Do you find that your system is somewhat slower or less efficient now that you're pregnant? Well, unfortunately, constipation affects at least half of all pregnant women.

During pregnancy, your digestive system (like so many other things) changes - digestion slows down because your new pregnancy hormones cause the smooth muscles of your stomach and intestinal wall to relax.

Another culprit is hydration. Pregnant women often don't realize that they need to drink MORE fluid than they're used to (which can be hard - especially if you're feeling nauseas).

And then there's also the iron in your prenatal vitamins and your expanding uterus pressing on your rectum - a lot for your system to contend with!

The long and short of it is that constipation IS normal during pregnancy, BUT that does not mean that you have to settle for it. Here are some of my tips to help you out...

10 EASY WAYS TO CURE YOUR CONSTIPATION:

1. Drink at least eight big glasses of water a day.

2. Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables (preferably the non-starchy ones). Natural prune juice did the trick for me!

3. Eat lots of fiber to give your intestines a workout and keep your bowel movements soft. Choose whole grains such as oats, brown rice, and barley.

4. Avoid refined carbohydrates, such as flour and sugar.

5. Avoid processed cheeses - they can be constipating!

6. Eat nuts and seeds (preferably ground) to help digestion.

7. Exercise (or just walk) daily (if you can) - preferably 20 plus minutes.

8. Keep your stress levels and anxiety to a minimum.

9. Listen to your urge to go to the bathroom (do NOT wait!).

10. And last but not least, try a natural remedy like flaxseeds or prunes.

Drinking water, eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and being active will not only help relieve your discomfort from constipation, but you'll feel great too!

Article from Pregnancy without Pound, visit their website for more info.