What laxatives can be used during pregnancy in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd trimesters?

During pregnancy, a woman often faces the problem of constipation. There is a very logical explanation for this; in the early stages, the hormonal background of the body changes, which negatively affects intestinal motility. In late pregnancy, pressure on all organs involved in digestion increases due to the growth of the fetus in the womb and excessive pressure on it. Then a laxative is used during pregnancy.

Timely bowel movements directly affect the condition and well-being of the expectant mother. With constipation, she feels uncomfortable and may experience pain in the lower abdomen, which will also negatively affect the baby. Moreover, a woman strains her abdominal muscles, which often leads to uterine tone and the threat of miscarriage. In such cases, it is necessary to resort to the use of medicines or traditional medicine methods.

Constipation during pregnancy: definition and main causes

Constipation is a disorder in the process of defecating stool. Constipation manifests itself in different ways: the frequency of bowel movements may decrease (less than 3 times a week), pain or difficulty may occur during the passage of stool, the intestines may be partially emptied, and a woman may need to help herself with bowel movements.

Constipation can occur due to various reasons. Pregnancy adds to these problems characteristic of this condition:

1. Drinking and eating disorders caused by toxicosis.
2. Compression of the intestines due to the increasing size of the uterus.
3. Using certain medications to maintain pregnancy that can cause constipation.
4. Increased production of progesterone, which supports pregnancy and at the same time reduces intestinal motility.
5. Taking iron supplements in case of anemia.

Benefits and harms

The drugs allow you to quickly (within 2 days maximum) solve the problem of constipation, but if used uncontrolled, they can cause harm. Even a natural herbal or fiber-based laxative for pregnant women is not always harmless.

Possible consequences of taking laxatives:

1. Some drugs work by stimulating the activity of the intestines, but here the same situation can arise as with progesterone, only in the opposite direction - by acting on the intestines, the drugs cause contractions of the uterus. The result is tone, miscarriage, premature birth.
2. Changes in water-salt balance, vitamin deficiency and dehydration with long-term use due to slower absorption of water and substances from the intestines or uncontrolled diarrhea.
3. Dysbacteriosis, as some drugs disrupt the intestinal microflora.
4. Flatulence, bloating, colic after using bulk or osmotic emollients, especially with prolonged constipation.
5. Impaired absorption of vitamin supplements and medications, which must be taken into account when taking them.

Is it possible to take laxatives during pregnancy?

In pharmacies you can find many medications for constipation for pregnant women: there are tablets, suppositories, drops, syrups, enemas and microenemas. All of them work on the principle of loosening feces, facilitating their movement through the intestines. A high-quality laxative for pregnant women does not penetrate the bloodstream and does not affect muscle fibers in any way, therefore it does not cause uterine contractions. Therefore, such laxatives can be taken for a long time. But such drugs should not be abused, as this can provoke subsequent difficulties in the process of defecation: the body may get used to such help and begin to cope worse with its natural functions. Therefore, only a doctor can prescribe a laxative for pregnant women, and the patient must strictly adhere to the regimen and duration of treatment.

Drug treatment

For pregnant women, pharmacists have developed a gentle laxative - prebiotics based on lactulose, inulin or fructo-oligosaccharides. A series of such medications are aimed at detoxification and enhancing intestinal motility.

At the same time, such drugs are not absorbed into the mother’s body, which means they do not enter the baby’s bloodstream through the umbilical vein. In addition, prebiotics normalize and restore intestinal microflora.

Preparations for softening stool are also suitable for women during pregnancy: Dufalak, Prelax, Forlax.

Also, microenemas, for example, Microlax, will come to the aid of pregnant women in solving the problem of constipation. Within 15 minutes the drug will begin to act. In this case, the medicine does not have to pass through the esophagus, stomach and entire intestines, which limits its absorption.

Approved drugs

What laxative can pregnant women use? There are several main types of medicines. Each group of drugs is characterized by different levels of safety and effectiveness.

Stool softeners

These laxatives affect the water in feces, increasing its volume. Due to this, feces slide more easily through the intestines. The laxative begins to act after 3-4 hours. This group includes the following drugs:

• Microlax is a solution for rectal administration; it is available in an easy-to-use form - in 5 ml tubes. The product stimulates the flow of water to the rectum and has a laxative effect. As a result, the feces liquefy within 5-20 minutes.
• Phytomucil. The drug is used as a food additive. Available in powder form, which contains homemade plum and psyllium seed husk. In addition, it contains fecal softeners, which effectively act on stagnant stool. In addition, the product stimulates the stomach, improves appetite and promotes a long feeling of fullness. Attention! Only a doctor can prescribe Fitomucil during pregnancy.
• Glycerin based suppositories. As a result of the oxidation of glycerol inside the human body, fecal matter softens and is easier to pass out. The undoubted advantage of such products is the possibility of use in both the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. Since suppositories act locally, their use is safe and does not cause inconvenience. It is important to remember that prolonged use of suppositories can irritate the surface of the rectum, so they should be used with caution.

