Constipation during pregnancy

Constipation is a common problem in pregnancy affecting at least half of all pregnant women at some point.

Causes of constipation during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body produces more female hormones than normal. It is the job of these hormones to make sure that the pregnancy develops normally. But they also automatically slow down the woman's intestinal movements. During pregnancy the hormone ‘progesterone’ relaxes your digestive system and slows down intestinal movement which in turn causes infrequent bowel movements leaving you feeling bloated and sluggish. This can be exacerbated in cases where the woman is prescribed iron supplements.

What are the signs of constipation?

Some of the tell-tale signs include:

  • A long period between each bowel movement (i.e. days).
  • Stools are hard, which makes them difficult to pass.
  • There is a feeling that not all the stools are being passed.
  • If the stools are very hard, they may cause bleeding from the rectum.
  • Constipation can also be a cause of lower abdominal pain.
  • In extreme circumstances, a constipated bowel can result in difficulties giving birth

Treating Constipation during Pregnancy

Sunsweet Prune Juice is recommended by many doctors as a healthy and natural option to avoid constipation. It can be the perfect alternative to medicinal laxatives. Taken regularly throughout your pregnancy as a digestive aid, it can help to keep your digestive system working smoothly.

So how do you know which is the best Prune Juice to drink? It’s all down to the levels of ‘Sorbitol’ that the juice contains. Basically, these natural fruit sugars are what make the juice effective, so the higher the sorbitol level, the better the juice. Well, Sunsweet Prune Juice has double the amount of Sorbitol than any other prune juice and is made from 100% juice with no added preservatives, so you can rest assured you’re taking care of yourself and your baby naturally.*

And there’s more! Sunsweet Prune Juice contains 18 essential vitamins and minerals, it counts for one portion of your five-a-day recommended fresh fruit and vegetable intake and is even bursting with antioxidants (which are just great for your skin).

How Much Should you Drink?

Everyone’s body is different, but start with the recommended daily serving of 120ml and see how that works for you. Sunsweet Prune Juice is suitable for all children over the age of six months, just dilute as necessary. The recommended serving for children is 75ml. For babies, just mix 30–60ml with 30–60ml cooled, boiled water.

* It is not suitable for infants under six months