Pregnancy constipation can be uncomfortable. Constipation occurs when it is difficult to pass bowel movements, when you have fewer than three or four a week, or they form hard balls or pellets. Sometimes, it can be so difficult to make a bowel movement that the straining causes hemorrhoids.

Your diet plays a major role in your bowel habits. Eating a high-fiber diet and drinking plenty of liquids are the easiest and most effective changes to make to eliminate constipation. Limit foods that may constipate you, like chocolate and dairy products.

Taking a multi-vitamin every day is important. However the folic acid might be the culprit for some cases of pregnancy constipation. If that’s the case, do not stop taking the vitamin, but double your water consumption and add some prune juice two or three times a day. If simple diet changes do not help, ask your health care provider about recommended options for treating pregnancy constipation.