Constipation is common at all stages of pregnancy. It can be relieved by increasing your intake of fluids, eating high fibre foods, for example wholemeal bread and wholegrain cereals, beans and pulses, fruit and vegetables, and becoming more active.

Iron tablets often make constipation worse, but it's not advisable to cut down your dosage or stop taking them without consulting your midwife or doctor first.

To get enough fibre you can eat 4 foods from the high fibre list below, if you are suffering from constipation or you wish to reduce the risk of becoming constipated, try to eat 6 foods from the following list each day.

High fibre foods:

• 3 tablespoons of muesli
• 5 tablespoons of branflakes
• 3 tablespoons of allbran
• 2 slices of wholemeal bread
• 2 pitta breads
• 1 chapati
• 4 dried apricots
• 2 dried figs
• 8 prunes
• 2 bananas
• 15 berries (blackberries and raspberries)
• 2 spears of broccoli and 2 tablespoons of carrots
• 2 tablespoons of boiled spinach
• 2 tablespoons of frozen peas

When consuming a high fibre diet it is important that you also consume 2 litres ( 3–4 pints) of water daily. If an adequate fluid intake is not possible it is best to avoid a high fibre diet.