Is Constipation Worse With Twins? (And How to Get Relief)

When you’re expecting two, there’s a bit more going on inside that belly! And one of those extra fun (not!) symptoms is constipation. Keep reading to learn more about constipation in twin pregnancy and how you can find relief.

Expecting twins can be extra exciting but also extra overwhelming due to more intense pregnancy symptoms and the higher potential for complications.

If you’ve been feeling the effects of constipation during your twin pregnancy, you’re not alone! Inside this article, we’ll go over why you’re more likely to experience constipation with twins and what you can do to reduce the discomfort (including what other twin moms did!). 

Is it normal to feel constipation during pregnancy?

Yes, constipation is a completely normal part of pregnancy. One study found that nearly 1 in 3 pregnant women experience this pregnancy symptom. 

Here’s a look at the global percent of pregnant women that experienced constipation throughout the three trimesters of pregnancy:

• 1st trimester: 21%
• 2nd trimester: 34%
• 3rd trimester: 30%

What causes constipation in pregnancy?

There are several underlying causes that can lead you to experiencing constipation during your pregnancy. 

In the early stages of pregnancy (especially during the first trimester), your rising progesterone levels can be a huge culprit. When you’re pregnant, your progesterone levels are much higher than your baseline levels. 

Why does progesterone lead to constipation? Increased progesterone levels cause the muscles in your digestive system to relax. When this happens, digestion slows down and there’s more time for your intestines to absorb the water from your stool which can make you feel backed up and have more difficulty going to the bathroom. 

Outside of these hormonal changes (ugh!), your growing uterus puts additional pressure on your pelvic organs including your bowels, especially in your second and third trimester. 

On top of that, during pregnancy you are likely to have some changes in your diet and physical activity, which can lead to constipation. 

One more risk factor for intensified constipation during pregnancy is for women who have given birth to other children before. The reason for this is that they have a higher potential for already having damage of their pelvic floor and pudendal nerve, which plays a role in motor and sensory functions to the genitals, anus, perineum, and the pelvic floor.

Now, let’s look at constipation in twin pregnancy!

Is constipation worse with twins and multiples?

While each woman experiences pregnancy symptoms differently, yes, constipation tends to be worse in twin pregnancy. 

In a recent poll of our Twiniversity Instagram followers, we asked: During your twin pregnancy, how bad was your constipation? 

And here’s what responses looked like from nearly 200 responders:

• I didn’t have that symptom: 28%
• It wasn’t too bad: 26%
• It was a struggle: 33%
• It was awful: 13%

So why do twin moms face more intense constipation? There are a few reasons for this!

First, women who are pregnant with twins or higher order multiples are at a higher risk for anemia. Because of this, doctors often prescribe iron supplements for women pregnant with twins. (Iron supplementation can help with warding off iron-deficiency anemia). 

Unfortunately, one of the side effects of iron supplements is (you guessed it), constipation. 

What’s more is that twin pregnancies come with even higher levels of pregnancy hormones like progesterone and hCG, so symptoms like constipation tend to be even more intense. If you experience worse nausea and vomiting in your twin pregnancy, that can also make constipation worse because it can make you more dehydrated and make stool harder to pass. 

And of course, since you are growing two babies, your uterus will expand even more and put extra pressure on your bowels. 

So, how can you get relief from twin pregnancy constipation?

We recently asked our twin parent community:

For those who had somewhat rough or awful constipation in twin pregnancy, what helped you find relief?

(Of course, before trying any of these constipation remedies, be sure to consult your doctor first.)

Here’s what twin moms had to say:

“Movicol three times daily and Yakult.”

“Olly Prune gummies.”

“Miralax is the BEST.”

“Lots of spinach, kiwi, and veggies.”

“A daily stool softener.”

“Colace was my lifesaver!”

“Colace and coffee.”

“Miralax”

“Magnesium”

“Fiber pills.”

“Miralax daily!”

“Paw paw (papaya).”

“Miralax everyday with gatorade.”

“Glycerin suppositories were the only thing that worked for me.”

“Increasing water intake.”

“Acupuncture and coconut water.”

“Lots of movement, water, and fiber.”

All content on this website, including medical opinions and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

Want to know more about twin pregnancy health? Check out these articles too!

• Twin Pregnancy Nutrition: The Essentials
• When Twin Pregnancy Symptoms Ease: What’s Normal and What’s Not
• Your Guide to Coping With Twin Pregnancy Complications
• Twin Pregnancy Health
• What Was Your Worst Twin Pregnancy Symptom?

Latest Twiniversity Articles