How To Relieve Constipation During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most dramatic and wonderful transformations that the human body can go through, encompassing a range of physical and hormonal changes that make it possible to create new life. Unfortunately, an uncomfortable reality of these changes is a higher likelihood of experiencing stubborn stools and constipation – which, although not necessarily serious, can be uncomfortable and distressing at a time when you want to be as relaxed as possible.

Given that approximately 40%¹ of women experience constipation during pregnancy – and that, untreated, it can lead to more serious conditions such as haemorrhoids and anal fissures² – it’s important to have an understanding of the symptoms and causes of constipation during pregnancy, as well as an idea of what kinds of constipation relief for pregnant women are available.

Stubborn stools and constipation occur when poo remains in the digestive system for too long, losing moisture to the surrounding body so that it becomes dehydrated, hardened and more difficult to pass.

Meanwhile, the biological processes involved in pregnancy mean that there are several factors which may result in food moving more slowly through the intestines, increasing the likelihood of poo drying out to become a stubborn stool.

• Hormonal changes. A rise in progesterone levels can lead to the relaxation of muscles in the digestive system. This means that food will be moving less quickly through the intestines, losing moisture to the rest of your body.^3,4
• The uterus expands. During pregnancy, the uterus needs to get larger to make space for a foetus. As it does so, it can place additional pressure on the intestines, which again makes stools move more slowly through the digestive system.⁵
• A change in diet. Pregnant women may sometimes start eating differently, and any sudden change to diet has the potential to cause stubborn stools.
• Taking iron supplements during pregnancy can sometimes have the unwanted side-effect of constipation.⁵
• Less physical activity. Staying active is an important part of keeping your digestive system running smoothly by stimulating the muscles in your intestines. As a result, some pregnant women find that increased periods of inactivity make them more prone to constipation.
• Dehydration. Pregnant women need to consume enough water to sustain their baby and the transformation their body is going through; not drinking enough water during pregnancy leads to a higher chance of constipation.

During pregnancy, constipation makes itself known in the usual ways – bowel movements becoming less frequent, physical difficulty passing stools, or the sensation that you haven’t managed to completely finish emptying your bowels. As a result, you may also experience knock-on symptoms such as bloating or abdominal pain.

• Passing stools fewer than three times a week. Anything less than this suggests there is likely a stubborn stool, slowing down your digestive system after having become dehydrated and difficult to pass.⁶
• It gets more difficult to poo. You shouldn’t be having to strain when you go to the toilet. Straining is a sign of a stubborn stool, and should be addressed before it develops into constipation.
• Hard, lumpy poos. When your stool is dehydrated, it becomes harder and therefore more difficult to pass through your digestive system. This hardness can make it feel painful to go to the toilet.
• Difficulty ‘finishing’ bowel movements. A common sensation during constipation is the feeling that you haven’t been able to completely empty your bowels. That’s because that’s exactly what’s happening; the difficulty in moving stools along makes it harder to get everything out at once.
• Stomach discomfort or bloating. Stubborn stools and constipation can lead to an unpleasant feeling of ‘fullness’, caused either by poo backed up in your body or gas that is unable to escape.

When diagnosing constipation, healthcare professionals may ask questions about how often you go to the toilet, what kinds of food you’re eating, how much physical activity you’re doing, and whether you’re using any medications or supplements.

Most of the ways of managing, relieving and preventing constipation during pregnancy are as simple as keeping an eye on certain aspects of your lifestyle, and adjusting diet and activity levels where necessary. For example:

• Eat more fibre. This is especially important if you’re taking iron supplements, in which case you should increase your intake of high fibre foods such as fruits, wholegrains, vegetables and nuts. This helps bulk your stool with material that absorbs water, making it softer and easier to pass.⁷
• Drink plenty of water. Pregnant women are advised to drink 8 glasses of water each day, which helps keep poo hydrated and soft, and helps make bowel movements easier.⁸
• Keep active. Doing gentle exercises is a good way to ensure that your digestive system keeps working properly. Things like walking, swimming, prenatal yoga or aerobics classes are all great options for pregnant women.⁹

Sometimes, however, simple lifestyle changes aren’t quite enough to prevent or soften a stubborn stool. For those times, there is Movicol^® – a stool hydrator that is gently formulated so you can take it during pregnancy. Medicines can affect the unborn baby. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine in pregnancy.

Movicol^® contains an active ingredient called macrogol, which binds with water– drawing moisture into dry, stubborn stools so that they become hydrated, softer and easier to pass. You can read more about exactly how Movicol^® gets stubborn stools moving here. 

By taking Movicol^® when you recognise signs of a stubborn stool, pregnant women can help restore their body to its natural rhythms at a time during which relaxation and relief are very important.

Date of Prep: June 2024 | GL-GE-MOV-2400039

^[1] Garret Cullen, Diarmuid O’Donoghue, Constipation and pregnancy, Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology, Volume 21, Issue 5, 2007: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpg.2007.05.005.

^[2] Anal fissure. NHS. Page last updated 9 November 2021. Accessed here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anal-fissure/#:~:text=Anal%20fissures%20are%20most%20commonly,lining%20of%20the%20anal%20canal 

^[3] Cleveland Clinic – Progesterone – Last reviewed on 12/29/2022. Accessed from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24562-progesterone 

^[4] Cleveland Clinic – Pregnancy Constipation – Last reviewed on 10/19/2021. Accessed from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21895-pregnancy-constipation 

^[5] Cleveland Clinic – Pregnancy Constipation – Last reviewed on 10/19/2021. Accessed from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21895-pregnancy-constipation

^[6] Mayo Clinic – Constipation – Last reviewed on 10/20/2023. Accessed from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354253 

^[7] Cleveland Clinic – Pregnancy Constipation – Last reviewed on 10/19/2021. Accessed from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21895-pregnancy-constipation

^[8] Healthline – 5 Safe Remedies for Constipation in Pregnancy – Last Reviewed on 03/13/2023. Accessed from: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/constipation-remedies#2 

^[9] Exercise in pregnancy. NHS. Page last updated 15 March 2023. Accessed here: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/exercise/ 

^[10] Probiotics and gut health. BDA. Page last updated July 2022. Accessed here: https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/probiotics.html 

^[11] Schiller LR, Emmett M, Santa Ana CA, Fordtran JS. Osmotic effects of polyethylene glycol. Gastroenterology, 1988; 94: 933-941.