I’m pregnant with my second, and I’m deep in the rediscovery phase—relearning all the tips I picked up last pregnancy and promptly forgot in the postpartum blur. I’m starting a series where I resurface some lesser-shared pregnancy wisdom.

First up: bowel movements.
Not as fun to talk about as which clothing brands carry all-organic maternity selections, I know. But trust me—this is one train you want to keep on schedule before it derails.

Make sure you’re doing the basics: eat plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Drink water steadily throughout the day. Take a walk every day, even a short one. These are the things we’re told to do anyway—but honestly, for some of us, that’s not enough.

During pregnancy, your metabolism slows down slightly to help your body absorb more nutrients from the food you eat. Hormones like progesterone also relax your digestive tract, which can cause food to move more slowly through your system. While this helps your baby get the most from each meal, it also means you’re more likely to deal with constipation if you’re not staying ahead of it.

Personally, I start my mornings with a heavy bran muffin alongside breakfast. I prefer to make my own using a simple recipe with honey instead of granulated sugar. Most store-bought muffins have more sugar or salt than needed—often added to help them stay fresh longer on the shelf. But especially if you’re eating bran for fiber, that extra sugar and salt doesn’t help the situation.

I bake a dozen at a time and freeze half to thaw later. It’s an easy habit that works for me.

Some people may prefer spinach smoothies or chia pudding. The important thing is to find something that fits into your routine and stick with it. Your digestion will thank you.