Most pregnant women, after giving birth, have insufficient milk and therefore eat various supplements to increase milk production. However, excessive nutrition intake can easily lead to constipation. So, what should pregnant women do if they are constipated? Here are some tips for you!
The reasons for postpartum constipation
1. Due to reduced gastrointestinal function during the puerperium period, slow intestinal peristalsis causes prolonged retention of stool in the intestines, leading to dry and hard stools.
2. The abdominal muscles and pelvic tissues relax due to excessive expansion during pregnancy, resulting in weakened bowel movements.
3. Postpartum weakness leads to reduced bowel movement ability. Therefore, postpartum constipation is common.
4. Unreasonable diet structure, with insufficient intake of vegetables and fruits.
5. Mainly due to decreased gastrointestinal function, slow peristalsis, prolonged retention of stool in the intestines, and excessive absorption of water.
6. During pregnancy, the contraction strength of the abdominal wall and pelvic muscles is insufficient.
7. In the late stage of delivery, the perineum and pelvis may be damaged to varying degrees, which inhibits the defecation reflex through neural reflex.
8. Postpartum diets often emphasize high nutrition but lack fiber, resulting in reduced food residue.
9. Difficulty in getting out of bed and many postpartum women are not accustomed to using bedpans for defecation.
Recommended postpartum foods for bowel movement
1. Onion-flavored milk
Recipe: 250g milk, 60g honey, a little onion juice. Mix the onion juice and honey into the milk and bring it to a boil. Simmer for more than 10 minutes.
Effect: It can moisten the intestines and promote bowel movements. It can be used by postpartum women with constipation, and it also has a certain effect on habitual constipation.
2. Honey tea
Recipe: 65g honey, 35ml sesame oil. Mix the sesame oil and honey evenly, and then add boiling water to make a tea.
Effect: Take it in the morning and evening. It can moisturize the intestines and promote bowel movements. It has a certain therapeutic effect on postpartum dry and constipated intestines.
3. Perilla and sesame congee
Recipe: 20g perilla seeds, 20g sesame seeds, 200g glutinous rice, 30g white sugar.
Grind the perilla seeds and sesame seeds, soak them in water and stir, then strain the juice and put it in a pot. Add clean washed rice and cook the congee. It can relieve gas stagnation, moisturize the intestines, promote bowel movements, and invigorate qi and strengthen the stomach.
Effect: Suitable for postpartum constipation, especially for those with abdominal bloating.
4. Stewed sea cucumber and pork intestines
Recipe: 200g sea cucumber, 200g pork intestines, 50g black fungus, 5g scallion, 5g ginger, 10g soy sauce, 50g cooking wine.
Boil water in a pot, blanch the soaked and cleaned sea cucumber and pork intestines separately. Put the pork intestines in the pot with water and cook until partially cooked, then add sea cucumber, scallion, ginger, cooking wine, and soy sauce. Cook until the sea cucumber and pork intestines are tender, then add black fungus and cook until the fungus is cooked.
Effect: Nourishes yin and clears heat, invigorates the intestines, and promotes bowel movements. It is used for postpartum weakness of yin and blood, internal heat, and dry and hard stools.
