Fast-acting laxative for pregnant women. Laxatives during pregnancy. Types of laxatives

Carrying a child can be a magical time for a woman, but for some, this period is more remembered for difficulties and disruptions in the body's functioning. Fluid retention, weight gain, back pain, chest pain, swollen ankles, extreme fatigue and digestive problems often accompany pregnancy. Some troubles can only be tolerated, but many, such as constipation, are completely treatable.

Bowel movements should not occur less frequently than every other day, otherwise feces will accumulate. Laxatives for pregnant women have special requirements - they must not only be effective, but also safe for the body of the mother and the unborn child.

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

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.
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.
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.
Increased anxiety, complete lack of exercise and a low fiber diet.

Can pregnant women take laxatives?

Any drug is subject to research and clinical trials, including on humans. Pregnant women do not participate in them for ethical reasons, so strong or prescription drugs are not recommended for pregnant women due to the unpredictability of the consequences.

The safest laxatives during pregnancy are those that are poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. These are, in particular, preparations containing dietary fiber and lactulose.

Is it possible to take a laxative during pregnancy or should you give it up in favor of diet and exercise? First of all, you need to pay attention to lifestyle and nutrition. Laxative products for pregnant women can help you get rid of the unpleasant and annoying problem of constipation. But in cases where diet does not help, you cannot do without pharmaceuticals.

Contrary to popular belief, the main danger of constipation during pregnancy is not intoxication with waste products, but compression and tension of internal organs. The result of this is hemorrhoids and premature birth.

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:

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 a miscarriage.
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.
Dysbacteriosis, as some drugs disrupt the intestinal microflora.
Flatulence, bloating, colic after using bulk or osmotic emollients, especially with prolonged constipation.
Impaired absorption of vitamin supplements and medications, which must be taken into account when taking them.

What medications can you take?

What laxative can pregnant women use? There are several main types of drugs. Each group of laxatives has varying levels of effectiveness and safety when used during pregnancy.

Fecal softeners

Laxatives increase the amount of water in the stool and make it easier to pass, allowing it to slide. The required effect is achieved in 3-4 hours. This group includes glycerin suppositories; for pregnant women they are valuable for their safety, exclusively local action and the ability to avoid straining during bowel movements, which is problematic when carrying a child. Vaseline and almond oil for oral administration are also emollients. Potentially, these drugs can stimulate the uterus, so you should carefully monitor your body's reaction when taking them.

Bulk laxatives (cellulose, dietary fiber)

They can be used for a long time, including during pregnancy, since they are not absorbed in the digestive system. They contain hydrophilic fibers that swell with water, they soften feces. The effect is visible after a day, but generally such drugs act after 2-3 days and require simultaneous intake of liquid (1-1.5 l). Methycellulose is one of these products.

Osmotic laxatives

They work by increasing water in the stool, they soften it and stimulate the intestines. Osmotic laxatives for pregnant women are safe for short-term use; long-term use can lead to electrolyte imbalance.

This group of drugs includes:

Fortrans, Endofalk, Forlax. These macrogol-based products cause stool to become saturated with water and restore the sensitivity of nerve endings to intestinal contents. They are not absorbed, do not irritate tissues, and do not affect microflora.
Duphalac, Lactusan, Normaze, Normolakt, Inulin. Prebiotics interact with natural microflora, in addition to softening stool, they help the development of beneficial bacterial cultures in the intestines.
Salt products: magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate, magnesium hydroxide. They are not absorbed, they attract water into the intestines from surrounding tissues, thereby softening the stool. This group of osmotic laxatives is not recommended during pregnancy as it may cause uterine contractions.

According to reviews, the fastest-acting laxatives during pregnancy are emollients, and the safest for use at home are bulk laxatives. Osmotic drugs are prescribed by a gynecologist only if other drugs do not help.

Laxatives prohibited during pregnancy

You should not choose a laxative without consulting a doctor, because many drugs are strictly prohibited to take during pregnancy.

Stimulant laxatives

Within 6-12 hours, the nerve endings of the intestine are stimulated, after which its peristalsis quickly copes with the excretion of feces. They are not recommended for use during pregnancy because they stimulate uterine spasms and are partially absorbed in the digestive system. According to many scientists, they are too aggressive and have potential teratogenic properties, and therefore should not be used not only during pregnancy, but also in other cases.

