What laxatives are possible for pregnant women in the 2nd trimester. What laxatives are allowed for early pregnancy? Laxatives contraindicated during pregnancy

When choosing a laxative during pregnancy, make sure that the remedy meets the following requirements:

• minimal effect on the maternal body (only laxative effect);
• does not penetrate the hemoplacental barrier (preventing the undesirable effect of the drug on the fetus);
• mild stimulation of intestinal motility (a pronounced increase in peristalsis provokes uterine contractions);
• cleansing the rectum from the accumulation of feces;
• does not change the water-electrolyte balance;
• the minimum list of side effects;
• not addictive.

Even if it seems that you have found a safe laxative for your period of gestation, take your time to take the medicine without a doctor's prescription. Consultation with a specialist will reduce the risk of unwanted side effects.

Selection of a medicine taking into account the gestational age

Expectant mothers, during pregnancy, changes are constantly taking place in your body. In order not to harm yourself and the child, taking laxatives, consider the trimester. Let's see what laxatives a woman is allowed to drink, taking into account the gestational age.

Preparations for the first trimester

In the first trimester (up to 14 weeks), any stimulation of the uterus provokes a miscarriage. You cannot take fast-acting constipation medications, which have a strong effect on intestinal motility, at this time.

Therefore, here is a list of approved laxative drugs for the first trimester.

Duphalac

The laxative agent Duphalac is based on lactulose, which is not absorbed through the intestinal mucosa. The active substance has the following effects:

• retains fluid, softening and increasing the volume of feces;
• stimulates peristalsis;
• restores intestinal microflora;
• not addictive.

During pregnancy, women are allowed to take Duphalac at any time.

Drug analogs:

• Lactulose;
• Portalak.

You need to drink laxative medicine in the morning on an empty stomach. The speed of action depends on the individual characteristics of the organism, the laxative effect occurs after 12-24 hours.

Mukofalk

Mucofalk laxative is made from plantain seeds. After taking, the following happens:

• increase in stool volume due to fluid retention;
• enveloping the intestinal walls;
• mild stimulation of motor skills.

Before taking a bag of Mucofalk granules, stir in 100 ml of cool water and drink on an empty stomach. The instructions for use indicate that food intake does not affect the effect of the drug. You can drink Mucofalk at any time, and the stool will appear within 24 hours.

The herbal remedy is not absorbed into the general bloodstream and does not affect the fetus. But due to the stimulation of the intestines with psyllium fibers, the laxative Mucofalk is allowed to be taken in the second half of the first trimester of pregnancy.

Microlax

Laxative microclysters Mikrolax are produced in vials with a nozzle, convenient for use at home. After the introduction of the solution into the anus occurs:

• softening of the fecal lump;
• stimulation of motor skills.

Microlax is an effective and fast-acting laxative that has a mild effect on the rectum of a pregnant woman. The stool appears 15-20 minutes after microclysters. Defecation occurs painlessly, without straining or overstraining the muscles.

Although the instructions for Mikrolax allow you to do microclysters in the early stages, this recommendation is given for healthy women. According to statistics, in almost ¾ of all pregnant women, gynecologists identify the threat of interruption, and local stimulation of the rectum with a microclysm can provoke a miscarriage. Do not use Microlax without consulting your doctor.

If you are choosing a laxative for the treatment of constipation yourself, choose Duphalac from the proposed ones. It is the only safe drug that is allowed to drink from the moment of conception to childbirth.

Medicines for late dates

In late pregnancy, the fetus is already formed and the risk of miscarriage is reduced. In the second and third trimesters, the list of approved laxatives is replenished with suppositories with a remedy containing plant fibers.

Glycerin Suppositories

After insertion into the anus, the glycerin base softens within 1-2 minutes and spreads over the mucous membrane. The following happens:

• the intestinal wall is lubricated;
• the nerve endings of the receptors responsible for peristalsis are stimulated;
• dense feces become softer due to the penetration of glycerin into it.

How long the suppositories take effect depends on the condition of the intestines. In a healthy woman, the urge to defecate will appear within an hour, and in case of diseases of the digestive tract, this period increases to 12 hours.

If you use laxative glycerin suppositories at home during pregnancy, try to lie down until you feel like going to the toilet or put a pad in your panties. When moving, softened glycerin can leak from the anus, leaving stains on clothing.

Phytomucil

Refers to dietary supplements. It is made on a natural basis: from the extract of plums and plantain seeds. The food supplement belongs to the group of prebiotics, after taking the following things happen:

• the volume of feces increases due to moisture retention;
• increased motor skills;
• the beneficial microflora of the large intestine is restored.

Using laxatives permitted during pregnancy, do not forget about the drinking regimen - you need to consume up to 2 liters of liquid per day. If you do not follow this rule, then the stool will not be normalized.

Although medicines containing plant fibers (Phytomucil, Mucofalk) are allowed in the late period of pregnancy, use them with caution before childbirth. In the third trimester, the pregnant uterus presses on the bowel loops, making it difficult for feces to pass. An increase in the volume of intestinal contents can cause flatulence or abdominal pain.

