Using a laxative during pregnancy can help relieve constipation and intestinal gas, but it should never be done without a doctor’s advice, as it may not be safe for the pregnant woman and her baby.
Constipation is common during pregnancy and usually occurs due to hormonal changes in a woman’s body during this period, so treatment with laxatives is not always necessary.
It is best for pregnant women to try more natural ways to empty their intestines, such as eating more foods rich in fiber and drinking water, before trying to use any laxatives. See tips for treating constipation during pregnancy.
When to use laxatives during pregnancy
The use of laxatives during pregnancy is generally indicated when natural measures such as light physical exercise, increasing water intake and consuming foods rich in fiber, such as vegetables and fruits, were not enough to relieve constipation.
What is the best laxative?
Some obstetricians recommend oral laxatives, such as those containing fiber. Psyllium (Metamucil) and lactulose (Duphalac, Lactuliv, Colact), which are generally considered safe to use in pregnancy and help soften stools. See how to take fiber Psyllium.
Although less used, sometimes the doctor may also recommend bisacodyl or glycerin suppositories, for example, to facilitate the elimination of feces, having a good result even on the most hardened and dry feces.
It is important to always consult your obstetrician before using any medication during pregnancy.
What is the risk of using laxatives during pregnancy?
The main risks of taking very strong laxatives during pregnancy or using milder laxatives for a long time are the fact that some of them can pass to the baby and affect its development, cause dehydration in the pregnant woman or lead to an imbalance of vitamins and minerals. in the blood, due to decreased absorption.
Furthermore, some laxatives may contain high amounts of sugar or sodium in their formula, which can also lead to changes in blood pressure.
Bibliography
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- RUNGSIPRAKARN, Phassawan et al. Interventions for treating constipation in pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Vol.2015, n.9. 2015
- TROTTIER, Magan; EREBARA, Aida; BOZZO, Pina. Treating constipation during pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. Vol.58, n.8. 836–838, 2012
- STATPEARLS. Physiology, Pregnancy. 2022. Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559304/>. Accessed on January 12, 2023
- BODY, Cameron; CHRISTIE, Jennifer A. Gastrointestinal Diseases in Pregnancy: Nausea, Vomiting, Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Constipation, and Diarrhea. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. Vol.45, n.2. 267-283, 2016
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience. 2016. Available at: <https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/250800/WHO-RHR-16.12-por.pdf?sequence=2>. Accessed on April 30, 2020
- INFARMED. Pharmacovigilance Bulletin – Pregnancy and safe use of drugs. 2001. Available at: <http://www.infarmed.pt/documents/15786/1277078/bf5-2-2trim2001.pdf/f0c5c60a-fbe3-4655-b060-03e1fdf620bb?version=1.1>. Accessed on 25 Jul 2019
- Saffioti RF and. al.. Constipation and pregnancy. FEMALE. Vol.39. 3.ed; 2011