TO such means include:

herbal preparations based on buckthorn bark, senna leaves, senade, rhubarb root;
medicines Dulcolax, Phenolphthalein, Bisacodyl, Guttalax, Sodium Picosulfate, Laxabene and others.

Lubricating laxatives

They are not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but may block the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. The most famous representative of this type of laxative is castor oil.

How to replace laxatives

Very often, adjustments to diet and lifestyle are enough to combat constipation during pregnancy, so the gynecologist, before prescribing laxatives, recommends trying the following methods:

A high fiber diet including fresh fruits, vegetables and grains (whole grain bread, wheat bran).
Increasing the amount of fluid you drink to 2 liters per day. It is desirable that it be clean water. It is also necessary to limit salt intake to avoid swelling.
Exercise 2-3 times a week for 20-30 minutes. This could be walking, swimming or yoga.
If you need to take iron supplements, divide your daily intake into smaller doses to take throughout the day with water.
Probiotics (in foods or pharmaceuticals) help normalize intestinal microflora and improve gastrointestinal function.
Regularly visiting the toilet at the first urge.

Dishes with a laxative effect can be prepared from prunes, dried apricots, and beets.

Constipation during pregnancy is a normal physiological phenomenon that can be treated. Changes in diet and lifestyle are recommended first, but if there is no progress, you should consult a gynecologist who recommends safe medications.

What kind of laxative you can use during pregnancy is a difficult question, since some medications can cause uterine contractions or reduce the absorption of nutrients. Stool softeners and bulk laxatives are considered the safest. If they do not help, take osmotic laxatives, but only for a short course. Stimulants and lubricants are not recommended during pregnancy.

I like!

Constipation during pregnancy is quite common and common. But very, very undesirable. Despite the fact that not all pregnant women can avoid the problem, it requires mandatory permission. After all, this not only brings discomfort to the expectant mother, but also poses a danger to the fetus.

However, you should never take any laxative (even of medicinal origin) on your own! The fact is that widely used drugs cause a sharp increase in intestinal motility, which can provoke a miscarriage. In addition, they have pronounced side effects in the form of increased pain and intestinal spasms, loss of fluid and salts (electrolytes) when loose stools occur. Such laxatives disrupt the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and destroy normal intestinal flora. These drugs can be partially absorbed by the mother's blood and enter the fetus through the placenta.

Of particular danger are saline solutions that have a laxative effect - solutions of magnesium (magnesium), sodium and potassium, Carlsbad salt and others. Their use is contraindicated during pregnancy, as they disrupt the water-salt balance of a pregnant woman and can lead to serious side effects. But among them there is the only remedy allowed during this period - lactulose.

Fatty lubricants that soften stool, unfortunately, are also not suitable for a pregnant woman. These are predominantly mineral oils, which, when taken for a long time, interfere with the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, K.

To all that has been said, it should be added that long-term use of laxatives contributes to the development of addiction and intensification. So, all traditional laxatives (senna and aloe leaves, rhubarb root, buckthorn bark, joster fruits, castor oil, bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate and many others) are strictly contraindicated for pregnant women!

What laxatives can be taken by pregnant women?

But, fortunately, today there are a number of medications that are very safe for pregnant women. They are aimed at loosening feces and facilitating their movement through the intestines. These laxatives contain derivatives of cellulose and polysaccharides; they attract fluid from surrounding tissues into the intestine; most often, such drugs are not absorbed, do not enter the bloodstream, and are relatively neutral in their effect on the entire body. The main condition for a laxative used during pregnancy: it should not cause uterine contractions and it should be possible to use for a long period of time.

Most often, pregnant women are prescribed Duphalac for constipation. There are also many other drugs for liquefying stool and stimulating bowel movements: Tranzipek, Forlax, Normolakt, Prelax and others.

But remember that it is necessary to resort to medications only in extreme cases, in the presence of hereditary or acquired diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. And appropriate treatment should only be prescribed by a specialist.

If you suffer from constipation, try to follow the recommendations that will help eliminate the problem or at least partially cope with it. And the most reasonable thing, of course, would be to think in advance about preventing stool retention during pregnancy.

You should move more, exclude strengthening foods from your diet, and instead increase the amount of plant fiber in the menu.

Traditional laxatives for pregnant women

Actually, the folk treatment of constipation during pregnancy is based mainly on the consumption of products with laxative and carminative properties. Because, despite the huge arsenal of medicinal plants that can effectively combat constipation and have a pronounced laxative effect, all of them are prohibited for use by expectant mothers. If the problem of constipation is “fresh”, stool retention is not yet critical, and the doctor has not prescribed medication for you, or you yourself do not want to resort to the help of pharmaceutical drugs, then you need to turn to the services of certain food products. The following products will help activate intestinal motility, stimulate bowel movements, and soften stool:

prunes: you can simply eat a few steamed prunes or add them to beets, preparing a tasty and healthy salad. But the most effective is prune infusion: pour 5-6 berries of pre-washed prunes with a glass of boiling water in the evening and leave to infuse until the morning. In the morning on an empty stomach, drink compote and eat it with berries;
beet: In addition to salad with prunes, raw or boiled beets can be combined with a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, eaten separately or as an addition to main courses;
apple: eating a raw apple every day will make bowel movements easier and diversify your diet;
kiwi: this small tropical fruit is famous for its very pronounced laxative effect, and therefore during pregnancy you should eat kiwi with caution - it is a potent drug;
brew: dried fruit compote is a highly concentrated vitamin drink. But if you prepare it from dried apples and cherries (1 glass of fruit per 1 liter of water), then such a compote will also help in the fight against constipation. And after steeping in boiling water, the berries must be eaten;
kefir: Only fresh kefir, prepared no more than 2-3 days ago, has a laxative effect, and best of all - today. The older drink, on the contrary, strengthens you, so this kefir should not be consumed if you suffer from constipation. For constipation, it is useful to drink kefir both at night and in the morning on an empty stomach;
milk: Cow's milk itself does not help much with constipation, although the high percentage of fat content does help soften the stool. But in folk medicine, this product in combination with others helps fight fecal retention. Boil 2 chopped figs in a glass of milk and take this “medicine” 4 times a day - a quarter glass at a time. Or you can do it simpler: just dissolve half a spoon of honey in a third glass of milk and drink it at night;
potato: squeeze the juice from two raw potatoes (you can use a juicer or grate them) and dilute it halfway with boiled water. The resulting drink should be drunk 60 minutes before meals;
flax seed oil: very rich and saturated with useful substances, and if you consume a spoonful of oil on an empty stomach every morning, it will also contribute to a softer natural bowel movement. It is useful to use a variety of oils: olive, corn, pumpkin, walnut.

All these remedies can be used without worry during pregnancy. But it is also necessary to remember that the best of them will always remain water - simple, purified, living (not boiled or distilled). Make sure to drink enough of this water daily. It is useful to drink 1-2 glasses 40-60 minutes before each meal.

Almost all women experience constipation while carrying a long-awaited baby. Constipation is an extremely undesirable phenomenon for any person, and during pregnancy it is necessary to combat it, because in this case we are talking about the health of the growing fetus. A laxative for pregnant women helps many women with this.

During pregnancy Guttalax Beetroot and carrots
laxatives at the doctor's level
contractions nursing pulls

But many women are afraid to treat an “inconvenient” problem with medication, doubting whether pregnant women can take a laxative?

Have to take it often

Are these drugs allowed?

Which laxatives can be taken by pregnant women and which cannot – should be decided by the doctor in charge of the “interesting situation”. Independence in resolving this issue is unacceptable. Even the most popular drugs have many side effects and can harm the embryo.

Not only medications can solve the problem of constipation. There are natural laxatives that you can take while pregnant. Among them:

drinking water without gas (up to 8 glasses/day) is a simple and at the same time the safest laxative for pregnant women;
vegetable oil (1 tablespoon on an empty stomach);
other vegetable oils: flaxseed, undiluted vegetable oil, castor oil;
cereals, vegetables, fruits rich in fiber, as well as bran bread;
beet;
some drinks: fresh or simply “today’s” kefir, dried fruit compote, plum juice, carrot juice, aloe and radish juice, sauerkraut brine;
infusions prepared from licorice root with rhubarb, dill with cumin, made using prunes or figs;
herbs and infusions: chamomile, flax seeds, senna leaves, licorice.

Contraindications to taking such drugs.

Should not be taken without medical advice.
If saline solutions (magnesium, sodium solution) are used as laxatives for pregnant women.
If you plan to use herbal tea (herbal tea) for constipation as a remedy for constipation during pregnancy.
It is prohibited to take drugs that irritate the intestines (castor oil, aloe juice and many others).
In case of hypersensitivity to a certain drug.
The presence of a hernia on the anterior wall of the peritoneal space.
For some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal obstruction, the use of these drugs is strictly contraindicated.
They can help with constipation, but many oil-based products are not recommended for pregnant women.

Possible risks and dangers

saline solutions consumed orally will, at a minimum, disrupt the optimal water-salt balance of the expectant mother’s body;
Many herbal teas for constipation, although sold in pharmacies without a prescription, can cause harm to the embryo due to the fact that they have side effects;
laxatives, which have an irritating effect on the intestinal mucosa, are dangerous due to abdominal pain, bloating, and even with a single use can lead to diarrhea;
vegetable oil is a natural and also a very effective laxative, however, it also has contraindications for use; few people know that vegetable oil cannot be taken orally by those suffering from cholelithiasis;
a laxative that is not recommended specifically for pregnant women is any prepared product based on oils; such preparations interfere with the absorption of vitamins and for this reason are not suitable for use by expectant mothers, who, as a rule, suffer from a deficiency of nutrients in the body;
castor oil is considered by many to be a good laxative for late pregnant women, but in fact, taking it can significantly speed up the onset of labor, which is not always desirable;
seaweed has a mild laxative effect, so it will help many to do without the use of medications, but not for those who suffer from nephritis or have contraindications for taking iodine-containing drugs;
the most popular laxative “Duphalac” (especially recommended in the early stages of an “interesting situation”) aggravates flatulence, and therefore is not suitable for every woman.

Only a specialist can determine whether pregnant women can take a laxative.

Guttalax - triarylmethane derivative

There are drugs whose effect on pregnant women has not been studied (for example, Guttalax), naturally, it is better to avoid using this kind of medicine.

The best drugs

Drug name	Action	Release form
Duphalac	When mixed with water, lactulose swells in the intestines, leads to an increase in the volume of stool, and also significantly thins it. The drug is not absorbed by the intestines, i.e. it has a local effect.	Ready-made syrup (15 ml sachets) or powder for mixing with water yourself.
Rectal suppositories with glycerin	A local drug that softens stool and helps automatically remove it from the colon.	Candles.
Microlax	Increases the volume of feces and softens it.	Solution, microenemas 5 ml.
Normolakt	Similar to Duphalac.	Syrup.
Phenolphthalein	Stimulates intestinal motility.	Pills.

The choice of laxatives for constipation for pregnant women is currently quite diverse.

Among the most effective and safe drugs, lactulose-based products (Duphalac, Normolakt) occupy a special place.
When using various laxative suppositories for pregnant women, side effects have also never been observed; they are completely safe for the health of the expectant mother and the growing fetus.
You should not refuse laxative pills for pregnant women, if they have been prescribed by a doctor. Tablets are prescribed much less frequently than other dosage forms, but if the doctor’s choice has fallen on them, then they are best suited for you.

Traditional methods of therapy

Beets and carrots will help cope with the problem

You can prepare an excellent laxative for pregnant women at home.

Beetroot and carrot recipe:

take 600 g of beets, 200 g of carrots, 700 g of boiling water;
Wash and peel the beets and carrots thoroughly;
place vegetables in a saucepan;
pour boiling water;
Boil in the evening until half cooked;
In the morning, grate all the vegetables on a coarse grater;
divide them into three parts;
The broth is also divided into three parts.

Application.

Before breakfast, drink the first part of the broth on an empty stomach, and half an hour later, eat one part of the boiled, chopped vegetables with breakfast.
30-40 minutes before lunch, drink part of the vegetable broth again, and eat carrots and beets along with the main lunch dishes.
Half an hour before dinner, do the same.

