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Colon Care

Finding Regularity Again
After Giving Birth

By Laura Cone

Adams says she would not recommend a woman have a colonic during the last trimester of pregnancy even though a woman may feel uncomfortable with constipation.

Adams says her method is gentle, but it's better to use precautions while pregnant. "There are a lot of products out there designed to help you get rid of accumulation," she says. "There are excellent products out there if you drink enough water."

She suggests using psyllium fiber, but cautions against taking it without adequate water. "You must drink enough water with it," she says. "If it says one glass, try two. Everybody is dehydrated anyway ... Water is very important." She also recommends consuming flaxseed and raw greens to promote good digestive health.

"One thing people can do that is very simple to increase their colon health is to just get more exercise," Adams says. "Gentle exercise is very important. If you have the baby in the house and can't get out, try a treadmill or just walking up and down the stairs a few hundred times."

She says people used to take what was called a daily constitutional, which was a morning walk to stimulate the colon. "It's about a 20- to 30-minute walk in the morning," she says. "Families used to go out together for their daily constitutional. We have lost that because the pace of life is so fast now. If you take a walk in the morning, it will help a lot."

Marie Micozzi of Robesonia, Penn., a colon hydrotherapist, says women who are breastfeeding should always check with their doctors before taking any kind of supplements or attempting an herbal colon cleanse. She recommends magnesium and fish oil.

"You always want to try to eat a healthy diet, vegetables and fruits," Micozzi says. "You always want to go with the diet first. And get the good fibers from your vegetables and fruits. Raw is always a very good way to eat food if the body will allow it, if your digestive system will allow it."

Want to see more?

• Check out our Article Library.
• Keep Your Digestive System on Track: Nutrition Tips from the Mayo Clinic
• Beyond Braxton Hicks and Nausea: Solutions for the Other Pregnancy Symptoms
• Liquid Health: Smart Nutrition for Thirsty Moms
• Talk about it!

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