veg it working for me now lol good luck xxxx
No not the baby but if you are not careful you can get hemrroids and those will hurt you..ekkkk
No, the baby will be fine.
No, Not at all. You should tell your Dr. to prescribr you the prenatal vitamins with softner. This will help you a lot. And you will not suffer more constipation.
Good Luck
I have the worst constipation EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I take EVERYTHING you can think of but sool softer do work work for it to come out without pushing REALLY HARD. Trust me when I say it’s OK to take and it works pretty good try it.
no – theres no way it can harm the baby so please don`t worry.
try to increase your fluids, and fruit juices- also Lactulose is perfectly safe in pregnancy.
Constipation is very common in pregnancy as the movement of the gut slows right down so you can absorb every last vitamin for a healthy baby.
If it seems troublesome please see your doc for something
x