The above list, which indicates which laxative is possible during pregnancy, is relevant for healthy women in whom gestation passes without deviations. Remember, drugs are selected taking into account the gestation period, the general condition of the female body and diseases of the digestive tract. By self-medication, you will not get rid of the problem and can harm your health.

Potential harm to laxatives

Consider the reasons why doctors are reluctant to prescribe laxative drugs during pregnancy.

Development of intestinal atony

All laxatives allowed during pregnancy:

• increase the volume of feces;
• irritate nerve endings.

Taking medication for a short time helps the intestines get rid of stool. But if you use the drug for a long time, then even mild stimulation of motor skills will lead to the fact that you cannot go to the toilet without medication.

Dyspeptic disorders

Instead of stool normalization, diarrhea, flatulence and abdominal pain appear. There are several reasons:

• Individual sensitivity to the components of the medicinal product. If this happens, then reduce the dose recommended by your doctor.
• Overdose. The laxative prescribed during pregnancy has a mild effect on motor skills and you have to wait several hours for a laxative effect. It seems to you that the drug has not worked, and you repeat the drug intake.
• Self-medication. When purchasing a laxative recommended by someone, you do not take into account the peculiarities of your digestion and the reason for the appearance of constipation. You are interested in an effective and fast colon cleanse.

If diarrhea appears, then do not try to cope with the problem yourself - see your doctor. With diarrhea, the absorption of nutrients is disturbed, fluid is lost. This condition is dangerous for the fetus and for the expectant mother.

Stimulation of uterine contractions

This is possible with hyperstimulation of peristalsis. Increased motor skills can be provoked by:

• taking drugs that irritate the nerve receptors of the intestine;
• hypersensitivity of the body to the active substance of the drug;
• the wrong choice of medicine (a woman buys pills, suppositories or quick-acting drops without a doctor's prescription).

The intestines and uterus are close, so when there is a strong contraction of the walls of the colon, irritating impulses are transmitted to the genital organ.

When cramping abdominal pains appear during pregnancy, call an ambulance. This may be the first sign of a spontaneous abortion or premature birth.

Side effects are rare if medical advice is followed.

List of prohibited laxatives

When choosing the best laxative, keep your situation in mind. During pregnancy, the following groups of drugs are prohibited.

Osmotic

Saline laxatives saturate the stool with moisture, drawing it out of the surrounding tissues. This group includes:

• magnesium salts;
• karlovy Vary salt.

Osmotic agents disrupt the water-electrolyte balance and, with prolonged use, cause dehydration.

Annoying

The medicine acts on the nerve endings, causing a strong contraction of the intestinal walls. Avoid taking any of the following:

• Laxbene;
• Dulcolax;
• Weak;
• natural laxatives containing rhubarb, senna or buckthorn bark extracts.

How increased motor skills affect the contractile ability of the uterus was described above. During pregnancy, do not drink drops or tablets from this list.

Enveloping

This group includes laxative oils that are not absorbed through the intestinal mucosa:

• castor;
• petroleum jelly;
• glycerin.

The oil base coats the intestines, facilitating the movement of feces. A layer of oil on the intestinal walls prevents nutrients from entering the bloodstream.

While liquid paraffin or glycerin oil is relatively safe, castor oil additionally irritates nerve receptors. Castor oil is prohibited during pregnancy.

Remember that only slight stimulation of intestinal motility is allowed while carrying a baby. The use of potent drugs that enhance peristalsis or affect the water-salt balance will cause unwanted complications.

It is not difficult for a pregnant woman to choose an effective laxative, taking into account the gestational age and health status. But even the best remedy will only bring short-term relief if the cause of the constipation is not eliminated. Consider whether you might want to make a lifestyle change, add laxative foods to your diet, or start treating a disease that caused stool retention.

Constipation during pregnancy, unfortunately, is a frequent occurrence, they accompany a woman from about the middle of the second trimester and last until the end of pregnancy. But this is not just a problem, it poses a much greater threat than one might imagine. With constipation, very unpleasant and life-threatening diseases of the fetus can develop, and even infection of the mother's body can occur.

What is constipation

Constipation is an incomplete or delayed, irregular bowel movement. It is a functional bowel disorder that can have organic causes. During pregnancy - a very undesirable phenomenon, but common, especially in the second half of the term.

When does constipation begin during pregnancy

Most often, severe constipation during gestation occurs towards the end of the second trimester. They can accompany a pregnant woman until the very birth. Constipation may be regular or occasional. In the third trimester, all women face this problem.

What causes constipation in early and late pregnancy

With constipation, the motor-evacuation function of the intestine is disturbed, since the uterus, increasing, strongly compresses the internal organs, and in the third trimester, falling more and more, it presses on the intestinal peristalsis system, practically blocking the exit of all human waste products. The most basic causes of peristalsis disorders during pregnancy:

• Sedentary lifestyle of a pregnant woman;
• Nervous constipation;
• Bed rest;
• Overeating;
• A limited amount of fluid in the body of a pregnant woman;
• Too high in minerals such as iron and calcium;

At the beginning of pregnancy, constipation can occur due to:

• Poor physical activity due to the high risk of a threat of miscarriage.
• High levels of the hormone progesterone.
• Forced intake of vitamin preparations to increase hemoglobin levels.
• Also, do not ignore one of the most common causes of constipation - unhealthy diet.

In the second half of pregnancy, constipation can be for the same reasons as at the beginning of pregnancy, but another factor is added - an increase in the uterus. It puts pressure on the intestines and their work deteriorates significantly. Chronic bowel diseases, which are exacerbated during the carrying of a baby, also play an important role.

What is the risk of constipation during pregnancy for mother and fetus

With constipation, the following violations are possible:

• Premature birth.
• Putrefactive processes in the intestines.
• With prolonged intestinal obstruction, intoxication of the body begins.
• An imbalance in the intestinal flora.
• Inflammatory processes of the genital organs.
• A natural consequence of severe constipation is also hemorrhoids.
• Endometritis (inflammation of the endometrium of the inner mucous membrane of the uterus).
• Abortion.
• Swelling.
• There may be complications in the fetus itself.

Constipation during pregnancy what to do

If such a problem appears, then you definitely need to change your diet. Turn to healthy foods, especially those rich in fiber.

Try to drink more fluids if there are no contraindications. It is especially beneficial to drink a glass of warm water in the morning on an empty stomach. Be sure to include prunes in the diet. If it is difficult to consume it in its pure form, then it can be added to food - meat, porridge, stew with vegetables. Refrain from junk food, fresh baked goods made from white flour, fatty and fried foods. If the problem becomes threatening, then you need to contact a specialist for help as soon as possible.

It is imperative to follow at least a few of the simplest rules and then it will become much easier for you yourself.

Is it possible to push with constipation

It is not recommended to strain the abdominal area during pregnancy. This provokes an increased tone of the uterus, which in turn can lead to miscarriage or premature birth. In the best case, hemorrhoids will appear.

When constipation goes away during pregnancy

Depends on the individual characteristics of both the female body and pregnancy. Most often, if constipation begins at the end of the gestation period, it can last until the very birth and for some time after, while the hormonal background changes. In the early stages, constipation lasts less, usually a few days, if longer, then the problem needs to be addressed in more productive ways.

Laxative for pregnant women at home

You can help yourself on your own, if there is no chronic stage of constipation, and the doctor has not prescribed a medication solution to the problem. This requires very little effort and minimal cost.
Flax seed. Pour a tablespoon of seeds with boiling water about 150 grams and stirring constantly, let cool, but not completely, so that you can drink warm. The water will become cloudy due to the mucus secreted by the seeds, which is exactly what we need. Drink the infusion (just not at night). Repeat the procedure in 8-9 hours. Flax seeds will not harm you and will relieve constipation a little. In addition, this broth is enveloping and protects your stomach.

Salad with unrefined oil (aromatic). It can be fresh tomatoes with green onions, seasoned with such oil. It does not affect the fetus in any way, the only thing that may appear is a slight heartburn. Wash it down with warm boiled water.

Small amount of rich broth. Prepare it from any meat except beef, it is not greasy and will not give a lot of fat. But keep in mind that eating a lot of it is undesirable and do not add cereals or noodles there. Let it be like a simple broth that you can drink from a cup, for example.

How to choose the right one

When choosing a laxative drug, you must observe safety precautions with regard to the components. Otherwise, there may be consequences.

What not to take during pregnancy and contraindicated when carrying a child:

• hay leaves
• castor oil
• karlovy Vary salt
• bisacodyl
• alimentary fiber
• hydrophilic colloids
• mineral oils (vaseline, fennel, etc.)

All of these components can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa and lead to spastic contractions. Also, irritants can lead to mutagenic reactions, genotoxicity. Also, all these drugs cause impaired absorption of fats and carbohydrates into the walls and cause inflammatory processes in the liver and kidneys, thus causing edema.

Laxative during pregnancy

It is strictly prohibited to take any medications during pregnancy without the knowledge of a doctor. Including laxatives. Some of them can pose a threat to pregnancy, it is better not to risk it again. Usually doctors recommend the use of glycerin suppositories or drugs such as Duphalac and Microlax microclysters. These are delicate drugs that do not cause a significant increase in intestinal peristalsis.

All pregnant women, to one degree or another, are faced with such an unpleasant phenomenon as constipation. The main thing is not to run the problem, but to solve it as soon as possible. There are very few effective remedies for constipation during pregnancy, but they exist.

Doctors recommend a component such as lactulose. Once in the stomach, it stimulates the intestinal microflora and helps it to activate and recover. Lactulose is not absorbed into the bloodstream and is quickly excreted naturally along with feces. It also does not have a mutagenic or teratogenic effect on the fetus.
Here are some drugs that are allowed during pregnancy and will help you with constipation even in the chronic stage:

1. Normolact.
2. Prelax.
3. Slabilax.
4. Duphalac.

Do not forget that self-medication threatens your health and the health of your child. Before taking, consult your doctor and read the instructions carefully, each medicine has contraindications.

