Pregnancy and Its Associated Bodily Changes

After pregnancy, women's bodies undergo a series of changes. In the early stages of pregnancy, some women may experience early pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and sleepiness. Additionally, some women may feel a constant urge to have a bowel movement during the mid-pregnancy period. These are often normal physiological phenomena resulting from the enlarging uterus compressing the bladder and rectum. Let's delve into what causes this constant feeling of needing to defecate during pregnancy and how to manage it.

Causes and Management of Constant Bowel Movement Feeling During Pregnancy

After pregnancy, the body secretes progesterone, which effectively protects the fetus and prevents miscarriages. It also has anesthetic properties that can stimulate the intestines and produce a feeling of needing to defecate. As the uterus gradually enlarges during pregnancy, it compresses surrounding tissues such as the bladder and rectum, causing discomfort in the urinary, digestive, and respiratory systems. In the early stages of pregnancy, women may feel a constant urge to defecate, frequent urination, urgency, abdominal bloating, lower back pain, and constipation. As the pregnancy progresses, the body adjusts accordingly, and the feeling of compression gradually eases.

To manage this, women can increase their physical activity, such as walking and prenatal exercise, and drink plenty of warm water and consume foods rich in dietary fiber to promote gastrointestinal motility. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, maintaining a balanced diet, and supplementing with multiple vitamins can help boost the immune system. It is recommended to eat small meals frequently and avoid overeating. During pregnancy, it is also important to maintain vaginal hygiene as improper sexual practices can lead to vaginal infections and potentially cause miscarriages.

Key Considerations for Mothers in the Late Stages of Pregnancy

If there are no significant discomforts and only a feeling of needing to defecate, there is no need to worry. However, if accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vaginal bleeding, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention. After 37 weeks, when the fetus is considered full-term and near the expected delivery date, the appearance of contractions, abdominal pain, and a feeling of needing to defecate may indicate that the mother is approaching labor.

Starting from the 28th week of pregnancy, mothers should undergo prenatal check-ups every two weeks, and after the 36th week, they should have weekly check-ups. The late stages of pregnancy are a critical period, and it is crucial for mothers to attend prenatal check-ups on time. During these check-ups, mothers can inform their doctors about any issues they may be experiencing, and the doctors will provide answers and guidance accordingly.

After the 28th week, mothers should regularly count their baby's movements, once in the morning, afternoon, and evening. If it is not feasible to count three times daily, they can choose to count for an hour between 6-10 pm instead. Normal fetal movement is considered to be three or more movements per hour. If the number of movements decreases by half compared to usual or if there is a sudden increase in frequency, mothers should continue counting for another hour. If there is no improvement, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly.