The main reason for postpartum constipation is that women lose blood and fluids after childbirth, leaving the intestines unmoistened. Alternatively, the mother may be deficient in Qi, and her Yang energy is severely depleted after delivery, making her body too weak to transport stool. This causes stool to accumulate in the intestines, remaining there for a long time and becoming difficult to expel. Postpartum mothers are very prone to constipation, so what should they eat for it? Let's find out together!
In general, postpartum constipation is influenced by the following factors:
1. Multiple births. The more times a woman gives birth, the more likely she is to experience postpartum constipation. Therefore, if it is not her first delivery, she is very likely to suffer from it.
2. Bloating during pregnancy. The protruding abdomen during pregnancy causes excessive abdominal expansion, leading to relaxation of the mother's pelvic floor tissues and abdominal muscles, which weakens the force of defecation.
3. Postpartum weakness. The mother's body is weak after childbirth, which weakens the force of defecation and can easily lead to constipation.
4. Leftover issues from pregnancy. Constipation that persisted from the pregnancy period.
5. Decreased gastrointestinal function. Gastrointestinal function declines during the puerperium, intestinal peristalsis is slower, and intestinal contents stay for too long, causing water to be absorbed and resulting in dry, hard stool. This is also a primary cause of postpartum constipation.
6. Medication used during delivery. Pain-relieving medications, such as pethidine, are often used during childbirth. These drugs can slow down the mother's intestinal motility below normal levels.
7. Unreasonable diet. Unhealthy eating habits, such as eating too few fresh fruits and vegetables, can also lead to constipation. Overemphasizing high nutrition while neglecting supplements like fiber reduces the amount of food residue, thereby reducing the opportunity for bowel movements.
8. Medication. Mothers taking antidepressants or iron supplements, among other drugs, can also lead to postpartum constipation.
9. Episiotomy. If a doctor performs an episiotomy with stitches during delivery, it can indirectly lead to constipation.
What should you eat for postpartum constipation?
There are many foods that can help relieve or treat postpartum constipation, but the main principle is to rationally combine coarse and fine grains to diversify staple foods and achieve a balanced diet. Foods that can relieve constipation can be divided into the following categories based on their different ingredients and functions:
1. Foods rich in organic acids. Consuming drinks containing organic acids, such as yogurt, can promote digestion and help with bowel movements. Postpartum constipation patients can drink it regularly.
2. Foods rich in fiber. Such as coarse grains, celery, sweet potatoes, and various green leafy vegetables.
3. Foods with high water content. Foods with high water content can help relieve constipation, such as snow pears and other fresh fruits rich in moisture.
4. Foods that accelerate intestinal peristalsis. Promoting intestinal peristalsis can make bowel movements smoother. Eating foods like ripe bananas, apples, taro, and honey can speed up intestinal motility.
5. Foods rich in fatty acids. Such as pine nuts, black sesame seeds, melon seeds, and peanuts.
To correct and prevent postpartum constipation, in addition to eating the foods mentioned above daily, be sure to drink a glass of cool water on an empty stomach every morning and engage in appropriate activities to promote gastrointestinal movement.
4 Dietary Therapy Recipes for Postpartum Constipation
1. Cold-dressed Celery
Main ingredient: 250 grams of celery.
Ingredients: Salt, seasonings to taste.
Preparation method: Remove the roots and leaves from the celery, wash it, and cut it into 2 cm long sections. Blanch in boiling water until cooked, then remove and drain. Place in a bowl, mix in salt while hot, drizzle with sesame oil, mix well, and it is ready to eat.
2. Vinegar-Sautéed Cabbage
Main ingredient: 250 grams of cabbage.
Ingredients: 20 grams of vinegar, sugar, salt, soy sauce, scallions, oil as needed.
Preparation method: Wash the cabbage stalks, first cut them into 2 cm wide strips, then into 3 cm long diamond-shaped slices. Stir-fry in light oil until 80% cooked, then add soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, and starch water. Stir-fry until well mixed, then serve on a plate.
3. Sesame Porridge
Main ingredient: 2 liang (100g) of sesame seeds, 4 liang (200g) of japonica rice.
Preparation method: Wash the sesame seeds, roast them until cooked, and grind into a powder. Cook the sesame powder and japonica rice together in a pot with water to make a porridge. After the porridge is cooked, add sugar and mix well. It can be eaten twice daily and can be taken regularly.
4. Pine Nut and Glutinous Rice Porridge
Main ingredient: 30 grams of pine nuts, 50 grams of glutinous rice, honey as needed.
Preparation method: Mash the pine nuts into a paste. Cook it with glutinous rice and water over low heat until it reaches a thin, thick consistency. Stir in honey. Consume it warm in two doses, once on an empty stomach in the early morning and once before bedtime at night. Use for 3 consecutive days.