constipation and contractions

[theamberdawns]

If someone is constipated can that cause them to have contractions?

[bigbub3000]

contractions of what?

They used to give enemas to stimulate labor (or eliminate one impedance to labor's effective, that being stool in the lower bowel). Is that what you're asking?

[adpiRN]

Diarrhea can give you uterine contractions. I had a pt with diarrhea admitted for rule out pre-term labor b/c she felt contractions and we saw them on the monitor. No cervical change though, so I think she was sent home after more monitoring and IV hydration.

Not sure about constipation, but I would like it would be the opposite and NOT cause contractions.

But not really sure.

Why do you ask?

[babyktchr, BSN, RN]

constipation can cause a lot of issues, mostly being uncomfortable and the thought that you are having contractions. Has a patient once who was EXTREMEMLY constipated and she swore she was in labor. Her impaction was so great that you could not do a lady partsl exam because of the blockage. It was painful to even think about. We gave her two enemas and cleared her and she felt like a new woman, and she was not in labor. I have had many patients like this and you can feel it when you do vag exams. I can only imagine that it can certainly feel miserable like contractions.

[CMCRN]

Yes, constipation can cause uterine contractions and exacerbate preterm labor.