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Remedies for Constipation
Many women experience constipation in pregnancy because of the slowing of the intestines and decreased room in the abdomen as the baby gets larger. Try to prevent constipation first; if you have it already, try one of the natural remedies before using over the counter medicines. As with anything, please check with your health care provider first.
Methods of preventing constipation:
- Eat more whole grains. Try to replace refined flour products (like donuts, cookies, cakes, etc) with items made with whole grains (like bran muffins, whole wheat bread, etc).
- Increase your liquid intake. Try drinking more water, fruit juices and herbal teas between meals.
- Decrease your intake of meat, especially salted meats like bacon, ham, deli meats, etc.
- Try to increase your exercise. Try walking, swimming, or whatever you are comfortable with every day.
Remedies for constipation:
- Take bran with lots of water.
- Drink prune juice or eat prunes. Other dried fruits, rhubarb, figs, and maple syrup also relieve constipation.
- Eat fresh greens. Amaranth, Lamb's Quarter, and Violet are especially recommended. Eat them cooked, or use them dried in an infusion.
- Eat molasses added to milk, cereal, or put on pancakes. Use one or two tablespoons per day, but discontinue after you feel relief since molasses is very high in calories.
- Eat yogurt or acidophilus. Either will stimulate the intestinal bacteria to break down food better. Eat at least one to two tablespoons of yogurt or one to two teaspoons of acidophilus, one to three times per day.
- Eat raw flaxseed. Grind raw flaxseed and add two tablespoons to water, juice, tea or cereal.
- If nothing else works, use Metamucil. Ask your healthcare provider, then use as directed.
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