Modern medicine interprets constipation occurring during pregnancy and postpartum not as a simple digestive system issue, but as a result of complex physiological changes occurring within a woman's body. The dryness described by Donguibogam is deeply connected to the effects of progesterone, a hormone that increases during pregnancy. While progesterone plays an important role in relaxing the uterus to prevent miscarriage, it simultaneously relaxes intestinal muscles, significantly slowing down intestinal peristalsis. As intestinal movement becomes sluggish, the transit time of food through the intestines lengthens, increasing opportunities for moisture to be absorbed, which leaves stools progressively hard and dry. This aligns precisely with the concept of dryness in Donguibogam.
In addition, during pregnancy, the enlarging uterus physically compresses the intestines, which may also hinder the passage of stool. Moreover, iron supplementation can serve as a major factor that further aggravates constipation. After childbirth, even more complex issues arise. The deficiency mentioned in Donguibogam connects to the extreme consumption of qi and blood during labor, perineum injury, and dehydration caused by lactation. Pain and damage to the perineum during delivery make straining during defecation difficult, which leads to an unconscious suppression of bowel movements, worsening constipation. Furthermore, because breastfeeding requires substantial water from the mother's body, if sufficient hydration is not maintained, moisture is drawn even from the intestines, potentially making stools drier.
Changes in the autonomic nervous system are also an important element. Pregnancy and childbirth place tremendous stress on a woman's body, which can activate the sympathetic nerve and further reduce intestinal motility. Stress affects the gut-brain axis, reducing digestive enzyme secretion and altering the intestinal environment, which may lead to a decrease in beneficial bacteria. Dysbiosis is one of the key factors inducing constipation and diarrhea, an area actively being elucidated in modern research. In particular, when stool remains in the intestines for prolonged periods, toxins are produced, creating an environment where harmful bacteria can proliferate, potentially repeating a vicious cycle.
In this way, modern medicine explores the causes of constipation in pregnant and postpartum women from multiple angles, ranging from subtle hormonal shifts to neurological responses and the intestinal environment. Combining this scientific understanding based on the wisdom of Donguibogam will allow us to address mothers' pain much more effectively and warmly. It suggests that an integrative approach is needed to restore the balance of the mother's entire body, going beyond treatment that simply expels stool.
