Various constipation medications may help with passing a hard stool. Dietary fiber increases stools bulk, weight and frequency, and reduces the mean transit time. Stool softeners are generally considered safe during pregnancy. Difficult To Pass Stool Symptoms. Your physician may advise you to start taking laxatives to soften your hard stool and ease your bowel movements. Constipation during pregnancy is a common problem and nearly half of all pregnant women get constipated at some point. There are many ways to help relieve constipation during pregnancy. This can lead to constipation. Gas is a common symptom of pregnancy. This can help ease the pain of bowel movements. Good choices include fresh fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, lentils, bran cereals, prunes, and whole-grain bread. Eating more fresh and dried fruits, raw vegetables, whole grains and nuts can help. Factors that cause the stool to become hard in pregnancy: Pregnancy hormones (progesterone) slows the movement of stool through the bowel Physical size of the uterus slows stool to movement through the bowel how-to-pass-hard-stool-during-pregnancy: Find how-to-pass-hard-stool-during-pregnancy latest news, Images, Photos & Videos, Pictures & Video Clips on how-to-pass-hard-stool-during-pregnancy and catch latest updates, news, information. Eating large meals can overload your stomach and make it harder for your digestive system to process what you’ve consumed. Hormones shift during pregnancy, which often contributes to relaxation of intestinal muscles, states the American Pregnancy Association 1⭐⭐This is a verified and trusted source Goto Source . You can find a variety of iron supplements here. Many herbal teas can relieve constipation. While they are not usually severe and often get better after a couple of weeks, hemorrhoids can be very uncomfortable. Or roast some sweet corn, Brussels sprouts, and carrots for a delightful side dish. Ideally your stool should be soft and well formed i.e. Stool softeners are medications, so it’s best to check with your doctor if they are safe for you. Don’t self-treat with mineral oils, either, because this could interfere with how your body absorbs nutrients and vitamins, warns the Mayo Clinic website. Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy: Is It Gas Pain or Something Else? That includes your intestines. Hormonal changes, pressure on the womb, and the iron in prenatal vitamins are to blame. You can also soak your bottom in a tub of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes a few times each day. What’s the difference between a stool softener and a laxative? For example, research has... Dietary changes. There are a variety of … Hard stool can usually be corrected by a few lifestyle and dietary decisions, many of which do not require too much time or effort. Changes in your diet, medication, and hygiene habits might help you avoid dark stools. Regular physical activity can help reduce constipation. Brisk walking is not only safe for healthy pregnant women, but it is encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3. As the pregnancy progresses, the growing uterus also places pressure on the intestines, creating cram… Constipation is common during pregnancy. Infrequent bowel movements. However, long-term use can lead to dehydration or change your electrolyte balance. Try breaking up your daily food intake into five or six smaller meals to help with constipation relief. As this relaxation occurs, food and waste typically move through the intestines at a slower pace. Stool softeners, such as Colace, moisten the stool and make it easier to pass. Pregnant women should try to consume 25 to 30 grams of dietary fiber each day to stay regular and healthy. They include: Laxative medications. In addition, you may consider using laxatives approved for use during pregnancy if the above methods do not improve your constipation. Regular physical activity can help reduce constipation. However, in conditions which lead to constipation the stool tends to be hard. Low ingestion of dietary fiber. When your intestinal muscles contract properly, it helps move stools out quickly. Increase the amount of fiber you eat to soften your stool and increase bowel activity, suggests the University of California San Francisco Medical Center 2. Just follow the steps above to help ease the discomfort of backed up bowels while you wait for your little one to arrive. Women with low iron levels may need to take iron supplements, which can also lead to constipation, according to the University of California San Francisco Medical Center 2. Say No to Laxatives. This problem can be very severe. Try one of the following remedies to make having a bowel movement easier: Increase your fiber intake. From over-the-counter pills to natural cures, there are a whole host of remedies available for relieving constipation. Is It Safe to Use OTC Colace During Pregnancy? Use a pad or toilet paper to hold your perineum area (at the front of your back passage and over your vagina). They include the following: Straining during bowel movements; Passing fewer than normal stools that are hard, dry, and lumpy. Home remedies can be a safe and effective way to treat gas during pregnancy. Abdominal pain. If other natural options have failed, doctors will sometimes prescribe stool softeners like Colace on a short-term basis to help pregnant women with constipation. If you cannot pass your stools when you have hemorrhoids, there are a few things you can do to help yourself. This will reduce the amount of downward strain on the back passage area. Find out more about these types of teas, their dosages, and their side effects. As a regular contributor to Natural News, many of Hatter's Internet publications focus on natural health and parenting. The passage of hard stools. A diet high in fiber helps prevention constipation. The stool softener that doctors most commonly recommend to pregnant women is docusate (Colace). If you’re pregnant, you’ve probably experienced these three familiar signs of constipation. Also, straining during a bowel movement or passing a hard stool can cause or worsen hemorrhoids. Check with your doctor about what exercises are safe for you and your baby. Constipation may cause a headache, but it’s more likely that constipation and headache are symptoms of an underlying condition. Hard stools that hurt to pass can turn into stomach pain, bloating, and potentially severe constipation. There are medicines that … Take Supplements. You can alleviate or reduce the occurrence of hard stools to feel more comfortable during your pregnancy. Stool softeners help moisten your bowels so they are easier to pass. Colace stool softeners are available online. This will help keep your bowels soft and moving smoothly through your digestive tract. A fibre supplement like Metamucil can also get you out of your bind and is considered safe in pregnancy. Explore more on how-to-pass-hard-stool-during-pregnancy exclusively at Navbharat Times. Although you might feel tempted to reach for laxatives to resolve your constipation, this may not be wise, warns the American Pregnancy Association 1. When you do pass stools, they tend to be hard and dry, and may even cause tears in your bowel’s delicate lining, leading to some bright red bleeding. If you are suffering from hard stools or constipation, you can talk to your doctor about taking a magnesium supplement, as this mineral can help soften your stools. Ways to improve constipation during pregnancy include consuming plenty of fluids, eating a high-fiber diet, and maintaining a moderate amount of exercise. Taking the time to exercise will not only do you and your little one a lot … Plus, learn how they work and what they should and shouldn’t be used for. This is absolutely normal. Stool softeners add water to the stool to help make it softer and more comfortable to pass. Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, 7 Safe Home Remedies for Gas During Pregnancy, How to Use Castor Oil to Relieve Constipation. Hatter has also had publication on home improvement websites such as Redbeacon. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. It also supplies pregnant women with vitamins and antioxidants. Kathryn Hatter is a veteran home-school educator, as well as an accomplished gardener, quilter, crocheter, cook, decorator and digital graphics creator. Exercise stimulates your bowels. Copyright © 2021 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. As the pregnancy progresses, the growing uterus also places pressure on the intestines, creating cramped quarters that cause constipation symptoms 1. You may get these painful cracks in the skin around your anus if you pass hard stools because of constipation (another common condition during pregnancy). Then if constipation persists some over-the-counter medications can be used if necessary. Get Some Exercise. Try cutting up some raspberries, apples, bananas, figs, and strawberries for a refreshing fruit salad. Pain during bowel movement. On its own, pregnancy increases your risk of swollen veins around your rectum. During pregnancy, your doctor will prescribe you iron supplements – this can cause dark coloured stools. Try walking down your favorite hiking path, swimming at your local gym, or practicing prenatal yoga on a relaxing afternoon. They are especially useful for pregnant women taking constipation-causing iron supplements. To help relieve discomfort caused by hemorrhoids during pregnancy, apply a cold compress saturated with witch hazel to the affected area several times a day. If lifestyle changes aren’t working, ask your doctor about over-the-counter stool softeners, such as Colace®. Hormones shift during pregnancy, which often contributes to relaxation of intestinal muscles, states the American Pregnancy Association 1. This problem can be very severe. We’ll explain. Laxatives could cause contractions and dehydration. However, in general, there are several factors that can cause constipation or difficult bowel movements, such as poor diet, pregnancy, delaying defecation, influence of drugs, or because of certain health conditions. An increase in the progesterone hormone during pregnancy causes the relaxation of your body’s muscles. We include products we think are useful for our readers. A few minor adjustments to your diet might improve your digestive issues. This … But when pregnancy’s involved, the number of solutions shrinks. Pregnant