You may be unable to pass stools, have difficulty passing stools, or be passing dry, hard stools. Even women who have never suffered from constipation before can suffer from it in the second and third trimesters. This is because the hormones of pregnancy relax the bowel and it is not as effective in moving stool through your colon. It may also be due to the pressure that your enlarging uterus is placing on your colon. You can avoid constipation and soften your stools by making sure to drink plenty of water and eating lots of high fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains, or taking a fiber supplement. You can stimulate a bowel movement by drinking prune juice or drink a hot liquid immediately followed by a cold one.