What some women find helpful for constipation
Constipation (or having difficulty in opening the bowels or 'passing motions'), is a common complaint, usually happening during the first and/or last 3 months of the pregnancy. Constipation is thought to happen because the hormone progesterone slows the movement (or 'motility') of the gut. The longer food stays in the intestines, the more water is reabsorbed from the bowel motions back into the body, making them harder to pass.
During late pregnancy, constipation can also be attributed to direct pressure on the intestines from the growing baby. This can also slow down the passage of food through the bowel. For some women, being constipated also contributes to causing 'piles' (or
haemorrhoids).