Stool problems in pregnant women occur for a number of reasons. Physical changes in a woman's body, an increase in the fetus, which puts pressure on the internal organs, which leads to disruption in the intestines. Reduced physical activity, especially in the later stages, reduces the muscle tone of the body, which leads to delayed bowel movements. The increased production of the hormone progesterone in pregnant women causes relaxation of the intestinal muscles, which leads to a delay in feces. The use of drugs containing iron to normalize the level of hemoglobin in the blood also stimulates the appearance of problems with stool. Diet changes can also have a negative effect on bowel function.

Can pregnant women drink laxatives?

A laxative for pregnant women must meet certain requirements. Medicines should not increase the activity of smooth muscles, that is, provoke uterine contractions, cause spasms, loose stools, which leads to loss of fluid and salts, and negatively affect the intestinal microflora.

Therefore, pregnant women need to pay attention to the choice of medication and in no case do without the recommendations of a specialist. Because addiction develops to any drug over time and either the drug stops working or the body cannot do without the drug.

What medications can pregnant women take?

Laxatives for pregnant women have general effects on the body. These drugs concentrate water in the intestines by thinning the stool, which contributes to their easy excretion. A pregnant woman should drink the required amount of fluids every day. Lack of water in the intestines also stimulates constipation. Most often, the action of such drugs is based on the properties of the synthetic substance lactulose. This substance was obtained during the search by American chemists Edna Montgomery and Klaus Hudson for a sweetener for the food industry. Later, the Australian pediatrician Friedrich Petueli investigated this substance and justified its use for the treatment of constipation in infants. Also for pregnant women, preparations are made based on bifidobacteria. Medicines using the properties of various medicinal plants. Various anal suppositories based on glycerin.

Duphalac

The action of this drug is based on the properties of lactulose. Lactulose is a disaccharide composed of parts of galactose and fructose molecules, a synthetic stereoisomer of lactose. This substance does not occur in nature. Lactulose is not absorbed in the intestines, because the human body does not produce enzymes capable of breaking it down. Due to this property, lactulose increases the osmotic pressure in the intestine, concentrates water, dilutes and increases the volume of feces. Having reached the large intestine unchanged, lactulose is processed by the bacteria living there. The products of bacterial processing of lactulose shift the pH of the medium towards the acidic side. Thus, suppressing the activity of harmful bacteria causing dysbiosis and creating a favorable environment for beneficial bacteria.

Phytomucil

This preparation is a biologically active food supplement consists of a mixture of psyllium husks with homemade plums. Natural Plant Fiber Remedy Available as a powder in cans or sachets for oral use. Has a wide spectrum of action: increasing and softening intestinal contents, stimulating the functions of the colon, choleretic agent, prevents and eliminates constipation, improves digestion, lowers cholesterol, lowers sugar levels. Phytomucil also helps to reduce excess weight, gives a feeling of satiety. For pregnant women, consult a doctor before use.

Senade tablets

Herbal laxative. It is a brown or dark brown tablet with inclusions. The active substances are hay leaves extract + calcium salts of sennosides A and B. Excipients lactose, starch, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, microcrystalline cellulose, talc, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium carmellose. Acts on the large intestine, enhancing its peristalsis. Has a gradual effect of the maximum effect after 8-10 hours.

The drug is usually administered once a day before bedtime. This device should be administered to pregnant women with extreme caution.

Fast laxative Microlax

This medicine is used as a disposable enema. The most important characteristic of this drug is its very fast action. The drug will work within 5-20 minutes. The drug is very convenient to use, in contrast to the usual enema, no antiseptic treatment or dosage is required.

After administration, a complex of active substances (sodium citrate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sorbitol) softens dense feces and gently removes constipation. In this case, the laxative is not absorbed into the organs of the digestive system. Approved for use for children from the first days of life and for pregnant women in all trimesters of pregnancy.

Glycerin candles

This drug can be freely purchased from a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. It is applied as follows, with a clean hand placed as deep as possible into the patient's anus. Where, under the influence of body temperature, they melt very quickly, without causing discomfort and pain. Contains: glycerin, stearic acid, sodium carbonate. Available in two different standard sizes for both adults (2.75 grams) and children (1.6 grams). They have no contraindications. Having an emollient and mild laxative effect, glycerin is oxidized in the human body to carbon dioxide and water. In the case of prolonged use, irritation and even inflammation of the rectum (catarrhal proctitis) may occur.

Best laxatives for pregnant women -\u003e folk remedies

Of course, pregnant women are better off if it is possible to do without medication. In order for the body to cope on its own in the diet of a pregnant woman, there must be foods that weaken,. These are dairy products, vegetables, fruits, pearl barley, buckwheat, millet porridge. It is necessary to consume as many foods as possible containing fiber and plant fiber, they stimulate the intestines.

Instead of drugs, you can use traditional medicine: decoctions of beets or gooseberries, decoction of dill or caraway seeds. Chamomile and mint teas. A good and affordable remedy is dried dried apricot fruit compote, fig prunes. Compote is drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, and fruits are eaten from it during the day. Folk remedies must be used carefully, first you need to make sure that this recipe does not cause an increase in the tone of the uterus. You should especially be careful with various herbal decoctions. Many herbs are contraindicated for pregnant women, so be sure to consult a specialist before using them. The simplest and most harmless remedy for constipation is a glass of cold water on an empty stomach.

Also, you should not forget about daily walks, simple gymnastics will help, several times during the day get up on all fours with your elbows on the sofa, this pose is good for the intestines.

Video: how to get rid of constipation at home

Useful video for expectant mothers. Natalie Vandebeek speaks in an accessible language about the causes and available treatments for such a common problem in expectant mothers as constipation. How can you avoid the appearance of such a problem by adjusting your diet, without the use of medications. And get rid of it if it already exists.

Difficulty emptying your bowels during pregnancy often comes as an unpleasant surprise for the expectant mother. And this condition is doubly upset if a woman encounters it during this period for the first time. This is a delicate problem, and they often begin to solve it when they no longer have the strength to pull. What to choose a laxative for pregnant women and can you do without it at all? Before taking any measures, you need to talk about the problem with your gynecologist, but it’s better to find out right away about what absolutely cannot be done.

Why do pregnant women experience constipation?

The nature of constipation in pregnant women is different from stool problems in women who are not in position. Except when constipation was chronic even before pregnancy. Most often, this condition becomes a consequence of the restructuring of the body both at the hormonal and physical levels. Usually, everything returns to normal after childbirth, but with an illiterate approach, problems with defecation can become habitual and will continue to accompany the new mother even after the birth of the child.

What causes constipation during pregnancy?

Testosterone

The main reason that inevitably haunts absolutely every woman from the first hours of pregnancy is a hormonal surge. The main task of the body during this period is to preserve the nascent life, and everything else is secondary. Until the end of the last trimester, the hormone progesterone is raging, which is also responsible for the contraction of the uterus. Its concentration increases from the moment of ovulation, and if fertilization does not occur, it rapidly drops and menstruation begins. When pregnancy has come, the hormone becomes more and more, but it acts not only on the uterus, but also on other muscles of a similar structure, including the intestinal. The result of this influence is sluggish peristalsis and, as a result, problems with defecation.

Uterine pressure

Already in the second trimester, the size of the uterus is rapidly increasing and it begins to put pressure on the nearest organs. The strangulated bladder and intestines are especially uncomfortable. An unnatural position becomes the cause of stagnation of fecal masses, and together with the continuing progesterone, the occurrence of constipation becomes more and more likely.

Decreased physical activity

The third trimester is marked by rapid weight gain, the appearance of edema, which causes a decrease in the motor activity of the expectant mother. By preferring to sit or lie down more, the woman aggravates the problem more and more. Movement speeds up metabolism, stimulates the intestines and saturates the organs with oxygen. Deprived of this opportunity, the body reduces the tone of the muscles lining the intestines.

Food poor in fiber

Pregnant women also owe their "perverted" taste preferences to progesterone. Unfortunately, a woman in a position is more likely to want chocolate or a burger than oatmeal, and this causes bowel disruptions.

Lack of fluid

Swelling by the end of the last trimester causes considerable discomfort, and sometimes it can be the reason for an emergency delivery. Trying to solve the problem of fluid retention, pregnant women limit the amount of fluid entering the body. This immediately inevitably affects the work of the intestines.

Iron preparations

Often, pregnant women are prescribed products containing iron, the day the hemoglobin level rises. This also often leads to constipation. The feces become harder, the act of defecation delivers significant discomfort, and often pain, anal fissures are often formed.

Problems before pregnancy

If constipation is familiar to a pregnant woman, then during the period of carrying a child, the problem can only get worse. The usual drugs are often not taken, and those that are allowed do not have the desired effect.

Thus, there are plenty of prerequisites for the development of constipation in pregnant women. But with a competent approach, it is possible, if not completely exclude, then significantly weaken their influence.

Types of laxatives

The choice of drugs that normalize bowel function only seems huge. In fact, all laxatives are divided into just four groups. Within one group, there are drugs that are similar in their principle of action and it is he who determines whether a particular remedy can be used by pregnant women to solve their problem.

1. Medicines that irritate intestinal receptors and aggressively stimulate peristalsis (Guttalax drops, Senade tablets, Bisacodyl, etc.).
2. Saline solutions and macrogol preparations that attract liquid and prevent it from being absorbed (magnesia, sodium sulfate). As a result, the lingering solid feces soften, increase and the intestines reflexively seek to remove it.
3. Biologically active plant-based supplements (Mukofalk, Fitomucil). They contain components that swell in the intestines, stimulating peristalsis in a natural way, and extracts from various herbs, berries, fruits, which have a laxative effect.
4. Preparations acting as prebiotics (Lactulose, Duphalac). As a result of the breakdown of these funds, substances are formed in the intestines that soften the feces. In addition, they normalize the intestinal microflora, which in the long term helps to consolidate the achieved effect.

Preparations from the first two groups are usually prohibited for pregnant women. With regard to dietary supplements, an individual approach is advisable, based primarily on the composition of the product, as well as the anamnesis and history of the course of pregnancy.

The most preferred during this period are funds from the fourth group. It is represented by lactulose and lactitol preparations.

What laxative can you do in the early stages?

The first trimester is the most "fragile" stage. Any little thing can provoke an abortion. Hypertonicity of the uterus during this period is the most frequent diagnosis in new mothers. The reason for this condition can be stress, toxicosis, unreasonable physical activity, sex and many other factors. Adding laxatives to them is at least unwise.

So what laxative can you use during pregnancy?

Duphalac (Portalac, Lactulose, Normase)

In the first and second trimesters, Duphalac and its synonymous drugs are almost the only drug solution to the problem. They are laxatives thanks to a substance called lactulose. Lactulose is an artificially synthesized substitute for lactose, which is part of breast milk. It is even used in pediatrics from the first days of a baby's life, so pregnant women can use it without fear. The only limitation to taking this medication is individual sensitivity to the active substance.

Duphalac, like any medicine, has some disadvantages.

1. Firstly, its action is not instantaneous, but occurs after a day or three. But here it is worth noting that any laxatives for oral administration, which act quickly, are prohibited for use by women throughout pregnancy.
2. Secondly, taking lactulose at first almost always causes flatulence. You have to come to terms with this and wait for the body to rebuild. Usually one or two days is enough. You can relieve the condition with dill water.

They drink Duphalac regardless of the meal, but it is better to do it in the morning at the same time. The dosage will need to be determined independently. It is recommended to start with 20 ml, gradually reducing the rate. They take the medicine once a day, unless otherwise agreed with the attending physician.

Exportal

Powdered laxative. The active ingredient lactitol is also a lactose derivative, therefore the principle of operation of the Exportal is similar to Duphalac.

The medicine is taken once with meals, previously dissolved in any liquid. The daily allowance is 20 mg and is adjusted depending on the result achieved.

In the first days of treatment, flatulence and heaviness in the stomach are also possible, which disappear after a day or two.

Microlax

These are microclysters, which have a rapid laxative effect, softening the feces. The desired effect comes after a quarter of an hour.

The drug is approved for use by pregnant women in agreement with the doctor, but only as an emergency, one-time. Chronic constipation during pregnancy is best treated with other medications to avoid electrolyte imbalance and the bowel reflex.

The contents of one micro enema are injected into the rectum once.

Mukofalk

It is a dietary supplement, a herbal preparation. Produced in powder obtained from plantain seeds. The drug has no restrictions on taking it during pregnancy, it is used in a sachet up to six times a day. The granules are pre-diluted with water.

Reception must be negotiated with a doctor, since dietary supplements, unlike drugs, are under less strict quality control. The use of Mucofalk may be accompanied by flatulence, a feeling of fullness in the intestines, and special cases of intolerance to the components are not excluded.

The course of therapy can be long, but requires the use of a sufficient amount of liquid. In the early stages, this does not pose a threat, but it may be undesirable in the last trimester.

Fibralax

The drug is an analogue of Mucofalk. It is produced in powder form and has the same indications and contraindications as its counterpart. It is used in a sachet up to three times during the day before meals, or, after an hour and a half, after.

Phytomucil

Another dietary supplement. Consists of plantain seeds and plum extract. It has no contraindications to taking it during pregnancy.

The tool is also available in powder form and requires dissolution in kefir, yogurt or water before use. The daily rate is determined individually, but should not exceed 4 sachets per day. The duration of admission depends on how quickly the result will be achieved.

Glycerin candles

Such suppositories can be used to stimulate bowel movements throughout pregnancy. But it is undesirable to make this method habitual, since any artificial irritation of the intestines leads to a decrease in its tone and can lead to chronic constipation.

You can not use in the first trimester as laxatives: Guttalax, Slabilen, Regulax, Slabikap, Laxigal, Glycelax suppositories.

Laxatives for pregnant women in the early stages, which are taken with caution, in extreme cases and only as prescribed by a doctor: Bisacodyl, Dulcolax, Forlax, Endofalk, Lavacol, Fortrans, Moviprep.

What laxative can be used in the later stages?

The closer the delivery is, the more caution should be taken with filler preparations containing cellulose or any other substance that grows in the intestines. During therapy with these agents, it is necessary to observe the drinking regime. Otherwise, the problem can only get worse. Therefore, if you have severe swelling, it is undesirable to take such medications. These include the above plant-based dietary supplements.

The most preferred laxative for late pregnancy is Duphalac and its analogues. Do not worry if you have already started taking this drug before. It is non-addictive and does not interfere with the normal bowel reflex.

During this period, you can also irregularly put on glycerin-based laxative suppositories for pregnant women, as a means of gently stimulating bowel movement.

