What is good for constipation during pregnancy?

Constipation means stools are hard, difficult to pass, or less frequent than is normal for you. Pregnancy hormones can slow movement through the bowel. The growing uterus may also put pressure on the bowel, while nausea, changes in eating, reduced activity, iron supplements or medicines for nausea can add to the problem.

Straining can make passing stool uncomfortable, but constipation itself does not usually harm the baby. Tell your maternity team if it persists, interferes with eating or drinking, or began after a new supplement or medicine. They can check whether the product, dose or timing should change.

Sip fluids regularly through the day, unless your clinician has told you to restrict them. Add fibre slowly from vegetables, fruit, beans, oats, whole-grain foods and nuts; increasing it suddenly may cause bloating. A short walk or other pregnancy-appropriate movement can encourage bowel activity.

Respond to the urge to go, allow enough time, and try placing your feet on a low stool so your knees are slightly higher than your hips. Do not start herbal remedies, mineral oils, enemas or laxatives without checking first. A pharmacist, obstetric clinician or GP can recommend an option suitable for your pregnancy and review whether iron treatment is contributing.

If food changes are difficult because of nausea, a nutrition counsellor can help you build a fibre-containing plan that fits your symptoms and stage of pregnancy.

Contact your maternity team or GP promptly for severe or worsening abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, a swollen abdomen, inability to pass wind, blood mixed into the stool, or black stool. Seek urgent care if constipation occurs with fainting, marked weakness, or signs of dehydration such as very dark urine and difficulty keeping fluids down.

Arrange a review if symptoms do not settle with self-care, keep returning, or you need a laxative repeatedly. Another bowel condition, dehydration, an underactive thyroid or a medicine effect may need assessment; persistent constipation should not be self-treated indefinitely.

Ask which fibre and fluid changes fit your pregnancy, whether your iron supplement could be adjusted, and which stool-softening or laxative option is appropriate. Mention how long symptoms have lasted, whether you can pass wind, any pain or bleeding, and every prescription, supplement and remedy you use.