Pregnancy Constipation: Gentle Ways to Find Relief Without Medication

Modern medicine supports the insights of the Donguibogam with clear physiological evidence. Constipation during pregnancy is more than a simple discomfort; because it affects maternal well-being, understanding its causes is essential. A primary factor is hormonal shifts. Progesterone, which is indispensable for maintaining pregnancy, relaxes the myometrium while simultaneously relaxing smooth muscle throughout other internal organs. Consequently, peristalsis within the digestive organ slows considerably, leading to sluggish bowel transit. When the intestines move contents slowly, the large intestine absorbs more water from the stool. As a result, stool loses moisture, hardens, decreases in bulk, and becomes difficult to evacuate. Furthermore, as pregnancy progresses, the enlarging uterus exerts direct mechanical pressure on the rectum and colon, creating a physical barrier that further impedes passage. Other factors frequently compound the issue. Iron supplements, routinely prescribed to support expanded blood volume for mother and fetus, place extra burden on the bowel and commonly induce or aggravate constipation. Reduced dietary fiber from morning sickness or changing appetites, alongside diminished physical activity due to fatigue, further slows intestinal motility. Research also indicates that shifts in the gut microbiota during pregnancy may contribute to bowel irregularity. The gut-brain axis responds sensitively to hormones and stress; emotional strain and hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can alter this communication, affecting gut motor function. The traditional concept of fluid deficiency mirrors this increased water reabsorption and dry stool, while qi stagnation aligns with progesterone-induced hypoperistalsis and mechanical compression.