{"id":1941,"date":"2023-09-21T10:02:19","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T10:02:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/colonbroom.com\/blog\/?p=1941"},"modified":"2026-09-09T07:40:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T07:40:54","slug":"safe-constipation-remedies-during-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/colonbroom.com\/blog\/safe-constipation-remedies-during-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Constipation During Pregnancy: Why It Happens and How to Get Things Moving Safely"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nobody expects constipation on the list of pregnancy milestones. But for a lot of people, it shows up right next to the nausea and sleepiness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Constipation is one of the most common complaints in all the nine months of pregnancy. The Canadian Family Physician found it affects somewhere between <\/span>11% and 38%<\/span><\/a> of pregnancies. Thankfully, most cases can be fixed with simple changes.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll cover all you need to know about pregnancy constipation in this guide, including why it happens, how to get quick relief, what’s safe to take, and when you should call your OB-GYN or midwife.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Is Constipation a Sign of Pregnancy?<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Not really. Constipation has plenty of causes that have nothing to do with pregnancy. Maybe you’re not eating enough fiber. Maybe you started a new medication. Being constipated doesn’t mean you’re pregnant. If you want a real answer, take a test.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Early Pregnancy Poop: Pooping a Lot During Pregnancy First Trimester<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Some people get constipated right away, while others poop a lot in the first trimester. Both are totally normal.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’ve typed “do you poop a lot when pregnant” into Google before, you’re not alone. Pregnancy can make you poop more. Your bowels can lossen up from new prenatal vitamins, a sudden diet change (all those vegetables you suddenly feel guilty not eating), and changing hormones. People often change their diet after a positive test, and that alone can cause early diarrhea. So your bathroom habits can swing either way in early pregnancy, and neither one is something to panic about.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>When Does Pregnancy Constipation Start? 1st Trimester and Beyond<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Usually not on day one. <\/span>Cleveland Clinic OB-GYN Dr. Stacie Jhaveri<\/span><\/a> says pregnancy constipation usually doesn’t show up until month two or three, once progesterone rises enough to slow your gut down, and you’ve started taking iron in your prenatal vitamins. So while pregancy constipation usually starts in the first trimester, but rarely in the first few weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

It tends to creep in slowly as hormone levels climb. It stops for some people in the second trimester once the nausea calms down enough for them to eat and drink like normal again. Others just keep dealing with it.<\/span><\/p>\n

And when does constipation stop in pregnancy? Often not until after the baby is born. Your growing uterus keeps pushing on your bowel, you’re probably still taking iron, and progesterone stays high right up to delivery. Things usually calm down a few weeks after birth. If they don’t, bring it up at your postpartum checkup.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Why You Get Constipated During Pregnancy<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\"Constipation\n

Being pregnant and constipated is just biology and a few things working against you at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n