MY NUMBER ONE PREGNANCY PROBLEM!
My first pregnancy was a happy, easy one in many ways. I got morning sickness only a few times during my first trimester, I didn’t have tons of pains and aches and I didn’t really suffer much from pregnancy symptoms.
Except for one: constipation.
Many pregnant women struggle with constipation but it’s not the most glamorous thing to talk about, so many don’t say anything. We can blame pregnancy hormones on this one, which relax smooth muscles throughout the body, making food pass through the intestines more slowly.
Constipation can be a serious problem that can cause painful hemorrhoids (which will only get worse with pushing a baby out), plus it can be problematic during labor if it continues towards the end of pregnancy.
Except for one: constipation.
Many pregnant women struggle with constipation but it’s not the most glamorous thing to talk about, so many don’t say anything. We can blame pregnancy hormones on this one, which relax smooth muscles throughout the body, making food pass through the intestines more slowly.
Constipation can be a serious problem that can cause painful hemorrhoids (which will only get worse with pushing a baby out), plus it can be problematic during labor if it continues towards the end of pregnancy.
COMMON SENSE ADVICE WAS NOT ENOUGH FOR ME
I have always enjoyed great digestion, so I didn’t really know what to do. The worse part for me was the repetitive and completely useless advice the Internet kept giving me: eat more fiber, drink more water, exercise. As a vegetarian and ex raw vegan I eat so much fiber that at some point I worried I was eating too much and I have always been an avid water drinker. On top of that, I was doing prenatal yoga every day, diligently, and none of these things were helping my constipation problem. I was so frustrated!
WHAT FINALLY WORKED!
After hours of browsing the Internet for something that could actually help, I found a small sentence somewhere recommending Apple Cider Vinegar. I didn’t have lots of hope, but considering all the health benefits of ACV I decided to try it out. I started out by just drinking two teaspoons in a glass of water with a little bit of honey, and after just a few days my digestion was seeing huge improvements! Eventually, I started adding chia seeds, wanting to make sure I was getting my Omega-3 from a plant source. As my pregnancy progressed, I would often turn to this drink when I was craving something sweet, so it was definitely a win-win.
There is no scientific research that proves Apple Cider Vinegar can ease constipation, but in my own experience, after trying many other things, this was a great remedy. It could be the pectin content in ACV, which improves the absorption of fiber or the little probiotic kick. Either way, this drink is delicious and well worth the try!
Try it in combination with a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, tons of water, exercise, maybe even a squatty-potty, and you will see wonderful results.
There is no scientific research that proves Apple Cider Vinegar can ease constipation, but in my own experience, after trying many other things, this was a great remedy. It could be the pectin content in ACV, which improves the absorption of fiber or the little probiotic kick. Either way, this drink is delicious and well worth the try!
Try it in combination with a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, tons of water, exercise, maybe even a squatty-potty, and you will see wonderful results.
 | DIRECTIONS: Add the chia seeds to the water and let it sit overnight or at least an hour. The next morning, add honey and apple cider vinegar. Mix with a spoon or use a jar with a lid for an easy shake. Enjoy! INGREDIENTS: 1/2 tablespoon of dry chia seeds 2 teaspoons of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar 1 teaspoon of honey (optional) 8 oz of water |
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