Constipation During Pregnancy: Relief and When to Get Help

Percent of women checking in each week who reported this symptom. Weeks meeting our reporting cutoff: 4–14. Missing weeks are not zero; this is not an individual symptom timeline.

Between weeks 13 and 27, 166 of 803 women who checked in with Pregnancy Safe reported constipation (20.7%). Each woman is counted once across that span.

These check ins reflect app reporting, not clinical prevalence or an individual symptom trajectory. Not logging constipation does not mean someone had no constipation.

Among 649 women who reported constipation in Pregnancy Safe, here's how many also logged these symptoms on at least one of the same check-ins:^*

• Bloating 🎈: 60.6% (393 of 649 women)
• Gas 💨: 52.1% (338 of 649 women)
• Diarrhea 💩: 12.9% (84 of 649 women)

These symptoms were reported alongside constipation on the same check in. Reporting them together does not show that constipation caused them or later changed into diarrhea.

Constipation can cause abdominal discomfort and painful stools, but don’t assume severe abdominal symptoms are ordinary constipation: the warning symptoms above need urgent care. Otherwise, contact your doctor for severe or persistent constipation, prolonged straining, a blocked feeling, unsuccessful lifestyle changes, or concerns.

• Describe bowel frequency, stool texture and other symptoms.
• List medicines, supplements and relief measures tried.

For example: ‘My stools are hard, and I keep straining despite adding fiber and water. I take prenatal iron. What treatment should I try?’

Constipation can start early as pregnancy hormones change, but there is no exact onset week for everyone. It can occur in any trimester; pressure from the growing uterus can make it more troublesome in the third trimester.

It may last through pregnancy and often improves after birth, though it can continue postpartum. Ask for treatment if it persists rather than waiting for delivery.

Constipation alone cannot confirm pregnancy a pregnancy test is more useful. Early onset also does not tell you how a pregnancy is progressing.

Pregnancy can slow bowel movement in several ways: progesterone relaxes bowel muscles, the growing uterus adds pressure, and iron in supplements can contribute.

Changes in fiber, fluids, activity and daily routine are possible reasons symptoms come and go. That is a possible explanation, not a proven early pregnancy pattern. Fluctuations alone cannot tell you whether a pregnancy is healthy.

Review medicines and supplements with your care team rather than stopping them yourself. They can help decide whether a change is appropriate.

You can begin these steps now, but they do not promise an immediate bowel movement. There isn’t enough information here to give a reliable treatment start to relief time.

• Choose fiber rich foods such as apples, raspberries, lentils, split peas and whole wheat pasta.
• Increase fiber gradually rather than all at once. Compare packaged food labels for higher fiber choices, and drink water as you increase fiber.
• Try regular movement, such as walking, when appropriate for your pregnancy.

If symptoms persist, ask about treatment options rather than simply continuing to wait.

For easier toilet habits, go when you feel the urge and try after meals. Use a footstool, lean forward with your back straight, and relax your abdominal muscles.

Straining does not affect the fetus, but repeated straining can contribute to hemorrhoids and anal fissures. Seek treatment when stools remain difficult to pass rather than repeatedly forcing them.

A blocked feeling or prolonged straining needs care team help; accompanying warning symptoms need urgent care.

When lifestyle changes aren’t enough, a pharmacist, midwife or doctor can help select treatment. Options have different roles and are not universally suitable. Common treatment categories include:

• Bulk forming fiber supplements, including ispaghula and methylcellulose, are often tried first. These are supplemental treatments, distinct from choosing higher fiber foods.
• Osmotic laxatives, including lactulose and macrogols, increase water in stool and are usually considered next.
• Docusate softens stool.
• Stimulant laxatives help the bowel move stool along and are generally considered after earlier options haven’t helped.

For MiraLAX specifically, the pregnancy guidance used here does not establish a product specific recommendation. Confirm the exact product with your clinician or pharmacist before using it.

Do not use castor oil or mineral oil as self directed remedies; discuss them with your provider.