You may become constipated very early in pregnancy because of the hormonal changes in your body.
Avoiding constipation
There are a few things you can do to help prevent constipation. These include:
- eat foods that are high in fibre, such as wholemeal breads, wholegrain cereals, fruit and vegetables, and pulses such as beans and lentils (find out more about healthy eating in pregnancy)
- exercise regularly to keep your muscles toned (find out more about exercise in pregnancy)
- drink plenty of water
- avoid iron supplements as they can make you constipated: ask your doctor if you can manage without them or change to a different type
The Health A-Z section has more information about the symptoms of constipation and treatment of constipation, including the safe use of laxatives during pregnancy.
Find out about more common minor problems in pregnancy.
