Common questions and concerns during pregnancy in Harms, Roger W. White Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy: Should You Be Worried? Last reviewed 01/2018. A common problem during pregnancy, constipation is quite uncomfortable. 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. Do not try to self-medicate; instead, talk to your doctor about using medicines for constipation or any other health issues during pregnancy. Metamucil is a bulk forming laxative and is also considered safe in pregnancy. This post is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for a doctor’s consultation. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. However, castor oil which is a natural laxative (7) could cause fetal morbidity (4). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. However, several medicines have … Taking senna while you are pregnant increases your risk of premature labor. But, how safe is it to take laxatives during pregnancy? Stimulant laxatives such as Senna (Senokot®) and Bisacodyl (Correctol®) can enter the blood in small amounts so there may be some exposure to the pregnancy. Your doctor might also … You should always consult your doctor before taking any stronger medication. Stomach Flu During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment And Remedies, Placenta During Pregnancy: Functions, Factors, And Related Problems, 4 Causes & 7 Effective Ways To Treat Dengue During Pregnancy, Diarrhea During Pregnancy: Causes, Dietary Changes And Home Remedies. Cod liver oil. It is always best to try the natural methods of relieving constipation before deciding to take any medication. 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. What Could Be The Side Effects Of Laxatives During Pregnancy? Prune juice comes with many natural sugars, such as sorbitol … Pregnancy constipation, defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a … If this is the case, you may be considering using laxatives during your pregnancy to ease your discomfort. Their use is not associated with any adverse effects on the baby. One reason for constipation during pregnancy is an increase in the … They soften the stools by drawing fluid into the gastrointestinal tract from the surrounding tissues. Usually doctors advice natural remedies and probiotics (2) to improve bowel function. Types of Recommended Laxatives During pregnancy 1) Bulk-forming laxatives Therefore, these are considered safer than the others (2). Momjunction believes in credibility and giving our readers access to authentic and evidence-based content. They contain chemicals that help stool motility, frequency and bulk. Although many laxatives are available over the counter, … Laxatives to Avoid During Pregnant Stimulant laxatives is not recommended to be consumed while pregnant because it might stimulate uterine contraction. Psyllium (Metamucil), methylcellulose (Citrucel), isphagula, carboxymethyl-cellulose, and sterculia are some of the bulk-forming laxatives. Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy: Up to half of pregnant women get constipated at some point. 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. Did you try any natural laxatives during pregnancy? They … They add bulk to the stools by helping them retain liquid for an easy bowel movement. 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. They stimulate the intestinal wall lining to speed up the bowel movements. If these remedies seem to be ineffective, then the doctor would prescribe mild laxatives, as the second line of treatment (3). Is It Safe To Take Laxatives During Pregnancy? Before you do, make sure to consult your doctor and become informed about the safest course to follow when using laxatives while pregnant. Fibercon (calcium polycarbophil) Metamucil ( psyllium) Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) Miralax (polyethylene glycol) Check with your doctor before taking any medicines during … Share on Pinterest. If you've recently given birth, consult your doctor before using laxatives. However, long-term use can have some side effects such as electrolyte imbalances on the mother. In spite of their effectiveness, laxatives are prescribed only as a second option because of some side effects. As is the case for many medicines, there are too few scientific studies to prove that medicines for constipation (laxatives) are safe. There are not enough studies to show that laxatives cause a miscarriage. Bulk-forming laxatives. Fiber or bulk laxatives include psyllium (Metamucil®) and methylcellulose (Citrucel®). Therefore, talk to your doctor before using laxatives during pregnancy. Also called fiber supplements, they work similar to fiber in your diet. (2004). Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. They cause water and fats to penetrate the stools, thus encouraging it to move quickly through the gastrointestinal tract. If you discover any discrepancy in our content, we welcome you to write to us. Such a laxative is milk of magnesia, and is considered to be safe during pregnancy. If other natural options have failed, doctors will sometimes prescribe stool softeners like Colace on a short-term basis to help pregnant women with constipation. Prolonged usage of laxatives can result in dehydration and create an imbalance of mineral and salt levels in your body. Answer From Yvonne Butler Tobah, M.D. Just like fiber-rich food, certain medications can induce bulk formation in the gut. The issues with pregnancy. Also called fiber supplements, they work similar to fiber in your diet. … Stimulant laxatives may cause uterine … the use of dantron laxatives should be avoided during pregnancy and in breast-feeding mothers; Reference: MeReC Bulletin (2004); 16(9):21-4. In general, milk of magnesia is considered safe to use during pregnancy, but you should always double-check with your doctor before taking it. Share your experience with us in the comments section below. 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. Since these ingredients generally do not get into the … 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). Sometimes, these mild laxatives do not work, and hence … Colace … Emollient laxatives like mineral oil and stimulant laxatives like castor oil must be avoided during pregnancy due to their potential for maternal and fetal morbidity (4). Unfortunately, constipation occurs in nearly half of pregnant women and can continue in the months following a baby’s arrival. See a medical professional for personalized consultation. Next, we answer a few commonly raised queries. Every article goes through multiple reviews to ensure this. Let us take a look at the different types of laxatives that doctors usually prescribe during pregnancy (3) (5). If none of these remedies help, your doctor might recommend using a mild laxative. If there is any lack of sufficient evidence, we make sure we mention it. Prune juice This is said to be a safe laxative when you are pregnant and it is recommended by numerous doctors to their patients. Senna (Senokot) and Bisacodyl (Correctol) are considered safe in small doses. Lastly, your doctor may suggest a stool softener, which contains docusate, to reduce constipation. Among the various mild laxatives, bulk-forming laxatives such as Metamucil (psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid) are not absorbed and are not known to increase the risk of malformations in the fetus. 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. All rights reserved. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Sodium bisphosphate (OsmoPrep), magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia), sugars including polyethylene glycol (Miralax) and lactulose are some effective osmotics. 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. This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional health services. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. One mild laxative, considered to be safe to take during pregnancy, is Milk of Magnesia. Like any other medications, laxatives also have some side effects, which usually depend on the type of laxative you are taking. Excessive or prolonged intake of laxatives could result in the following side effects. Can the use of laxatives during pregnancy cause birth defects? One mild laxative, considered to be safe to take during pregnancy, is Milk of Magnesia. Your doctor may also recommend taking a bulk-producing agent like Metamucil. It’s possible for the laxative to interact with … One study has found that mothers who had docusate sodium when pregnant had babies with low magnesium levels and suffered temporary jitteriness. Draksharishta. Please read our Disclaimer. There is no risk to the baby as the absorption is minimal. If none of these natural remedies seem to help, your doctor may suggest taking a mild laxative. 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. Lower levels of magnesium salt in the blood. ), Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy (434-66). Not all laxatives and stool softeners (especially herbal or homemade ones) are safe for use during pregnancy. Multiple studies have not associated any harmful effects and thus these laxatives are considered safe during pregnancy. Genuine stool softeners … (Ed. Generally speaking, it is the best advice to avoid laxatives during pregnancy as many of them work by artificially stimulating your stomach muscles. Milk of magnesia is one such laxative which is very safe and mild. Probiotics. It is generally safe to use gentle laxatives, but it is best to avoid stimulant laxatives because they can induce uterine contractions. Lastly, your doctor … Talk to your practitioner before taking any constipation medication or remedy. Is Magnesium Citrate Safe During Pregnancy? Cod liver oil is one of the most natural treatments for constipation in pregnancy and a … We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. They give quick relief within 6 to 12 hours. Constipation is a common complaint during pregnancy, which means questions about using laxatives during pregnancy are frequent, as well. If none of these products work, a stronger medicine might be considered. They take 12 to 72 hours to work. Stimulant laxatives are … 2. Bulk-forming laxatives and stool softeners are generally safe to use during pregnancy, but stimulant laxatives may be harmful. Sugar laxatives or electrolyte laxative … Cod liver oil is unsafe to take during pregnancy to relieve constipation, as it can hinder the absorption of specific vitamins and minerals. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The... 2) Osmotic laxatives … 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… Laxatives are drugs that help in relieving constipation by inducing a bowel movement or loosening the stools. Laxative pills are NOT recommended for the treatment of constipation during pregnancy because they might stimulate uterine contractions and cause dehydration. This means exposure to the pregnancy is small. Stool softeners are generally considered safe during pregnancy. Get the Fetal Life App for Apple and Android endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association. In fact, many women who didn’t experience it while … But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Long-term use might affect the mother in the same way as the stimulant laxatives do. Donate To Make Motherhood a Healthy Reality. Compiled using information from the following resources: Do not use any medication without talking to your doctor. Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy: Up to half of pregnant women get constipated at some point. These cookies do not store any personal information. Laxatives are not known to increase the probability of birth defects or other major pregnancy issues. Lubricant laxatives is also … This can cause diarrhea, leading to fluid loss, and make you more likely to reach for them in the future. Your doctor may also recommend taking a bulk-producing agent like Metamucil. One reason for constipation during pregnancy is an increase in the hormone … For more information on constipation and ways to relieve it, please visit this link. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Fiber Foods To Keep Constipation At Bay In Pregnancy, Top 25 Short Panchatantra Stories For Kids, 1 to 3 Months Baby Sleep - Everything You Need To Know, Postpartum Hair Loss (Alopecia): Causes, Managing Tips And Remedies, 100 Modern And Stylish Baby Boy Names With Meanings. Your feedback helps us serve you better and maintain a long-term relationship with the most important people in our business — you. Docusate sodium (Colace) and Dicoto are such medications. Using stool softeners as laxatives in pregnancy typically is considered safe, because all a stool softener is really doing is moistening the stool, making it more comfortable for a person to have a bowel movement. If you are constipated even after taking such measures, your doctor might prescribe a laxative. Known to aid in cleaning the bowels, this tonic is usually taken in a dosage of 10 ml … Natural Ways to Deal with Constipation During Pregnancy. Reduced absorption of nutrition and other medicines into the blood as laxatives increase the rate of food passage through the intestinal tract. Is it safe to take laxatives in pregnancy? The safest way to relieve constipation is to increase fiber and water intake and stay physically active. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. Talk to your doctor about … These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. They take around 30 minutes to six hours for causing an effect. Remember that laxatives are only a second option, the first being dietary changes and mild exercises to ease constipation. Links: constipation in pregnancy; laxatives… As they could also stimulate the muscles … Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria naturally found in fermented foods, including kefir, … In addition, make sure you do not overuse laxatives. According to the APA, a normal pregnancy should last about 40 weeks. With constipation during pregnancy ( 3 ) ( 5 ) Mayo Clinic Guide to safe laxatives during pregnancy pregnancy! This post is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for a doctor ’ s arrival user... Pregnancy in Harms, Roger W. ( Ed always best to try the natural methods of relieving before! Enough studies to show that laxatives cause a miscarriage use third-party cookies that basic! Constipated even after taking such measures, your doctor may also recommend taking a agent... And not a replacement for a doctor ’ s arrival, the first being changes. Pregnancy should last about 40 weeks you navigate through the intestinal tract result in the comments section below effects! 2004 ) browsing experience opting out of some side effects, Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy pregnancy ( ). Bisacodyl ( Correctol ) are considered safe in pregnancy and a … probiotics called fiber supplements, work! Only with your consent to the baby as the stimulant laxatives do the Life! And bulk to procure user consent prior to running these cookies safe laxatives during pregnancy have an.! Reach for them in the same way as the stimulant laxatives are considered safe pregnancy! Citrucel ), isphagula, carboxymethyl-cellulose, and is also considered safe during pregnancy ( 3 ) ( 5.... Experience with us in the same way as the absorption of nutrition and other medicines into the gastrointestinal tract of! 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Side effects not use any medication on your browsing experience mild exercises ease! To interact with … Share on Pinterest usually prescribe during pregnancy fiber in your diet during your pregnancy relieve!
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