Nuances of early choice

Laxatives for pregnant women should not have a teratogenic effect. The main rule for safe treatment of constipation is only the local action of the laxative in the intestinal lumen.

During early pregnancy, laxatives should not increase the tone of the uterus, since this condition is the main and most common cause of miscarriages in the first trimester. This indicates the impossibility of using the following drugs in the early stages of pregnancy:

• Having a strong effect that stimulates intestinal motility (sodium picosulfate, Bisacodyl suppositories).
• Herbs containing anthraglycosides (senna, buckthorn, rhubarb, zoster). Even laxative tea is prohibited for a pregnant woman.
• Salt laxatives due to the risk of developing water-electrolyte imbalance and impaired muscle tone on this basis (Magnesium sulfate, Carlsbad salt).

Allowed laxatives during pregnancy in the 1st trimester are drugs that act by osmosis on a natural basis (psyllium husk, macrogol), lactulose-based products, pre- and probiotics.

Also, for pregnant women in the early stages, one-time aid can be used - glycerin suppositories.

Psyllium seed husk

A safe laxative that has long been used to treat constipation, it is of natural origin and therefore considered relatively safe. The husk works like fiber - it accumulates liquid, making it heavier and softening feces, as well as facilitating the act of defecation by improving their sliding in the intestinal lumen.

The effect develops gradually and manifests itself on the 2-3rd day of administration. Among the side effects of the husk, the ability to aggravate the situation of constipation with insufficient fluid intake, as well as provoke bloating or a feeling of heaviness in the abdominal area, is considered. The use of such drugs during pregnancy should be agreed with a doctor.

• Mucofalk is a preparation based on the husk of Indian plantain seeds. Take 1 packet 2 times a day. The contents of the package are poured into a glass of water at room temperature, left for 5-10 minutes and taken orally. The drug, ready for administration, has the form of gelatin granules with an orange flavor. An important point - to treat constipation, taking the product should be accompanied by drinking a large volume of clean water - up to 2.5 liters per day. The price starts from 560 rubles per package containing 30 packets.
• Phyto-mucil is a mild laxative on a natural basis. It is a dietary supplement made from flea plantain seeds and homemade plum fruits. Reception regimen: 1 sachet 1 to 4 times per day, after mixing the contents of the sachet in half a glass of liquid - water, juice, kefir, tea. When treating with this drug, you must drink enough clean water. The price is from 310 rubles for 10 packages of the product.

Macrogol-based products

Macrogol is a locally acting polymer that can actively accumulate water. Taking this into account, osmotic laxatives based on macrogol can be used during pregnancy as prescribed by the attending physician, when the benefit to the mother outweighs the potential danger to the fetus. The substance acts cumulatively. The laxative effect is observed 24-48 hours after the start of use. Unlike other laxative drugs, it does not create the risk of developing a lack of electrolytes, and is also able to normalize the evacuation function of the intestines. Possible side effects are flatulence, a feeling of intestinal fullness, individual sensitivity reactions. During use, you should drink up to 2 liters of liquid per day.

• Transipeg is a preparation of macrogol 3500. Take 1 packet per day after first dissolving the contents in half a glass of water. It is preferable to drink the product in the morning, half an hour after breakfast. Costs about 600 rubles.
• Forlax – macrogol 400. Take 1 packet per day. Dissolve the contents of the package in 200 ml of water. It is advisable to drink a glass of clean water or other liquid within 15 minutes after taking it. The instructions allow taking the product for up to 3 months, after agreement with a specialist. The price of 10 packages is 150-180 rubles.

Single use products

When it is not possible to consult with a leading doctor about what kind of laxative can be used for pregnant women, but constipation has already occurred and urgent help is needed, quick-acting drugs based on glycerol will help. It stimulates intestinal peristalsis reflexively, softens stool, lubricates the rectal mucosa, promoting fast and effective bowel movements. Glycerol is a locally active substance that is approved for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and for children from birth. The use of glycerin preparations at home is rarely accompanied by side effects if the specified dosage is observed.

