Page 44 - April Issue

on the way | discomfort

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mother, baby & child April 2011 Help with things moving. Also exercise pain, alternates with diarrhoea,
constipation regularly, advises Bradley, or you pass mucus or blood,
“Walking, swimming and yoga call your doctor or midwife
A few tips, says Bradley, can all help ease constipation immediately.” Also, straining
for preventing and easing and leave you feeling more fit during a bowel movement or
constipation include eating and healthy.” passing a hard stool can lead
high-fibre foods such as Also she reminds us that your to or worsen haemorrhoids,
whole-grain cereals and bowels are most likely to be which she explains are
breads, brown rice, beans, and active after meals, so make swollen veins in the rectal
fresh fruits and vegetables time to use the bathroom after area. “Haemorrhoids can be
every day. “Adding a couple you eat. “Listen to your body extremely uncomfortable,
of tablespoons of unprocessed and never put off going to the though they rarely cause
wheat bran, which is readily bathroom when you feel the serious problems,” she says
available at health food stores, urge,” she emphasises, adding, and in most cases, they go
to your cereal in the morning “If these measures don’t help, away fairly soon after your
and following it with a glass talk to your doctor about baby is born. “In the case
of water can help, though it taking an over-the-counter fibre where the pain is severe or
may take a few days before supplement or stool softener.” you have rectal bleeding, call
you notice a difference,” she your caregiver so you can be
says. “Also be sure to drink Cause for Concern evaluated,” Bradley urges.
plenty of water – at least six
to eight glasses a day.” A Is constipation a cause for CREDITS:
glass of fruit juice every day, concern? “Not usually, but Rebekah Bradley
especially prune juice, can occasionally it can be a Senior Midwife
also be helpful. Some people, symptom of another problem,” Health Bay Polyclinic, Dubai
points out Bradley, find that notes Bradley, “If you have 04-3487140
drinking a warm liquid right severe constipation that is
after waking up helps get accompanied by abdominal

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