OK, can I just make it clear that I am not obsessed with constipation? 😀 However I have a 15 week pregnant client and she is a bit constipated in spite of a really healthy lifestyle including a great diet, plenty of fluids etc. After a couple of reflex treatments with me things have improved and she's stopped feeling bloated but I would like to be able to pass on any good tips I can to her. Has anyone got any tried and tested advice? Constipation was not a problem before she got pregnant. She is taking iron supplements which could certainly be contributing to it.
Thanks!
RE: Constipation in pregnancy
Hello you
Linusit gold..........cheap, and a bit like bird seed husks but does the job and is all natural, eat a couple of spoonfuls in the morning or sprinkle it on the cereal etc but you must drink extra water with it, instructions on packet, one 500g packet normal size methinks should last her a long long time and no you cant overdose so start low and work up...failing that fybogel is ok for pregnancy as far as i know....would stay away from herbal preparations including senna as these can cause cramping. just one of those preg. things im afraid,,,she will also need to look out for piles if she is constipated ensure she does not strain!!!!!
Hugs
T
x
RE: Constipation in pregnancy
Have to agree with TigerBee.
I was given Fybogel and it helped a lot, but I also think the iron tablets could be contributing to it.
Yes, constipation is one of those pregnancy thing's:)
Love, Light & Blessing's
Crystallove XX
[sm=FIFangel.gif]
RE: Constipation in pregnancy
Oh thank you ladies, that's good advice. Do you know exactly what causes the bowel to become less efficient in pregnancy? I am quite interested in knowing the anatomy behind it (Maybe I need to get out more :))
Love S xxx
RE: Constipation in pregnancy
Hiya
couple of things.....in early and late pregnancy all baby related equipment is very low down and this can compress epecially as babe gets bigger on the colon, also the body is creating a miracle and this takes energy so other not so important things take a less prominent position if ya know what i mean...
Hugs
T
x
RE: Constipation in pregnancy
Hi
Perhaps you could show your lady how to work on her own hands, it is very effective. ( I do my own, to good effect!!) I know the reflex is smaller but easy and she can do it often.
Peristalsis is slower in pregnancy so this stimulates it. As you will probably know, the reflex is on the lower part of the palm and works round from small to large intestine as on the feet.
Has she tried stepping up her fruit intake. Oranges and pears are particularly good (lots of fibre) also grapes and bananas.
There are other iron tablets she can take it hers are causing a problem.
Janx
RE: Constipation in pregnancy
Hi again! Thank you T for the explanation. Jan, she's eating lots of fruit and funnily enough I suggested pears to her today because I know how they can go through you! Not sure about oranges because she already gets some sinus probs and I know to my cost how mucus forming citrus fruits can be. I was gently stimulating the gall bladder reflex today since I know bile stimulates peristalsis, and the reflex was pretty gritty to start with. Next time I see her I may give her some homework to do on her hands between sessions. Thanks for all the input, some great stuff here!
RE: Constipation in pregnancy
Hi!
Nice & natural suggestion - black strap mollases. Tastes like liquorice so OK if you don't mind the taste. [8D] Nice & cheap to buy by the jar in health-food stores. Take 1 teaspoon dissolved in small amount of boiling water (like tar otherwise!) and drink each evening. This will soon get things moving! Worked like a miracle for me 5 years ago and has worked for every pregnant (or otherwise)patient of mine with constipation since. 🙂
Best wishes
a small amount of lactulose solution (gp prescrbed personally to her) should do the trick but through gp - most things should be passed through gp first.
During pregnancy, the body produces more female hormones than normal. It is the job of these hormones to make sure that the pregnancy develops normally. But they also automatically slow down the woman's intestinal movements.
One of these hormones, called progesterone, acts by relaxing muscle. The wall (outside) of the bowel is made of muscle and relaxes, and so is less able to move food and bodily waste along.
Pregnant women should make sure their diet is rich in fibre and includes plenty of liquid. That is the best way of guaranteeing normal intestinal activity.
Hi skekyah - I think your advice is excellent - hope the original client doesn't still have the problem....... the thread is 3 years old!
hahahaha argh well im new to this .....think pregnancy hormones are scrambling my brains? haha