• Glycerin suppositories - use 1 suppository per day, as needed. It is preferable to use the candle in the morning, half an hour after breakfast, but options are possible. You should not exceed the dose or abuse the use of suppositories due to the risk of developing addiction and reducing natural peristalsis. Price – about 60 rubles.
• Adulax - contains liquid glycerol. It is an approved remedy during pregnancy, for the same reasons as glycerin suppositories. The microenemas are administered once a day when constipation occurs. The effect of the drug appears within 10-15 minutes after rectal administration. Costs about 300 rubles.

Laxatives prohibited for pregnant women

There are laxatives that expectant mothers are strictly prohibited from taking. Therefore, it is necessary to select a laxative for pregnant women only under the supervision of a doctor.

Stimulants

This group of laxatives acts on the nerve endings in the intestines within 6-12 hours after administration, stimulating peristalsis. As a result, stool passes quickly. However, it is not recommended to take this kind of laxative during pregnancy, as it provokes uterine spasms and is absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract. Some doctors believe that stimulant laxatives are not only too aggressive, but also exhibit teratogenic properties, and therefore should not be used during pregnancy or in any other cases.

This group includes the following tools:

1. Dulcolax, Bisacodyl, Guttalax, Phenolphthalein, Laxabene, Sodium Picosulfate, etc.;
2. herbal remedies based on senna leaves, rhubarb root, buckthorn bark, Senade.

Lubricating laxatives

Drugs of this type are not absorbed by the digestive system themselves, but can interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. The most famous representative of this group is castor oil.

Preventing constipation while pregnant

To avoid constipation in pregnant women, experts recommend following preventive measures that you should pay attention to:

• adjust your diet, enrich it with vitamins and exclude fatty foods;
• monitor your water balance, drink 1 glass of water on an empty stomach;
• lead an active lifestyle, engage in physical exercise for pregnant women;
• walk in the fresh air more often;
• have a positive attitude and avoid stressful situations.

Taking pills for constipation is much easier, but you should think several times about their harm to the baby, because during pregnancy it is better not to experiment with your body. Doctors recommend an alternative option - to get rid of fecal stagnation with the help of food. It is no secret that most products have a laxative effect, and their consumption will also be beneficial for the intestinal microflora.

You can replace medications with the following:

• dairy products;
• apricots and plums;
• cucumbers and zucchini;
• foods containing large amounts of fiber.

It is not recommended to use traditional medicine recipes for constipation during pregnancy, especially herbal infusions. It is better to leave the advice of girlfriends aside; you need to rely only on the recommendations of a highly qualified specialist. You should not be embarrassed about a delicate issue regarding intestinal problems; you need to ask your doctor what laxatives you can use while pregnant. Remember that only you can take care of your health and protect your child from unpleasant consequences.

How can you replace a laxative during pregnancy?

It also happens that changing your diet and lifestyle already helps to stop constipation in expectant mothers. Therefore, before prescribing medications to combat constipation, the gynecologist will advise the following measures:

• Increase the fiber content in your diet through fresh fruits and vegetables, grain products (whole grain bread, wheat bran).
• Exercise for at least 20-30 minutes two to three times a week. You can try yoga, swimming or walking.
• Drink more liquid – up to 2 liters per day. It is recommended to drink clean water while limiting salt intake to avoid swelling.
• Take probiotics (found in pharmaceutical preparations and some foods) to normalize the intestinal microflora and improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract in general.
• Don't delay going to the toilet.
• Divide the daily dose of iron supplements, if necessary, into several smaller doses and take them with plenty of water.

Basic nutritional rules to follow during pregnancy

• You need to drink plenty of water.
  Even if a woman has edema, she should not consume less than 1 liter of water. Insufficient fluid intake causes the body to “store” water. Drink 1.5 liters of water per day - if you drink this volume fractionally and gradually, this will not affect the formation of edema.
• Be sure to have breakfast.
  When a person wakes up and gets out of bed, the so-called orthostatic reflex is triggered - the work of internal organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, is activated. When food or water enters the body, the lower sections of the gastrointestinal tract also begin to work more actively. Thus, when you have breakfast, two reflexes are simultaneously launched in your body, which have a beneficial effect on the digestive system as a whole. Breakfast should contain complex carbohydrates, as it switches night metabolism to daytime and promotes bowel movements.
• Take food 5-6 times a day in small portions.
  An enlarged uterus puts pressure on the stomach. If you eat small portions
• Be sure to include delicate fiber in your diet:
  zucchini, cauliflower, boiled carrots, pumpkin, beets, prunes, dried apricots. Salads containing these foods may be a good option.
• Cottage cheese is important for the nutrition of pregnant women
  , as it provides the calcium necessary for the body during this period. However, you need to remember that cottage cheese itself can cause constipation. Therefore, add fruits or vegetables to the cottage cheese, which, on the contrary, will not allow the cottage cheese to slow down the intestines: soaked prunes, dried apricots, grated apple or carrots, baked or boiled pumpkin.