Vegetable salad with prunes and vegetable oil:

300 g fresh white cabbage;
100 g fresh carrots;
100 g fresh beets;
a few pieces of prunes;
lemon juice to taste (optional);
vegetable oil to taste.

Preparation.

Shred the cabbage.
Grate fresh peeled beets and carrots on a coarse grater.
Mix the vegetables well.
Mash with your hands to release the juice.
Add pre-soaked prunes, cut into pieces.
Season the salad with lemon juice and vegetable oil.
The dish should not be salted or peppered.

This laxative for pregnant women, along with other folk remedies for constipation, will help improve intestinal activity in the shortest possible time, as well as improve well-being.

What products will relieve the disease?

The best foods are those that contain a lot of fiber.

Let's look at foods that are considered laxatives for pregnant women:

fresh (today's) kefir;
milk with a high percentage of fat content;
dried fruits: prunes, figs, dried apricots;
beets, boiled or fresh;
tomatoes;
pumpkin;
apples;
kiwi;
bananas;
peaches;
tangerines, as well as other citrus fruits;
bran bread;
cereals;
sauerkraut, brine from it.

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Attention!

The information published on the website is for informational purposes only and is intended for informational purposes only. Site visitors should not use them as medical advice! The site editors do not recommend self-medication. Determining the diagnosis and choosing a treatment method remains the exclusive prerogative of your attending physician! Remember that only complete diagnosis and therapy under the supervision of a doctor will help you completely get rid of the disease!

Often one of the causes of concern for a woman during pregnancy is intestinal dysfunction and regular constipation. The situation is complicated by the fact that not all laxative medications are acceptable during pregnancy. How to help the body work properly?

The child inside the mother is rapidly developing and growing. Along with it, the uterus also enlarges, which affects all the organs that surround it. So, under the pressure of the uterus, the intestines are compressed and pushed apart, which affects its work.

In addition, during pregnancy, a woman's production of the hormone progesterone increases. Since it has a relaxing effect on the contractility of not only the uterus, but also the intestines, “food waste” does not move well through the intestines, resulting in constipation.

Worries and worries can also affect the functioning of internal organs. Sometimes constipation appears because a woman is simply nervous.

Often during pregnancy, doctors recommend taking additional calcium and iron. Of course, not in vain - the benefits of these minerals cannot be underestimated. But iron and calcium supplements have one common side effect - they cause constipation.

There may be indirect causes of constipation, which lie in the lifestyle of the expectant mother: little exercise, dry snacks, few vegetables and fruits in the diet.

Pros and cons of taking laxatives

Constipation is not just a nuisance. Feces accumulate in the intestines, and this also has consequences:

Intoxication of the mother, the passage of toxins through the blood to the fetus.
Increased pressure on the uterus can cause uterine hypertonicity.
Blood vessels are compressed, which can lead to hemorrhoids (see treatment of hemorrhoids in pregnant women).

Therefore, it is necessary to help the intestines get rid of unnecessary accumulations. This does not mean that pregnant women can use laxatives uncontrollably. Firstly, some of them are contraindicated during pregnancy, as they can provoke uterine contractions. Secondly, in most cases these drugs should not be taken regularly: some are addictive, others contribute to dehydration and loss of salts necessary for the body.

What laxatives can you take during pregnancy?

There is no single algorithm for getting rid of constipation. Often, drugs with a laxative effect are addictive, and the body stops responding to it properly. Therefore, you have to alternate different medications, and only a specialist can calculate the appropriate regimen for taking them. In different situations, the doctor may recommend suppositories, suspension, or enema.

Preparations based on lactulose

Drugs in this group are considered the safest and most effective laxatives during pregnancy. They pass through the digestive tract without interfering with the body's chemical processes. Only in the intestines do they begin their activity: they are broken down by bacteria, which leads to the formation of acids. These, in turn, dilute the contents of the intestines, causing them to slightly increase in volume, and the intestines contract to the required extent, removing swollen feces.

Based lactulose disaccharide such drugs as “Duphalak”, “Portalak”, “Normaze”, “Dinolak”, “Romphalak”, “Goodlak”, “Lactulose Poslabin” have been developed.

All these drugs have a common method of action, they are acceptable for regular use and are allowed during pregnancy.

