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Otherwise known as ‘roughage’, fibre is found in foods derived from plants. It cannot be easily digested and absorbed by our bodies and so it stays in the bowel, providing roughage. It can be broken down to some extent by bacteria in the large bowel and some of these breakdown products can be absorbed and used as a source of energy. Because it provides roughage for the bowel – aiding the process of peristalsis (contractions in the bowel) by which the food is pushed through the gut. Fibre is important in ensuring that bowel function is normal and in preventing constipation. This is especially important in pregnancy when your bowel function often slows down. Many women thus find constipation a problem during pregnancy, and eating a fibrerich diet is very good at preventing this.

You should therefore eat foods with a high-fibre content, such as wholemeal bread, pasta and fruit. However, if you increase your fibre intake suddenly, you may find that you feel bloated and have excess wind, so it is better to increase your intake gradually. You should also ‘match’ the increase in fibre with an increase in fluid intake, preferably water.