Constipation during pregnancy and after childbirth affects 40% of women

Childbirth puts the stomach and all its functions to work. According to a study by the University of Eastern Finland published on October 8, 2020 in theInternational Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, two thirds of women suffer from constipation during and after childbirth. Constipation is a common problem, most often resulting from a low fiber diet. This annoying phenomenon is accentuated with age.

Constipation varies depending on the type of childbirth

The Finnish study focused on the constipation and other gastrointestinal problems of a thousand women of childbearing age, during their second and third trimesters of pregnancy, as well as the period following childbirth. The control group was made up of 200 women who were not pregnant at the time of the experiment.

The results showed that 44% of the women had constipation problems in the second semester and 36% had them in the third trimester. The researchers also noticed that the type of childbirth varied constipation, since 47% of women who gave birth naturally were prone to this problem, compared to 57% for those who had a cesarean section. For comparison, constipation affected 21% of women who were not pregnant.

If the percentage may seem high, there is nothing strange in seeing pregnant women suffering from constipation. “Constipation during pregnancy is more common in women who have suffered from it before pregnancy, or during their possible previous pregnancy”, affirms Moona Kuronen, the author of the article. Other gastrointestinal issues commonly reported by expectant mothers include feelings of thirst and pressure, as well as flatulence.”

Lack of hydration and physical activity

In women, constipation problems are common before and just after childbirth. Doctors think that this intestinal complication would come from too much sedentary lifestyle and a lack of hydration. Additionally, damage to the pelvic muscles during vaginal delivery can cause bowel problems, as can surgical pain after a C-section. “The pain of the first few days after childbirth must be managed so that the new mother can move around as quickly as possible, whether the child was delivered vaginally or by Caesarean sectioninsists Moona Kuronen. Pain should not interfere with normal bowel movement, and analgesics used should slow bowel movement as little as possible.”

The practice of daily physical activity, a diet rich in fiber and good hydration are the keys to preventing constipation problems. Constipation is not a problem to be taken lightly, since in its severe form, it can lead to the risk of hemorrhoids, urinary and fecal incontinence and even cause pelvic organ prolapse.

Nevertheless, the researchers insist on the fact that the transit resumes its normal course quickly once the childbirth is over. One month after giving birth, mothers’ constipation problems are similar to those of women who are not pregnant.