Why does a woman experience constipation during and after pregnancy?

Usually, a woman cannot easily pass stools after delivering a baby for nearly two days. But, later on some women experience constipation after pregnancy. They experience this problem due increased levels of progesterone in the body. The woman can borne the baby in the womb for nearly 9 months. Due to increased size of uterus, it pressurizes the intestinal region. So, a person later on experiences constipation.

How does a woman experience constipation during pregnancy?

Usually, the women who have delivered the baby experience bowel movements for nearly three days. So, a woman begins to experience dehydration. A nurse usually prescribes iron supplements if the women are anemic. Some of the women experience pain due to this problem and hence they should consume ibuprofen, fast-acting narcotics and codeine. These medications are recommended for women who have undergone C-section delivery.

Women with C-section delivery with constipation problem?

Usually, women who have undergone C-section delivery usually experience post pregnancy constipation for a long time than the women who have undergone normal delivery. When the abdomen is opened, then the bowel does not operate for nearly 24 hours. So, due to its non-functioning for a short period, they do not get easily emptied as explained by the Sunnybrook Health Science. Such women should drink plenty of water per day. They should at least drink eight glasses per day. Apart from water, they can also drink prune juice and should not eat processed food. If a woman is not able to pass stools even after eight days, then she is provided with the stools softener or a laxative. But, these remedies are not safer. Some of the medical experts state that a woman should apply pressure to the perineum area. It is the area between the anus and the vagina with gauze or a clean cloth. They can press a pillow gently against the C-section incision. So, they can feel comfortable. They should take sitz bath for two to three days. So, the woman can keep the perineum area clean and it heals quickly.

Constipation during pregnancy

Some women experience constipation even during their pregnancy. Sometimes during pregnancy, a woman experiences abdominal discomfort or stomach pain. The womb is becoming larger and hence the surrounding areas are compressed. So, due to abdominal discomfort, a woman experiences constipation or infrequent bowel movements.

The factors that cause constipation during pregnancy are low-fiber diet, lack of physical exercise, or due to mental stress also. The hormones are relaxed in the intestinal muscles and they reach out to the intestines. A woman may experience constipation due to iron tablets also. If a woman is using iron supplements, then she should drink plenty of water. A woman should preferably plenty of fiber food along with plenty of fluids. They should drink 10 to 12 glasses of fluids every day. So, this helps in eliminating the germs from the body. Along with healthy food, a person should also perform exercises. Some of the activities such as swimming, walking or other exercises can help a person to stay healthy. Some of the medications such as Metamucil help in easing the bowel movements. But a woman should not use laxative pills because they stimulate uterine contractions.