Saline solutions and preparations containing macrogol (Fortrans, Forlax, Lavacol), which, according to strict indications, could be taken in the early stages, are now categorically contraindicated, since they violate the electrolyte balance, lead to increased swelling, which is fraught with undesirable consequences for the child.

According to the instructions for use, in the second and third trimester, in agreement with the doctor, it is permissible to use Guttalax drops. Although the manufacturer pays attention to the insufficient research base of its product on pregnant women. A similar situation is with the drug Regulax.

Laxative side effects and danger during pregnancy

Laxative medicines are potentially dangerous, just like any other medicine. But the threat lies not so much in the composition of the means, as in the interference with the natural physiological process. Any pills, enemas, suppositories ultimately cause addiction, relax the intestinal muscles, disrupting the reflex of its emptying. The exception is lactulose preparations, which can be taken for a long time, even for years.

The second danger lurks in aggressive components that enhance peristalsis due to irritation of intestinal receptors. These are products containing senna, all kinds of drops and all pills, with the exception of some dietary supplements. The action of these drugs can cause hypertonicity of the uterus and premature birth. The effect of such medications directly on the fetus is usually not well understood.

Saline solutions pose a separate danger, the use of which is fraught with edema with all the ensuing unpleasant consequences.

Despite the difficulty of choosing laxatives, it is impossible to ignore the problem of constipation while waiting for it to “pass by itself”.

Long delays in the act of defecation in pregnant women are fraught with the following consequences:

• poisoning of the mother and fetus as a result of the retention of toxins in the intestines;
• the pressure of the overflowing intestine on the uterus, which leads to an increase in its tone;
• deterioration of blood circulation in the pelvic organs.

Folk remedies for constipation for women in position

Hearing about folk remedies, most often we imagine bunches of aromatic herbs, teas, tinctures. Unfortunately, during pregnancy, all this has little place in the diet of the expectant mother.

It is mistakenly believed that once a herbal remedy, then it has no contraindications, side effects and it does not contain "chemistry". Alas, pregnancy and many plants are incompatible, undesirable reactions can occur even in response to taking valerian, and as for the "chemistry", in our environmental conditions, only aloe grown in a pot at home can be safe. Therefore, refuse to take a variety of laxative preparations, even if the magic word "monastic" is written on them.

During pregnancy, it is strictly forbidden to use drugs containing senna and buckthorn. Therefore, carefully read the composition of medicines, dietary supplements and laxative fees.

What remains in the arsenal of traditional medicine?

Fasting water

Start your morning with a glass of cool water. You can put it on your bedside table in the evening. Start breakfast after half an hour. This procedure irritates the intestines and stimulates peristalsis.

Mix of dried fruits

Grind dried apricots, raisins, prunes in a blender or meat grinder and eat a spoonful of the mixture a day. It's good if it happens at the same time. Do not exceed the dosage so as not to provoke flatulence.

Kefir with butter

Finish your day with a glass of this fermented milk product, adding a spoonful of vegetable oil to it. Kefir mildly weakens, and oil stimulates the production of bile, which further catalyzes the process.

Linseed oil

Has a laxative effect and is not prohibited from taking during pregnancy. Within reasonable limits, of course. A spoonful in the morning is enough before breakfast. In addition, this product will help prevent stretch marks and perineal tears during labor.

As for enemas, then during this period it is imperative to consult a doctor about the use of any of them. Pregnant women are strictly prohibited from hypertensive enemas and cleansing enemas are highly undesirable.

Massage the abdomen for constipation. How to do it at home?

It will help develop a reflex to defecate and self-massage. Please note that this procedure should not cause discomfort and even more painful sensations. Do it every day at the same time. It is good to supplement the massage the first time with the introduction of a glycerin candle. It is completely harmless for a pregnant woman and for an unborn child, if you do not resort to her help for a long time.

Lie on your back, relax your stomach and massage it in a circular motion with either hand in a clockwise direction. You can do this by directly touching the skin or through a cotton cloth. The movements can be soft, stroking, or slightly vibrating.

The duration of the manipulations is up to 10 minutes. At the end, it is better to lie down for 20 minutes, and then go to the toilet, even if there is no urge to defecate. In almost the same way, they teach children to potty by performing the same actions every day in a certain sequence.

When bowel movements begin to occur regularly, suppositories can be canceled.

Nutrition to improve digestion and peristalsis

Before you start taking laxatives, tidy up your diet. It is very convenient during pregnancy to justify overeating and the use of heavy, salty, smoked, spicy food by your position. "If you want, then the child demands!" - you can often hear from the expectant mother. Yes, this is true, but it does not mean rejection of healthy food, rich in fiber and vitamins.

Eating rules during pregnancy are inherently the same as a normal healthy diet. Another thing is that very few people follow them even before pregnancy. Try to comply with such norms to facilitate bowel function and provide the necessary components for the growing baby.

