What are the dangers of constipation during pregnancy and childbirth?

  Constipation not only affects the mental and physical health of pregnant women, but also endangers the health of the fetus. It not only affects postpartum recovery, but more seriously, it may cause toxins in the body not to be discharged in time, which may be passed to the baby through breastfeeding and affect the baby’s development. Constipation includes low bowel movements, incomplete bowel movements, poor bowel movements, etc. Most of the constipation that occurs during pregnancy and childbirth is functional constipation, according to foreign reports, the prevalence rate is 11-38%, and varies with different stages of pregnancy.  Theoretically, as long as we pay attention to the usual diet, eat more vegetables, fruits and coarse grains containing more fiber, plus the force of feasible exercise, such as walking, can overcome constipation. However, the occurrence of constipation is a process, and even some pregnant women before pregnancy that there are symptoms of constipation, too fine food, the body is bulky and lazy activities, increased secretion of luteinizing hormone during pregnancy, so that the gastrointestinal tract smooth muscle relaxation, peristalsis slowed, resulting in increased absorption of water in the large intestine, fecal hardening and poor defecation, late pregnancy fetus and uterus is increasing, mechanical pressure on the rectum, maternal birth injury Constipation can lead to endocrine disorders and unbalanced absorption of micronutrients, which may cause mild toxemia symptoms, and in the long run will lead to anemia and malnutrition, and even induce hemorrhoids and prolapse. This shows that it is more important to keep maternal bowel movements smooth and worry-free. In addition to the habit of regular bowel movements, pregnant women should eat more fiber-rich foods such as celery, leafy greens, radishes, melons, apples, bananas, pears, oats, mixed beans, brown rice, etc., and eat less or no indigestible foods, such as chili peppers, fava beans, fried eggs, dumplings, dumplings, etc. Drink a glass of warm water on an empty stomach every day after waking up to stimulate intestinal peristalsis, experts recommend a daily intake of dietary fiber 25-35g, and drink 1.5-2.0L of water daily while you should ensure that you have enough indoor outdoor activities every day, the best way is to walk for an hour every day. When sleeping, try to take the left side position to reduce the pressure of the uterus on the rectum. Once constipation occurs, do not take laxatives or corked laxatives indiscriminately, oral lubricating laxatives will affect the intestinal absorption of nutrients, especially vitamin K absorption, may lead to severe neonatal hypoprothrombinemia, taking laxatives or corked laxatives will cause uterine contractions caused by enhanced gastrointestinal peristalsis, stimulation leading to miscarriage or preterm delivery.  Therefore, maternal constipation should be mainly prevented, with dietary adjustment as the first priority and drug adjustment as an aid. Pay attention to the careful use of drugs or, under the guidance of a doctor, use drugs such as lactulose, wheat cellulose, tylenol suppositories, etc., which are reliable in efficacy, not absorbed by human blood (no teratogenic effect), not secreted by breast milk, and well tolerated, to treat constipation. Maternity can usually do the exercise to prevent constipation – Kaji exercise, as originated from the Tang Dynasty Chinese medicine, also known as “handful of Valley Road” of the anal exercise health therapy, the role of strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, conducive to defecation, to help labor. Exercise should be thoroughly relaxed abdominal muscles, hamstrings and femoral muscles, contraction of the anus, each time adhere to 10 seconds or longer, and then relaxed for 10 seconds, so contraction and relaxation for a total of 3 times counted as 1 round, a maximum of 10 rounds of exercise per day. (Beginners should pay attention to gradual progress and do not need to overemphasize the number of times to avoid unnecessary pelvic floor muscle fatigue.) When the symptoms of unfavorable bowel movements are under control, the number of rounds can no longer be increased, but should continue to insist on doing at least 1 round a day, or 3 rounds a week, to keep the pelvic floor muscle groups strong and powerful, will help defecation.