Recipes for laxative dishes

A harmless laxative for pregnant women can be made at home from familiar products:

Carrot-beet salad

1. You will need 200 g of carrots, 600 g of beets, 700 ml of boiling water.
2. Root vegetables are thoroughly washed and cleaned.
3. Then the vegetables are placed in a pan.
4. Pour boiling water over.
5. In the evening they are brought to half-ready.
6. In the morning, vegetables need to be grated on a coarse grater.
7. The resulting mass and decoction are divided into three parts.

How to use:

• Before breakfast, you should drink 1 part of the decoction on an empty stomach. The first part of the vegetable mass is eaten after 30 minutes with breakfast.
• About half an hour before lunch, part of the broth is taken again, vegetables are eaten for lunch with other dishes.
• Do the same before dinner.

Vegetable salad with vegetable oil and prunes

Required:

1. 100 g fresh carrots,
2. 100 g fresh beets,
3. 300 g fresh white cabbage,
4. several prunes,
5. vegetable oil to taste,
6. a little lemon juice (optional)

Cooking method:

• Shred the cabbage.
• Peel the root vegetables and grate them fresh on a coarse grater.
• Stir the vegetables.
• Crush them well with your hands to release the juice.
• Pre-soak the prunes for a short time, cut into pieces and add to the vegetables.
• Pour oil over the salad and sprinkle with lemon juice.
• You should not add salt and pepper to the dish.

Along with other traditional medicine, such a laxative for pregnant women is good for relieving constipation, helping to improve intestinal activity and, accordingly, the well-being of the expectant mother.

Why do pregnant women often suffer from constipation?

About half of women complain of constipation when carrying a child. There are several reasons for this:

1. An increase in the level of the hormone progesterone, which is designed to relax the muscles of the uterus to avoid premature birth. However, it has the same effect on the gastrointestinal tract, since the smooth fibers of the intestinal muscles are similar to those of the uterus. The result is slower motor skills.
2. The pressure of the growing uterus on the rectum, especially in a sitting position, leads to bowel dysfunction. The longer the term, the worse the situation.
3. Another culprit of constipation is an increase in iron content in the body. The daily requirement for iron in pregnant and lactating women is 27 mg, which is twice the normal amount. For this reason, it is recommended to take additional iron supplements during pregnancy and after childbirth. But high iron levels in the body can cause constipation.
4. Increased anxiety, complete lack of exercise and a low fiber diet.

Foods with laxative properties

Here is a list of products that can be used as a laxative during pregnancy:

1. bran bread;
2. various cereals;
3. prunes, dried apricots, figs;
4. dried fruits;
5. pumpkin;
6. peaches;
7. boiled and fresh beets;
8. tomatoes;
9. sauerkraut with brine;
10. apples;
11. citrus fruits (tangerines, etc.);
12. bananas;
13. kiwi;
14. full fat milk;
15. fresh kefir.

Constipation in pregnant women is considered a normal physiological phenomenon that can be easily treated. It is recommended to change your diet and lifestyle, but if this does not improve the situation, you will need to consult a doctor. The gynecologist will select harmless, effective remedies to combat constipation.

Which laxative is acceptable to take during pregnancy is a difficult question, since there are drugs that stimulate uterine contractions or block the absorption of nutrients from food.

ethnoscience

Of the many traditional medicine recipes for constipation, not everyone is suitable for a pregnant woman. When choosing a recipe, you should not immediately resort to herbal preparations.

The best remedy for constipation during pregnancy is to follow a diet. If the problem appears only periodically, once and goes away quite quickly, then simply adjust your diet:

• one apple a day will facilitate the process of bowel movement;
• dried fruit compote, in addition to being high in vitamins, will also help to quickly cope with constipation;
• kiwi is a universal, potent laxative, so you need to be careful with this product during pregnancy;
• kefir normalizes intestinal function. But it should only be fresh (1-2 days). “Older” kefir can only aggravate the situation;
• potato juice diluted with water;
• salads from fresh vegetables - beets, cabbage, carrots. Vegetable stew will also improve peristalsis;
• 1 teaspoon of flaxseed oil in the morning on an empty stomach works wonders. Other oils (corn, olive) will also help relieve constipation.

Constipation during pregnancy is quite common. And the main reason is dehydration. It is logical to assume that dehydration is treated by administering large amounts of fluids. Simply put, it is recommended to drink more water.

In the early stages of pregnancy there is no critical swelling yet, so a woman can easily afford to drink one and a half to two liters of purified water during the day.