1. Eat fractionally. 2-3 times of eating is not enough, increase the amount to 5-6, reducing the portions. Breakfast should be hearty enough, supper light.
2. Pay attention to vegetables, fruits, berries, table greens. Choose non-acidic, mild plant foods. It is best to add carrots, beets, pumpkin, Jerusalem artichoke, sweet apples, plums, apricots to the diet.
3. Include porridge on the menu. Start your morning with oatmeal, and don't forget about buckwheat. But it is better not to lean on rice and legumes during this period.
4. It is useful to use dried fruits instead of sweets, chocolate, baked goods. But be careful, because you can eat more of them than fresh fruits, and this, firstly, is very high in calories, and secondly, it causes bloating.
5. Don't forget about soups. It is better to give preference to light vegetables than borscht and hodgepodge. If possible, eat the first course at lunch every day.
6. Choose dairy products carefully. While drinking whole milk is undesirable, kefir usually weakens, and yoghurts normalize microflora.
7. Drink enough, especially as long as you are not suffering from swelling. Just plain water or herbal teas.

And don't forget to move more. If sports have not previously been a part of your life, try special yoga courses for pregnant women. During the day, be sure to take time to walk, walk at least one stop. Do basic exercises at home. A rational, balanced diet, sufficient fluid and physical activity will help to completely avoid taking laxatives, as well as various pathologies, difficulties in childbirth and facilitate the recovery period after them.

Often one of the concerns of a woman during pregnancy is bowel disruption and regular constipation. The situation is complicated by the fact that not all laxatives are acceptable during pregnancy. How to help the body work properly?

The child inside the mother is rapidly developing and growing. Together with it, the uterus also increases, which is reflected in all the organs that surround it. So, under its pressure from the uterus, the intestines are compressed and moved 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, the “food waste” does not move well through the intestine, resulting in constipation.

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

Often during pregnancy, doctors recommend taking extra 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, snacks in dry food, 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 flow of toxins through the blood to the fetus.
• Increased pressure on the uterus can provoke uterine hypertonicity.
• The blood vessels are compressed, which can lead to hemorrhoids (see about treating hemorrhoids in pregnant women).

Therefore, you need to help the intestines to get rid of unnecessary accumulations. This does not mean that pregnant women can use laxatives uncontrollably. Firstly, some of them are contraindicated in 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 the loss of essential body salts.

What laxatives can I 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 between different medications, and only a specialist can calculate a suitable scheme for taking them. In different situations, the doctor may recommend a suppository, suspension, enema.

Lactulose based preparations

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

Based lactulose disaccharidesuch drugs as “Duphalac”, “Portalak”, “Normaze”, “Dinolak”, “Romfalak”, “Goodluck”, “Lactulose poslabin” have been developed.

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

However, these mild pregnancy laxatives have some drawbacks:

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

In this respect, the drug "Dinolac" has a certain advantage: it contains simethicone. This active ingredient helps to reduce gas formation, it is not absorbed and leaves the body without losing its original appearance.

In addition, lactulose preparations can be unsafe for those suffering from high blood sugar and lactose intolerance. Diabetics need a doctor's consultation, and those who are lactose intolerant need to be guided by their well-being.

Laxative suppositories for pregnant women

Candles filled with oil or petroleum jelly are considered safe and effective. They have a local effect, but are not recommended in the first trimester. Otherwise, there are almost no side effects, and the result of taking it comes pretty quickly - within half an hour.

Another quick remedy for constipation. This method is valid only from the second trimester to 36 weeks. Moreover, if the previous pregnancy was interrupted, it is better to refuse this treatment option for constipation.

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

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

Microclysters are on sale (for example, Mikrolax). They can be safely used by all pregnant women.

Laxatives contraindicated during pregnancy

There are medicines that are better for pregnant women to remove from their medicine cabinet. These include some types of laxatives.

Irritating intestinal wall

This type of drug represents the largest portion of laxatives. The first reason why they should not be pregnant is that excessive irritation of the intestines creates a threat of miscarriage. In addition, due to constant tension, the intestinal receptors are depleted, 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 means before pregnancy, then when carrying a child she needs to refuse them.

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

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

Swelling laxatives

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

In addition, taking such a drug involves a large intake of fluids and their retention. Given the tendency to edema in pregnant women and possible malfunctions of the urinary system, this is not a suitable option.

Saline solutions

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

What else can you do for constipation in pregnant women?

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

You need to include in your diet dried fruits and compotes from them. Prunes, like dried apricots, are known for their laxative properties. They are better to replace chocolate, which should be discarded 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 the state of health: in case of kidney and heart diseases, which lead to edema, it is impossible to increase the amount of fluid consumed. Juicy vegetables will come to the rescue.

There are some simple recipes to help your gut do its job. For example, immediately after waking up, drink a glass of water with a lemon wedge and a spoonful of honey. This simple action will "wake up" the intestines and, if necessary, help to cleanse them.

A mixture of dried apricots, prunes and raisins has a good laxative effect. In equal parts, 50 grams each, dried fruits must be chopped and mixed with a tablespoon of honey. This delicious medicine is recommended to be taken 2 teaspoons before bed with a glass of water.

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

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