As your pregnancy progresses, you’ll notice changes in how your body gets rid of waste. Here’s how to tackle common toileting problems.
Frequent Urination
Your growing uterus places pressure on the bladder, especially when the baby moves into place before birth. In the final weeks of pregnancy, it’s common to leak a small amount of urine anytime you cough, sneeze or laugh too hard. Frequent urination almost always goes away following delivery.
To prevent leaks, do Kegel exercises: Squeeze the muscles around the vagina tightly (as though you were stopping the flow of urine midstream) for a few seconds, and then relax. Repeat 10 times. Do a set of Kegels at least five times a day.
Constipation
During pregnancy, your digestive system slows down and your expanding uterus displaces digestive organs. Both changes may contribute to constipation: bowel movements that are hard in consistency or painful. (Infrequent bowel movements are not unusual during pregnancy.)
Other constipation causes include irregular eating habits, environmental changes, stress, added dietary calcium and iron, some medications, too little exercise and not enough fiber and liquids.
To avoid constipation, follow these guidelines:
- Drink plenty of liquids, especially water — at least eight 8-ounce glasses daily. Drink one glass of water before going to bed.
- Get more exercise, especially walking, for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Eat high-fiber foods: raw or cooked fruits and vegetables, dried fruit (especially prunes), prune juice, bran (3 tablespoons daily), beans and whole-grain products such as whole-wheat bread, brown rice and oatmeal.
- Eat small, frequent meals and thoroughly chew your food.
If you need to take iron supplements, take them with prune juice. - Avoid using any type of laxative unless under the supervision of your healthcare provider.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectal area caused by pregnancy’s increased blood volume and additional weight. Hemorrhoids may itch or burn during bowel movements and sometimes bleed slightly.
To prevent or treat hemorrhoids:
- Stay regular by eating enough fiber and drinking plenty of water.
- Don’t sit on the toilet for long periods of time or strain while having bowel movements. Put your feet up on a low stool to reduce straining.
- Do Kegel exercises regularly.
- Avoid using a “doughnut” pillow, which decreases blood circulation.
- Try refrigerated witch hazel pads or an ice pack to soothe pain and itching.
- Take a 15- to 20-minute warm bath three or four times a day to relieve discomfort.
If these suggestions don’t work, check with your healthcare provider, especially before taking bulk-producing laxatives. Avoid hemorrhoid medicines that contain local anesthetics, which could be harmful to your unborn baby.
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