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Here’s why it can be so hard to poop when you’re preggo
You’ve read up on what to expect when you’re expecting, but you probably didn’t expect to have so much trouble pooping. Constipation is a common side effect of pregnancy, and there are steps you can take to try to remedy it.
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Ob/Gyn Stacie Jhaveri, MD, explains why you can’t seem to go and what you can do about it.
If you’ve already bought the classic children’s book Everybody Poops for your new little one, you may be feeling the irony that this new little one is the reason you can’t currently poop.
Why exactly does being pregnant stop you up so badly? Dr. Jhaveri explains.
If you’re feeling constipated, but it’s not quite time to pee on a stick to see if you’re pregnant, you may be looking for early signs of conception. But constipation isn’t the sign you’re looking for.
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“Constipation can have a number of causes unrelated to pregnancy, so constipation in and of itself is not indicative of pregnancy,” Dr. Jhaveri says. “And pregnancy-related constipation doesn’t typically appear until month two or three.”
Constipation can cause hemorrhoids, swollen veins that appear as painful lumps on your anus, and can make existing hemorrhoids even more painful. They might form as a result of increased circulation and pressure on the rectum and vagina from your growing baby.
If you’re desperately trying to figure out how to relieve constipation during pregnancy, look no further.
Dr. Jhaveri shares helpful tips for finding relief and getting your insides in order — and if you’re pregnant but not constipated, these same tips can help you avoid it. “Most of these are just healthy principles to follow when you are pregnant,” she says, “and fortunately, they can also help to prevent constipation.”
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