Why And When Is The Tetanus Toxoid (TT) Vaccine Given During Pregnancy? If none of these remedies help, your doctor might recommend using a mild laxative. Lastly, your doctor may suggest a stool softener, which contains docusate, to reduce constipation. They are safe for short term use but prolonged usage may lead to electrolyte imbalance and this is not good to pregnancy. The laxatives are available in the form of pills, capsules, foods, gums, and liquids for oral consumption or through the rectum in the form of enemas and suppositories (1). Your doctor may also recommend taking a bulk-producing agent like Metamucil. RhoGAM Shot During Pregnancy For Rh-Negative Mothers. Pregnancy hormones act to relax the muscles and slow the transit time of food in the gut. High fiber. ), Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy (434-66). Now you know that some safe and unsafe laxatives during pregnancy; you'd better try these home remedies first to avoid possible side effects of laxatives. According to the APA, a normal pregnancy should last about 40 weeks. Stronger laxatives are prescribed when these do not work, but they come with risks and shouldn’t be … I'm currently 10 weeks Does taking laxatives in the first trimester increase the chance of birth defects? They contain chemicals that help stool motility, frequency and bulk. Can the use of laxatives during pregnancy cause birth defects? Laxative abuse during pregnancy. Generally, there are 3 types of oral osmotic laxatives which are Saline ( Philip Milk of Magnesia ), lactulose (Kristalose) and polymer types (MiraLAX). Now you know that some safe and unsafe laxatives during pregnancy; you'd better try these home remedies first to avoid possible side effects of laxatives. It is better to try and ensure constipation does not occur in the first place by eating high fiber foods, drinking more water, and exercising regularly. If changes to your diet and lifestyle don’t make a difference then your doctor or midwife may prescribe a laxative that’s safe to use in pregnancy (NICE 2017). Stimulant laxatives may cause uterine contractions, which can cause premature labor. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 0. For more information on constipation and ways to relieve it, please visit this link. It’s better to avoid laxatives in the later trimesters. Laxatives are drugs that help in relieving constipation by inducing a bowel movement or loosening the stools. Laxatives are not known to increase the probability of birth defects or other major pregnancy issues. Amongst the many laxatives available, only certain ones are safe. They may suggest you try the following, in this order: See a medical professional for personalized consultation. Reference: MeReC Bulletin (2004); 16 (9):21-4. They take around 30 minutes to six hours for causing an effect. Constipation in pregnancy: Causes and remedies, Over-the-counter medications in pregnancy, An examination of the effect of castor oil packs on constipation in the elderly. Fibercon (calcium polycarbophil) Metamucil ( psyllium) Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) Miralax (polyethylene glycol) Check with your doctor before taking any … Mineral oil may interfere with the absorption of nutrients and vitamins in the mother. But, how safe is it to take laxatives during pregnancy? Is It Safe To Take Labetalol During Pregnancy? Sometimes, these mild laxatives do not work, and hence your doctor may prescribe stronger laxatives and a stool softener during pregnancy. Lastly, your doctor may suggest a stool softener, which contains docusate, to reduce constipation. Safe natural laxatives during pregnancy. Long-term use might affect the mother in the same way as the stimulant laxatives do. Sodium bisphosphate (OsmoPrep), magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia), sugars including polyethylene glycol (Miralax) and lactulose are some effective osmotics. These cookies do not store any personal information. They stimulate the intestinal wall lining to speed up the bowel movements. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Premature labor does not always result in premature delivery, according to APA. Psyllium (Metamucil), methylcellulose (Citrucel), isphagula, carboxymethyl-cellulose, and sterculia are some of the bulk-forming laxatives. This way the stool becomes looser. This is said to be a safe laxative when you are pregnant and it is recommended by numerous doctors to their patients. Options include milk of magnesia and Metamucil. Your doctor may also recommend taking a bulk-producing agent like Metamucil. Therefore, these are considered safer than the others (2). One mild laxative, considered to be safe to take during pregnancy, is Milk of Magnesia. However, it considers the herb to be "possibl ... Read More. Their use is not associated with any adverse effects on the baby. Prolonged usage of laxatives can result in dehydration and create an imbalance of mineral and salt levels in your body. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Laxatives during pregnancy – should you take them – or not? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Remember that laxatives are only a second option, the first being dietary changes and mild exercises to ease constipation. Prune juice comes with many natural sugars, such as sorbitol and fructose that make it easier for the intestines to absorb fluids. Stimulant laxatives such as bisacodyl, senna, and cascara have the fastest onset of action, but are associated with hypokalemia (low potassium levels), hyponatremia (low sodium levels), and colic.5 There are some medications more recently approved to manage chronic constipation but they are unlikely to be prescribed during pregnancy. senna is acceptable for short periods in moderate doses if other measures fail - however senna should be used cautiously in the third trimester of pregnancy. If these remedies seem to be ineffective, then the doctor would prescribe mild laxatives, as the second line of treatment (3). Over 40% of women report symptoms at some stage of their pregnancy2, commonly in the 1st and 2nd trimesters. Is it safe to take laxatives during pregnancy? One of the effective natural laxatives for pregnant women is having a high amount of fiber in your diet. Did you try any natural laxatives during pregnancy? Common questions and concerns during pregnancy in Harms, Roger W. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. 3 thanks. 0 comment. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Your doctor might also suggest Metamucil, a bulk-producing agent. I think hormones during pregnancy trigger constipation. This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional health services. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. the use of dantron laxatives should be avoided during pregnancy and in breast-feeding mothers. Docusate sodium (Colace) and Dicoto are such medications. They add bulk to the stools by helping them retain liquid for an easy bowel movement. Are laxatives safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding? Usually doctors advice natural remedies and probiotics (2) to improve bowel function. Is It Safe To Take Laxatives During Pregnancy? This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Is Magnesium Citrate Safe During Pregnancy? Ask your pharmacist, midwife or doctor for a cream that's safe to use in pregnancy. Our stringent editorial guidelines allow us to cite only from reputed research institutions, academic journals, medically established studies, and highly regarded media and news agencies. They soften the stools by drawing fluid into the gastrointestinal tract from the surrounding tissues. Please read our Disclaimer. Yes, you can use laxatives during pregnancy upon being prescribed. . Are laxatives safe during pregnancy? Such a laxative is milk of magnesia, and is considered to be safe during pregnancy. If none of these natural remedies seem to help, your doctor may suggest taking a mild laxative. Last reviewed 01/2018. Multiple studies have not associated any harmful effects and thus these laxatives are considered safe during pregnancy. What Could Be The Side Effects Of Laxatives During Pregnancy? Metamucil is a bulk forming laxative and is also considered safe in pregnancy. But in general, I don't like relying on laxatives because I feel like my bowels will become dependent on them to work. Mineral oil is usually not used during pregnancy because of possible unwanted effects on the mother or infant. In this post, MomJunction tells you whether it is safe to take laxatives during pregnancy, the possible side effects and the types of laxative that are considered safe. Momjunction believes in credibility and giving our readers access to authentic and evidence-based content. Discussion in 'Pregnancy - First Trimester' started by emmyloves1991, Oct 24, 2012. Also called fiber supplements, they work similar to fiber in your diet. If none of these products work, a stronger medicine might be considered. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. In addition, make sure you do not overuse laxatives. However senna is partly absorbed by your gut. One reason for constipation during pregnancy is an increase in the hormone progesterone, which relaxes smooth muscles throughout the body, including the digestive tract. laxatives when pregnant; Constipation is probably one of the most irritating symptoms of pregnancy. When those didn't work, I had to take a laxative. Do not try to self-medicate; instead, talk to your doctor about using medicines for constipation or any other health issues during pregnancy. Multiple studies have not associated any harmful effects and thus these laxatives are considered safe during pregnancy. Stool softeners, such as Colace, moisten the stool and make it easier to pass. Pros & Cons. Like any other medications, laxatives also have some side effects, which usually depend on the type of laxative you are taking. You should always consult your doctor before taking any stronger medication. One study has found that mothers who had docusate sodium when pregnant had babies with low magnesium levels and suffered temporary jitteriness. Senna: Medline plus indicates that senna is "possibly safe" during pregnancy when used briefly, in small doses. Therefore, talk to your doctor before using laxatives during pregnancy. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. They take around 12 to 24 hours to work and are unlikely to cause any harm to your pregnancy since they do not get into the blood. In every pregnancy, a woman starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a baby with a birth defect. Are there any safe treatments I can recommend to them? If you are experiencing constipation, you may find some of the natural suggestions for relieving constipation, such as eating more high fiber foods and drinking more water, do not work. They cause water and fats to penetrate the stools, thus encouraging it to move quickly through the gastrointestinal tract. Compiled using information from the following resources: Let us take a look at the different types of laxatives that doctors usually prescribe during pregnancy (3) (5). Reduced absorption of nutrition and other medicines into the blood as laxatives increase the rate of food passage through the intestinal tract. Constipation in Pregnancy. Hey ladies... constipation has got me.... which laxatives are safe during pregnancy? If you experience persistent bleeding, go back to your doctor. Laxatives During Pregnancy And Why You Should Avoid … Continue reading "Laxatives During Pregnancy Safe or … Answer: Although the recommended first-line therapy for constipation includes increasing fibre, fluids, and exercise, these are sometimes ineffective. If there is any lack of sufficient evidence, we make sure we mention it. This is called her background risk. It must be noted that these laxatives only help temporarily relieve constipation; your doctor will advise you to change your diet and lifestyle to retain your natural bowel movements. (2004). Pregnancy constipation, defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a week, can be uncomfortable. Laxatives are usually safe for pregnant women to take because most of them are not absorbed by the digestive system. Do not use any medication without talking to your doctor. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website.