However, these mild laxatives have some disadvantages during pregnancy:

You will have to wait about a day for the laxative effect;
Lactulose promotes the formation of gases, which leads to bloating, so you should first take half the dosage indicated in the instructions, and the next day, if necessary and if you feel well, take the full dose of the drug.

In this regard, the drug “Dinolak” has a certain advantage: it contains simethicone. This active substance helps reduce gas formation; it is not absorbed and leaves the body without losing its original appearance.

Additionally, lactulose medications may not be safe for those who suffer from high blood sugar or lactose intolerance. Diabetics need to consult a doctor, and those who are lactose intolerant should be guided by their well-being.

Laxative suppositories for pregnant women

Suppositories containing oil or Vaseline are considered safe and effective. They have a local effect, however, they are not recommended in the first trimester. Otherwise, there are almost no side effects, and the result of taking it comes quite quickly - within half an hour.

Another quick remedy for constipation. This method is only valid from the second trimester until the 36th week. However, if the previous pregnancy was terminated, it is better to abandon this option for treating constipation.

If there is a threat of miscarriage or pain in the lower abdomen or bleeding, you should also avoid enemas.

If no other options help, then an enema is an acceptable option with the permission of the doctor. The volume of the pear should not exceed half a liter, and the temperature of the liquid should be 3-5 degrees above body temperature. It is advisable to add Vaseline. It is better to do an enema in the morning, no more than once a week.

Microenemas (for example, Microlax) are available for sale. They can be safely used by all pregnant women.

Laxatives contraindicated during pregnancy

There are medications that pregnant women should remove from their medicine cabinet. These include some types of laxatives.

Irritating intestinal walls

This type of drugs represents the largest part of laxatives. The first reason why pregnant women should not take them is that excessive intestinal irritation creates a risk of miscarriage. In addition, due to constant tension, intestinal receptors are depleted and their tone decreases. The drug is addictive, the previous dose no longer works, and bowel movements are accompanied by pain. If a woman used these products before pregnancy, then when carrying a child she needs to give them up.

Sometimes a doctor, under his own supervision, may prescribe Regulax, but it is better to make sure that this is the only and truly necessary way to get rid of constipation.

It would be a big mistake to assume that herbs belonging to this group are safer. This is not the case, so it is better to remove senna leaves, rhubarb root, castor oil and other drugs of this kind from the options under consideration. They can harm the pregnant woman herself and lead to pregnancy failure or the development of deformities in the fetus.

Swelling laxatives

These drugs absorb water from nearby tissues, swell and stretch the intestinal walls. This pressure increases the risk of miscarriage.

In addition, taking such a drug implies a large intake of fluids and their retention. Considering the tendency for edema in pregnant women and possible disruptions in the urinary system, this is not a suitable option.

Saline solutions

Preparations containing magnesium, Carlsbad salt, sodium and potassium. These minerals can also cause unwanted uterine contractions. In addition, taking these drugs can disrupt the water-salt balance and lead to dehydration.

What else can be done for constipation in pregnant women?

It is important to remember that pills usually do not solve the problem of constipation itself. Therefore, you may need to change something in your eating habits.

You need to include dried fruits and compotes made from them in your diet. Prunes, like dried apricots, are known for their laxative properties. It is better to replace chocolate with them, which should be avoided altogether. It will be useful to eat cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables in large quantities.

You need to drink enough water. At the same time, it is important to monitor your health: in case of kidney and heart diseases that lead to edema, you cannot increase the volume of fluid consumed. Juicy vegetables will come to the rescue.

There are several simple recipes that will help the intestines cope with its work. For example, immediately after waking up, drink a glass of water with a slice of lemon and a spoonful of honey. This simple action will “wake up” the intestines and, if necessary, help cleanse them.

A mixture of dried apricots, prunes and raisins has a good laxative effect. Dried fruits should be crushed in equal parts of 50 grams and mixed with a tablespoon of honey. It is recommended to take 2 teaspoons of this tasty medicine before bed with a glass of water.

The knee-elbow position helps reduce the pressure of the uterus on the intestines, which has a beneficial effect on its activity.

Constipation during pregnancy is common. Irritating and saline laxatives are prohibited during this period, but lactulose and laxative suppositories can help. Proper nutrition, taking folk remedies and moderate regular physical activity will help improve your overall well-being.

