5 Easy Home Remedies for Constipation in Pregnancy

Various reports have suggested that almost 38 percent of all women face constipation in pregnancy, including at least one sign of gastrointestinal problems during their pregnancy state.

But, the problem increases multi-fold when women choose to not talk about the same mainly because of cultural embarrassment or any other reason. If you are facing similar issues and do not want to use over-the-counter drugs anymore, then you've come to the correct place.

Let’s have a look at some of the proper home remedies that you can use to eliminate or at least reduce the impact of constipation during pregnancy.

Constipation in Pregnancy

What do you mean by constipation?

When talking about constipation meaning, it should be known that it's an uncomfortable condition where the human body produces less frequent bowel movements, and thus stools become very difficult to pass.

What are the symptoms of constipation during pregnancy?

The following are some of the primary constipation in pregnancy symptoms,

• Less than three bowel movements per week
• Dry & hard stools
• Bowel movements become painful
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the abdomen
• Gas & bloating

What are the home remedies for treating constipation during pregnancy?

The following are some of the best home remedies to act as pregnancy constipation foods,

1. Lemon water

Lemon is very useful in not only treating digestion but also assisting the human body in flushing out all the toxins. Besides, any undigested food will be flushed as well. Lemon can also stimulate your sense of smell and help you relieve constipation in pregnancy.

Ingredient:

• One lemon
• A glass of warm water

How to prepare:

• Simply squeeze the whole lemon into your glass of warm water, and stir it well.

How to consume:

• Just drink the mixture as you normally would drink lemonade.

How often:

• One to two times every day

2. Isabgol husks

Isabgol husks are one of the most popular home remedies for offering immediate constipation relief during pregnancy. These husks contain mucilage that helps in absorbing the fluids and adding to the stool.

Ingredient:

• Isabgol husks
• A glass of water

How to prepare:

• Pour some isabgol husks into your glass of water and let it sit for around two to three hours. 
• Allow the isabgol husks to soften up.

How to consume:

• Simply consume as a glass of water.

How often:

• Once per day

Read: Home Remedies for Fever during Breastfeeding

3. Edible coconut oil

In case you are not aware, coconut oil helps in constipation relief. It has fatty acids that offer energy to your body & intestine cells, boosting metabolism. As a result, the bowel movement is stimulated & the stool is softened.

Ingredient:

• Edible/virgin coconut oil

How to prepare:

• Simply take one teaspoon of edible coconut oil.

How to consume:

• Intake the coconut oil normally.

How often:

• Two times each day

4. Green tea

If you are seeking for constipation in pregnancy remedy, there is no better solution than green tea. Green tea contains caffeine, which acts as a mild laxative, thereby relieving constipation.

Ingredient:

• One cup of water
• One teaspoon of green tea leaves
• Honey

How to prepare:

• Pour the required cup of water into a saucepan or bowl and heat it. 
• Once it comes to a boil throw in the green tea leaves. 
• Allow the mixture to boil for another ten minutes. 
• Strain the mixture into a cup.

How to consume:

• Consume it as a cup of tea. 
• Add honey for more flavor.

How often:

• One to two times per day

5. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the fantastic pregnancy constipation remedies because of its acetic acid. Acetic acid helps in improving digestion, which in turn leads to no constipation.

Ingredient:

• One glass of warm water
• One tablespoon each of apple cider vinegar & honey

How to prepare:

• Simply mix the tablespoons of honey & apple cider vinegar into your glass of warm water. 
• Mix well.

How to consume:

• Consume the mixture normally.

How often:

• Two times every day

Read: Managing Pregnancy Anxiety - Techniques and Resources

When does constipation start in pregnancy?

Generally, symptoms of constipation in pregnancy start to show up when the mother is at least two to three months into her pregnancy period.

Very early signs of pregnancy 1 week

The following are some of the early signs of pregnancy (within one week),

• Onset of fatigue
• Missed periods
• Vomiting & nausea
• Breast enlargement
• Discharge of more urine

Why constipation in pregnancy?

The following are some of the primary causes for experiencing constipation in pregnancy,

During the early pregnancy stages, there will be a rigorous change in the body's hormones. Such a change in the body’s hormones will cause the intestines to slow down the bowel movement.

Such a process leads to the solidification of the stool, leading to constipation.

Apart from hormonal changes in the body, intake of prenatal vitamins also leads to constipation in early pregnancy, since they’re full of iron content. Intake of too much iron leads to constipation.

Since the uterus grows during pregnancy to accommodate the fetus, it puts pressure on the bowel, making it harder to remove the stool.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does ginger and garlic tea help constipation?

Ans: Yes. You can utilize garlic & ginger tea to combat constipation in pregnancy. This is because ginger helps your stomach to function properly, while garlic keeps the digestive system working seamlessly without any irritation or swelling.

2. Can scent leaf cause constipation?

Ans: No. In fact, scent leaves can be used as a natural remedy to cure constipation in pregnancy. It can also be used to cure various other stomach issues such as intestinal gas, spasms, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.

3. Why 3 months pregnant feeling sick at night bloated stomach constipation?

Ans: There can be multiple causes for the occurrence of bloated stomach, constipation during pregnancy, and feeling sick at night, especially when you are three months pregnant, such as:

• Change in diet & hormones
• Reduction in the water & food intake

4. Can taking peppermint sweet after eating chili chicken cause constipation?

Ans: No. There is no correlation when it comes to constipation pregnancy signs and eating peppermint sweets after consuming chili chicken. Thus, there's no reason that you should be worried about it.

In fact, the peppermint sweet will provide a cooling effect after eating hot chili chicken. 

5. Can I use the oregano plant by boiling it to cure constipation?

Ans: No. It is suggested by doctors to not use the oregano plant as a pregnancy constipation relief. This is because the oils from the plant can reach the baby and thereby cause miscarriage.

Opt for Safe and Effective Natural Remedies

At the end of the heyday, the best way to tackle constipation in pregnancy is using natural methods, like the ones we have mentioned above, rather than relying on medicines and such.

Natural remedies ensure that you do not experience any side effects and can enjoy your pregnancy period without any glaring problems.

Read: Natural Remedies for Heartburn When Pregnant That Actually Work