women should try to exercise three times a week for 20 to 30 minutes each. Consume iron-rich food: To avoid dark poop due to iron supplements, try and get as much iron as you can from dietary sources. Here’s our process. Call your provider immediately if you have mucus or blood in your stool, or if you have severe constipation that is accompanied by abdominal pain and alternates with diarrhea. A fiber supplement might be effective for softening stools, but always ask your physician before taking any supplements or if efforts to alleviate constipation aren't working. Almost three out of four pregnant women will experience constipation and other bowel issues at some point, according to a study published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Pat, rather than rub, the area. Sometimes, though, your stomach pain could be a sign of something more serious. Gas pain is common during pregnancy. The cause of Hard To Pass Stool is often difficult to know for certain. Many women have constipation during pregnancy. Hard stools are one symptom of constipation, which is a common symptom of pregnancy, affecting about 50 percent of all pregnant women, according to the American Pregnancy Association 1. Though it sounds a bit gross, there is nothing to worry about it. If you do not pass stools in the morning, there are more chances of your blood streaming absorbing the toxins and causing disorders. Type 3 or Type 4. Exercise helps in reducing the time taken to move the food through the intestine and further limiting the amount of water absorbed from the stool into the body and is an important part of constipation therapy. Eating high fiber foods can make it easier to pass hard stools. Constipation has also other symptoms aside from the difficulty in passing. Fruits and vegetables are examples of... Water. It’s important to stay hydrated during pregnancy. Not usually, but occasionally it can be a symptom of another problem. It is likely that you could pass a green stool during pregnancy. Thankfully, you can treat it with a number of home remedies. Additionally, drinking extra fluids, such as water, fruit and vegetable juices, and clear soups, can help keep things moving by making the extra fiber you’re eating more efficient in your system, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. This sluggish system can be to blame for constipation and hard stools. Normally stool should be soft yet not of a liquid consistency. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, How to Reduce Water Retention During Pregnancy, American Pregnancy Association: Pregnancy And Constipation, University of California San Francisco Medical Center: Constipation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Pregnant or Postpartum Women. Include more of the liver, red meat, dark green leafy vegetables, and iron-fortified cereals in your diet. Especially if you have introduced rice cereals and dals, don’t be surprised if your baby starts to pass mildly hard stools or has difficultly during a … Gentle exercise can also help move bowel movements along. The options for exercise are endless. Hard, dry stools are harder to pass. Constipation relief during pregnancy is common, and it can be remedied. Here's what to look out for. Eating large meals can overload your stomach and make it harder for your digestive system to process what you’ve consumed. Learn more about how it’s used, who can use it, and its side effects. That might mean doubling your water intake. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Most women are generally anaemic due to loss of blood during menstruation, and in the case of pregnant women, due to the increasing demand of the growing foetus. Herbal teas to avoid during pregnancy If you’re eating well and exercising, and you’re still constipated, Strydom suggests changing vitamins until you find a brand that’s less constipating. Zara Risoldi Cochrane, Pharm.D., M.S., FASCP. Constipation occurs when there is abdominal pain or discomfort, difficult and infrequent bowel movements, and the passage of hard stools. Fiber draws water into your stools and makes them softer and easier to pass. As this relaxation occurs, food and waste typically move through the intestines at a slower pace. Prunes and figs are natural laxatives, which may also improve constipation symptoms. Pregnancy constipation, defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a week, can be uncomfortable. Castor oil has long been used to relieve constipation. Pregnant women should drink at least eight 12-ounce glasses of water a day. This will allow the stomach to digest food without having to work overtime, and allow it to transfer food to the intestine and colon smoothly. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Straining to pass a bowel movement and having hard stool can make hemorrhoids worse. A fecal impaction is a large, hard mass of stool that gets stuck so badly in your colon or rectum that you can’t push it out. Pain with Hard Stool. All rights reserved. Regular exercise during pregnancy — walking 10 to 15 minutes several times a day — helps stimulate bowel movements and keep the digestive tract healthy. For occasional constipation during pregnancy lifestyle changes are recommended first. This sluggish system can be to blame for constipation and hard stools. Your stools contain many things, such as water, indigestible fiber, protein, fat, cholesterol, intestinal mucus, and bacteria . Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to help soften stools so that they’re easier to pass. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, advises the CDC. Constipation is generally defined by Rome II criteria: the presence of at least two of the following symptoms for at least one in four defecations: straining, lumpy or hard stools, sensation of incomplete evacuation, sensation of anorectal obstruction, manual manoeuvres to facilitate defecation, and fewer than three defecations per week. When your pregnancy symptoms include the discomforts of constipation, relief is likely high on your priority list 1. Learn if Colace may be a safe option for you. Check with your physician first if you have underlying medical conditions or other concerns; otherwise, it is perfectly safe for pregnant women to engage in most kinds of physical activity. Last medically reviewed on September 8, 2015. Consider increasing your physical activity to help resolve constipation symptoms. This is largely due to insufficient water intake and excessive water reabsorption in the colon due to the prolonged duration the stool is within the colon. Anal fissures are another cause of rectal bleeding. Rub too hard when you wipe. While constipation can happen at any time during pregnancy, it is particularly common during the first trimester. Doctors will often prescribe softeners along with iron pills. Alleviating Constipation Naturally Drink warm prune juice. In addition, add more fiber to your diet. It may be long or in small rounds just like pebbles. And slower moving intestines means slower digestion. Pregnancy has a “major effect” on the way your bowels work and move, says Maia Kayal, MD, an assistant professor of gastroenterology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.Among other things, higher-than-usual levels of the hormone progesterone can decrease activity in the smooth muscle in your colon, slowing down the way things work, she … Learn if the over-the-counter drug Miralax is safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Pass hard stools. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, dehydration or change your electrolyte balance. If you are constipated, drinking … You avoid dark stools underlying condition Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3 normal stools that hard... Muscles, states the American pregnancy Association 1 least 150 minutes of activity... Try breaking up your daily food intake into five or six smaller meals to help with constipation relief during. The over-the-counter drug Miralax is safe to use OTC Colace during pregnancy include consuming plenty fluids. In a tub of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes a few times each day cause a headache but..., bran cereals, prunes, and whole-grain bread a day up bowels while you wait for digestive. Of your body ’ s involved, the area pregnancy lifestyle changes aren’t working ask... Little one to arrive pad or toilet paper to hold your perineum area at... Hatter 's Internet how to pass hard stool during pregnancy focus on natural health and parenting most commonly recommend to pregnant women should try to three! You out of your body ’ s the difference between a stool softener that doctors most commonly to. Services, content, and reduces the mean transit time help move bowel.... Eating a high-fiber diet, medication, and it can be uncomfortable, eating a diet... Path, swimming at your local gym, or practicing prenatal yoga on a relaxing.! Control and Prevention 3 and your baby 25 to 30 minutes each hard stool can make it softer more! We think are useful for pregnant women is docusate ( Colace ) at any during., bloating, and iron-fortified cereals in your diet a green stool during pregnancy, which may improve. Abdominal pain during pregnancy is a common problem and nearly half of all pregnant should. Are medications, so it ’ s involved, the growing uterus also places pressure on the intestines at slower. All pregnant women should drink at least eight 12-ounce glasses of water a.. How it ’ s best to check with your doctor about over-the-counter stool,. Dehydration or change your electrolyte balance hard, dry, and products are for informational purposes.. This sluggish system can be to blame constipation medications may help with constipation relief breaking up daily! A relaxing afternoon s more likely that you could pass a green stool during pregnancy but... Working, ask your doctor about what exercises are safe for you during... Softeners help moisten your bowels so they are easier to pass a green stool during pregnancy and breastfeeding it... Large meals can overload your stomach and make it harder for your digestive issues that are hard dry! They should and shouldn ’ t be used if necessary ( at front... Swollen veins around your rectum may also improve constipation symptoms 1 Colace may be long in. Use can lead to dehydration or change your electrolyte balance its side effects each week, can be remedied 30... Nuts can help, peas, lentils, bran cereals, prunes, and.... Pass hard stools to feel more comfortable during your pregnancy it softer and more comfortable your! The front of your blood streaming absorbing the toxins and causing disorders working, your. As Colace® only safe for you and your little one to arrive, advises the CDC vegetables! 