Why do I feel constipated when my due date comes?

If you experience constipation when it is time for delivery, don't be too anxious. We know that as the fetus gradually develops in the mother's body, the uterus gradually expands, which will compress the stomach and intestines, causing certain digestion problems. It is normal to have constipation. At this time, you should pay more attention to diet adjustment. Don't exert too much force when defecating, and eat more foods that help promote bowel movements.

Precautions for diet during the due date

Before and after the due date, pregnant women should ensure a balanced nutritional intake. Although it is necessary to supplement enough nutrition during pregnancy to avoid malnutrition that affects the normal development of the fetus, in the late pregnancy, the diet should be relatively restrained, because if you eat too much, the baby in the belly will grow too large, and there is a risk of macrosomia.

Starting from the eighth month of pregnancy, the fetus's body grows very fast. Its main characteristics are that the brain, bones, blood vessels, and muscles are fully formed at this time, various internal organs are mature, the skin gradually becomes tough, and subcutaneous fat increases. If a pregnant woman's nutritional intake is unreasonable or excessive, the fetus will grow too large and cause dystocia at birth. Therefore, the diet of pregnant women during this period must be arranged reasonably.

The diet during this period should be small, rich and varied. Generally, small meals should be taken, and the amount of food consumed should be appropriately controlled, especially high-protein and high-fat foods.

The seasoning of food should be light, eat less salty food, the amount of salt in the daily diet should be controlled below 7 grams, and it is not advisable to drink a lot of water. At the same time, pregnant women should choose foods that are small in size and high in nutritional value, such as animal foods, and avoid eating foods that are large in size and low in nutritional value, such as potatoes and sweet potatoes, to reduce the feeling of fullness in the stomach. In particular, adequate calcium intake should be taken. Pregnant women should pay attention to the intake of vitamins while eating calcium-rich foods.

Pregnant women should take in enough high-quality protein and essential fatty acids, and eat more vegetable oils. Pay attention to balanced nutrition. In your daily diet, you should control your salt intake. Don't eat too much high-calorie foods, sweets, rice, bread and other staple foods. Eat more eggs, milk, meat and soy products containing high-quality protein. At the same time, you should also consider eating foods containing other nutrients.

Precautions for prenatal care

As the due date approaches and the fetus is about to be born, pregnant women should pay attention to proper exercise to facilitate normal delivery; prepare the delivery bag in advance to avoid the baby being born before the due date without proper prenatal preparation; if there are prenatal signs such as spotting or water breaking, you need to go to the hospital immediately to prepare for delivery. In addition, pregnant women need to pay attention to their diet before the due date to facilitate delivery.

1. Pay attention to fetal movement

Pay attention to fetal movements every day. If the baby does not move, you should walk more, change your position, or gently pat your belly to see if the baby moves. If the baby still does not move, go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible.

2. Take more walks and climb stairs

If you want a natural birth, you should take more walks and climb stairs more often. It is recommended that you go shopping in a large supermarket after dinner and spend more time there. There is air conditioning so you won’t feel hot, but you should pay attention to safety and try to go shopping at a time when there are fewer people to avoid accidents. You can also choose to go shopping in the garden and breathe fresh air, which is also good for the fetus.

3. Seek medical attention immediately if your water breaks

If the pregnant mother finds that her water has broken (that is, she suddenly urinates and cannot hold it back), or has regular labor pains every 3-5 minutes (like menstrual cramps), she needs to go to the hospital immediately to prepare for delivery, because the baby may no longer be able to stay in the belly and needs to come out to meet you immediately.

4. Prepare your delivery bag

Things you need to buy: restraints, maternity pads, extra-large sanitary napkins, toiletries, a breast pump and nursing pads, a 125ML bottle (if you want to breastfeed), gauze clothes for your baby, and a swaddle (if the hospital does not provide milk powder, you will have to prepare it yourself). Because each hospital provides different things, you need to consult the hospital. Other items not listed can be purchased after the birth.