Constipation
Difficult, infrequent bowel movements affecting up to 40% of pregnant women throughout pregnancy, caused by hormones and iron supplements.
📅 When It\'s Most Common
Weeks 1-40 (can occur throughout entire pregnancy)
Trimesters Affected:
- •First trimester (begins)
- •Second trimester (continues)
- •Third trimester (may worsen)
Understanding This Symptom
Constipation is one of the most common and uncomfortable digestive issues during pregnancy. It can begin as early as the first trimester and persist throughout your entire pregnancy if not properly managed.
The condition ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain and can lead to hemorrhoids if you strain during bowel movements. Many women find that constipation also contributes to bloating, gas, and general abdominal discomfort.
Understanding the causes and implementing multiple relief strategies early in pregnancy can help prevent constipation from becoming a persistent problem that affects your quality of life.
🔍 What It Is
- ✓Fewer than three bowel movements per week
- ✓Hard, dry, lumpy stools that are difficult to pass
- ✓Straining during bowel movements
- ✓Feeling of incomplete evacuation after bowel movement
- ✓Bloating and abdominal discomfort
- ✓Stomach cramping and gas pain
🧬 Why It Happens During Pregnancy
- •Progesterone hormone relaxing intestinal muscles and slowing digestion
- •Iron in prenatal vitamins causing harder stools
- •Growing uterus putting pressure on intestines
- •Changes in diet or eating habits
- •Reduced physical activity or exercise
- •Not drinking enough water throughout the day
- •Ignoring the urge to have bowel movements
- •Stress and hormonal changes affecting digestion
💡 Relief Tips & Strategies
Try these evidence-based strategies to help manage and reduce symptoms:
- ✓Drink plenty of water - at least 8-10 glasses (64-80 oz) daily
- ✓Increase fiber intake gradually to 25-30 grams per day
- ✓Eat prunes or drink prune juice - natural laxative effect
- ✓Exercise daily, even just a 20-30 minute walk
- ✓Establish regular bathroom routine - don't ignore the urge to go
- ✓Take your time in bathroom - don't rush
- ✓Use a footstool to elevate feet while on toilet (better position)
- ✓Drink warm liquids, especially in the morning, to stimulate bowels
- ✓Try warm water with lemon first thing in the morning
- ✓Reduce processed foods and increase whole foods
💊 Safe Remedies & Treatments
These remedies are generally considered safe during pregnancy, but always consult your healthcare provider before trying new treatments or supplements:
- →High-fiber foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes
- →Prunes, figs, and other dried fruits (natural laxatives)
- →Chia seeds, flax seeds, or psyllium husk added to food or smoothies
- →Probiotics from yogurt, kefir, or supplements to support gut health
- →Magnesium supplements (consult doctor - also helps with leg cramps)
- →Stool softeners like Colace (docusate) - generally safe during pregnancy
- →Psyllium fiber supplements like Metamucil
- →Mild herbal teas (consult doctor about which are pregnancy-safe)
- →Switch to low-iron or slow-release prenatal vitamin if iron is the culprit
- →Over-the-counter remedies like MiraLAX (consult doctor first)
📞 When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:
- ⚠No bowel movement for more than 4-5 days
- ⚠Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- ⚠Nausea and vomiting with constipation
- ⚠Constipation alternating with diarrhea
- ⚠Blood in stool or rectal bleeding
- ⚠Severe hemorrhoids causing significant pain or bleeding
- ⚠Over-the-counter remedies not providing relief
- ⚠Constipation accompanied by back pain or fever
🚨 Serious Warning Signs
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these serious complications:
- ⚠️Bowel obstruction symptoms (severe pain, vomiting, no gas passing)
- ⚠️Signs of hemorrhoids becoming thrombosed (severely painful)
- ⚠️Rectal prolapse from excessive straining
- ⚠️Severe pain that could indicate other complications
💬 Real Experiences from Moms
Here\'s what other pregnant women have shared about managing this symptom:
"Prune juice became my morning ritual. Not the most glamorous part of pregnancy, but it worked! I drank a small glass every morning."
— Samantha R., Week 20
"Adding ground flax seeds to my yogurt and making sure I walked 30 minutes daily really helped. Also, drinking tons of water!"
— Lisa M., Week 25
"My doctor suggested Colace stool softeners and they were a game changer. Safe for pregnancy and made such a difference."
— Catherine L., Week 18
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is constipation dangerous during pregnancy?
While uncomfortable, constipation itself is not dangerous to you or your baby. However, chronic constipation can lead to hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and significant discomfort. Severe straining should be avoided. If constipation is accompanied by severe pain, bleeding, or persists despite home remedies, contact your healthcare provider.
Can I take laxatives during pregnancy?
Some laxatives are safe during pregnancy, but always consult your doctor first. Stool softeners like Colace (docusate) are generally considered safe. Bulk-forming laxatives like Metamucil are also typically safe. Avoid stimulant laxatives like Ex-Lax or castor oil unless specifically recommended by your healthcare provider, as they can cause cramping and potentially stimulate uterine contractions.
Should I stop taking iron if it causes constipation?
Don't stop taking your prenatal vitamins without consulting your doctor, as iron is crucial for preventing anemia during pregnancy. Instead, try taking your vitamin with food, drinking more water, increasing fiber intake, or ask your doctor about switching to a low-iron formula or slow-release iron supplement that may be easier on your digestive system.
How much fiber should I eat during pregnancy?
Aim for 25-30 grams of fiber per day. Increase fiber intake gradually to avoid gas and bloating. Good sources include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, and chia or flax seeds. Be sure to increase water intake as you increase fiber, as fiber needs water to work effectively.
Related Symptoms
Women experiencing this symptom often also experience:
Track All Your Symptoms
Use our interactive symptom checker to get personalized information about all your pregnancy symptoms.
Try Symptom Checker