During pregnancy, due to increased levels of progesterone, intake of iron-containing medications, and pressure of the uterus on the rectum and large intestine, the risk of developing constipation increases. This condition is undesirable for pregnant women. Laxatives during pregnancy are used only as prescribed by a doctor. Taking medications that eliminate constipation at home should be done with extreme 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.

Tranzipeg 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.

Treatment of constipation in late pregnancy

The occurrence of constipation in the second trimester of pregnancy, as well as during the transition to the third, is provoked by increasing pressure of the uterus on the large intestine and rectum. The use of osmotic laxatives in later stages is undesirable due to their ability to significantly increase the volume of feces, which can create additional discomfort for the expectant mother. In addition, pregnant women in the 3rd and 2nd trimesters are characterized by a tendency to swelling, and it is not possible to provide the necessary drinking regimen for osmotic drugs.

The solution for a pregnant woman may be to take prebiotic medications, in acute cases - the use of emergency laxatives, and sometimes even intestinal irritants.

Products based on disaccharides

During pregnancy, you can use a laxative based on synthetic sugar. It is not broken down by enzymes and enters the intestines in its original form. The disaccharide formula helps attract fluid, which helps soften stool. The products of enzymatic processing of sugar molecules are an excellent environment for the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, and an increase in acidity eliminates pathogenic microorganisms, and with them the processes of fermentation and decay.

The most common example of a laxative that pregnant women can drink is Duphalac syrup. The list of its analogues is wide. However, the dosages of lactulose are the same everywhere, and accordingly, the regimen for taking the syrup is the same. It is important that these drugs normalize the flora and restore peristalsis in an absolutely natural way, do not cause addiction or drug dependence, and therefore can be used both in late and early stages of pregnancy.

Duphalac - taken 20-45 ml in the morning on an empty stomach or at night, 2 hours after dinner. Once a stable result is achieved, 20 ml is used as maintenance therapy. The effect appears on the 2-3rd day of administration. 200 ml of the drug costs from 300 rubles.
Normaze syrup 200 ml – from 280 rubles.
Portalak – 390 rubles.
A drug based on lacthiol – Exportal. Much less likely to cause bloating than Duphalac. 2 packets of the drug are dissolved in a glass of water and taken once a day. Costs about 430 rubles.

Chemical bowel irritants

These include sodium picosulfate drops and tablets. This is a strong chemical agent that artificially causes activation of peristalsis. All picosulfate tablets are prohibited for pregnant women. The exception is Guttalax drops. The doctor decides whether pregnant women can drink them after an objective comparison of the risks and benefits for each specific case. The drug is taken 10 drops, dissolved in a small amount of water, at night. During pregnancy, taking the drug should be as short as possible.

Folk secrets for eliminating constipation

For constipation in pregnant women, even strict doctors recommend that before drinking a laxative from a pharmacy, try products with a laxative effect at home. Traditional folk recipes for correcting stool are based precisely on them:

Beets are the best remedy for constipation, which has no contraindications and only has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the entire body. Boiled beets should be grated, lightly salted, seasoned with vegetable oil and consumed at least 100 g every day.
Kefir has good abilities to normalize intestinal flora if you eat fresh kefir regularly in the mornings or evenings.
Vegetable oil. You can drink vegetable oil to relieve constipation, but not castor oil, but 1 tbsp. l. Flaxseed oil in the morning on an empty stomach will ensure normal stool, and will also cover the body’s need for vitamins A, E and healthy fatty acids.
Fresh vegetables and fruits. A natural laxative for pregnant women, it can be an ordinary fresh fruit. For example, an apple or kiwi fruit. Apples are rich in iron and fiber, and kiwis are rich in organic acids that have a mild choleretic effect.
Time-tested laxatives for pregnant women are dried fruits from which tea is made. 6 small prunes are poured with a glass of boiling water overnight. The tea is drunk in the morning, and the steamed fruits are eaten as a snack during the day.

Laxative products during pregnancy will help not only empty the intestines, but also enrich the expectant mother’s diet with substances necessary for the growth and development of the baby. During pregnancy, you can take chemical laxatives after consulting your doctor. Food products that are folk remedies weaken mildly, and therefore can be used independently by expectant mothers.