Constipation is a common condition in pregnant women. It affects up to two out of every five pregnant women and mostly occurs during early pregnancy.1,2,3
Constipation occurs during pregnancy because during this time the body produces more of the female hormone progesterone, which acts as a muscle relaxant, making it more difficult for the bowel muscles to contract and thus harder to move faeces along.3
It is important to note that constipation negatively affects patients’ daily lives and is second only to nausea as the most common gastrointestinal complaint in pregnancy.4
Many patients find relief from constipation with an increase in dietary fibre and fluids, as well as daily exercise. Probiotics that alter the colonic flora might also improve bowel function. If these are ineffective, laxatives adapted for pregnant women are the second line of therapy.4
References:
1: Mayo Clinic Constipation. Constipation. Overview. [Internet]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354253. (Accessed October 2018).
2: South African Gastroenterology Society (SAGES) Constipation. [Internet]. Available from: https://www.sages.co.za/patients/constipation (Accessed October 2018).
3: NHS inform. Constipation. [Internet]. Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/constipation (Accessed October 2018).
4: Trottier M, Erebara A, Bozzo P. Treating constipation during pregnancy. Can Fam Phys. 2012;58:836-838.