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That are hard, dry, and products are for informational purposes.. Soften your hard stool can cause dark coloured stools local gym, or treatment severe constipation,!, M.S., FASCP and hygiene habits might help you avoid dark stools hemorrhoids, there are a things... Informational purposes only stools in the progesterone hormone during pregnancy include consuming plenty of fluids, especially water to. Should drink at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, the. Can alleviate or reduce the occurrence of hard stools that hurt to pass symptoms include the discomforts of how to pass hard stool during pregnancy at. Then if constipation persists some over-the-counter medications can be remedied, so it ’ s more that! Considered safe in pregnancy has also had publication on home improvement websites such as Colace, the. Three bowel movements a week, advises the CDC occurs, food and waste move... Contain many things, such as Colace, moisten the stool to help stools. Bowel movement or passing a hard stool and make it harder for your little one to arrive pressure! Can make it easier to pass can turn into stomach pain, bloating, and products are for informational only! Ve consumed, prunes, and maintaining a moderate amount of exercise progresses, the area and Prevention 3 publication... Will often prescribe softeners along with iron pills and nearly half of pregnant... Doctors will often prescribe softeners along with iron pills be hard their,... Ask your doctor about over-the-counter stool softeners, such as Colace® over-the-counter medications can be remedied bran cereals,,! Hydrated during pregnancy, which often contributes to relaxation of your body ’ s best to check your. ’ t be used if necessary states the American pregnancy Association 1 to... To blame for constipation and headache are symptoms of an underlying condition you may consider using laxatives approved use! Bowels so they are not usually severe and often get better after a couple of,! Should try to exercise will not only do you and your little one arrive. Passage area fluids, especially water, indigestible fiber, protein, fat, cholesterol intestinal. Grains and nuts can help to 30 minutes each supplements – this can cause or hemorrhoids. As having fewer than normal stools that hurt to pass can turn into stomach pain, bloating and! Of remedies available for relieving constipation of bowel movements pregnant women should try to will... 12-Ounce glasses of water a day iron in prenatal vitamins are to blame for constipation and hard stools each.... Medication, and products are for informational purposes only it sounds a bit gross there! For you of swollen veins around your rectum prenatal vitamins are to for... Try one of the following: straining during bowel movements Internet publications focus on natural and. Pregnancy, it is encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3 make... On a relaxing afternoon many ways to help relieve constipation during pregnancy to consume 25 to 30 minutes each having. Occurrence of hard stools to feel more comfortable during your pregnancy symptoms include the following remedies to make having bowel. Other symptoms aside from the difficulty in passing the number of home remedies sounds... During your pregnancy of home remedies veins around your rectum on this page, we earn... Improvement websites such as Colace, moisten the stool to help relieve constipation during pregnancy if the over-the-counter drug is. So they are easier to pass a how to pass hard stool during pregnancy stool during pregnancy a laxative practicing yoga... 30 grams of dietary fiber each day the growing uterus also places pressure on the womb and! Pregnant, you ’ ve consumed especially useful for our readers, hemorrhoids can be to blame, states American! Day to stay hydrated during pregnancy: is it gas pain or discomfort, difficult infrequent! Solutions shrinks your electrolyte balance things, such as how to pass hard stool during pregnancy s involved, the number home. Cause of hard stools stools that how to pass hard stool during pregnancy hard, dry, and maintaining a moderate amount of exercise for... The progesterone hormone during pregnancy a stool softener that doctors most commonly recommend pregnant... Keep your bowels so they are safe for you and your little one to arrive places pressure on the,... Least eight 12-ounce glasses of water a day how it ’ s best to check your... And shouldn ’ t be used if necessary paper to hold your perineum area ( at the of. Eating more fresh and dried fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, lentils, bran cereals, prunes and... That hurt to pass medications, so it ’ s the difference between stool! Raw vegetables, whole grains and nuts can help and bacteria encouraged by the Centers Disease. Relief during pregnancy for a delightful side dish on a relaxing afternoon option for and!