Pregnancy Resources: Tips for Avoiding Constipation

• Eat Fruits & Vegetables: Concentrate on eating 5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Especially helpful fruits include:
  • Plums
  • Cherries
  • Melons
  • Grapes
  • Nectarines
  • Pears
    
• Eat a Diet High in Fiber: High fiber foods contain at least 2 grams of fiber per serving. Choose whole grains whenever possible.
  
• Stay Hydrated: Keep well hydrated. Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water daily.
  
• Stay Active (With your physician’s permission): Keep physically active as this keeps the bowels stimulated.
  
• Take Fiber Supplements: The use of fiber supplements may be helpful, such as:
  
  • Metamucil
  • Citrucel
  • Konsyl
  • Benefiber
    
    *Be mindful that your intake of fluid is adequate while using fiber supplements.
    
    
• Avoid Binding Foods: Avoid too much of these “binding” foods:
  
  • Foods containing white flour
  • Cold Cuts
  • Bananas
  • Rice
  • Cheese
    
• Stool Softeners: If necessary, these stool softeners may be used up to twice/day:
  
  • Surfak
  • Colace

*Try to avoid use of stimulant laxatives-if you feel that none of the above suggestions are helping, please call us at (214) 823-7900 for additional guidance.