What Happens to Your Body During Pregnancy
Going to the bathroom could become more complicated
In addition to the fact you're probably logging more hours in the loo due to a full bladder, you may also notice that you have the opposite problem where bowel movements are concerned. Constipation is a common pregnancy problem because your fluctuating hormones slow the process of food through your digestive tract.
And constipation can lead to another unfortunate pregnancy side effect–hemorrhoids. "Constipation can cause hemorrhoids, or make them worse, by creating pressure and pushing blood into the veins," says Dr. Greenfield. There are a few things you can do to help prevent both constipation and hemorrhoids from occurring:
- Eat more high-fibre foods (wholegrain cereals, wholegrain bread, fresh fruits and vegetables).
- Drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day.
- Get more exercise–even walking will help.
- If you have hemorrhoids, avoid sitting or standing for long periods, take warm baths to relieve pain and itching, use medicated pads instead of toilet tissue and talk to your doctor about topical treatments.
Meet our expert:
Dr. Marjorie Greenfield is a practicing board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). She is currently associate professor on the full-time faculty at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Dr. Greenfield's writing career started in 2000, when she became director of obstetrics and gynecology for the Dr. Spock Company, a health and parenting multimedia enterprise. While working with the Dr. Spock team, she wrote Dr. Spock's Pregnancy Guide, published in 2003. Her new book, The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book, hit bookshelves in spring, 2008. Dr. Greenfield lives in the Cleveland area with her husband and their teenage son. www.marjoriegreenfield.com
