Laxatives for pregnant women: a list of drugs and products

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Certainly, the period of pregnancy is a long-awaited and wonderful moment in the life of any woman. But this is a responsible event and a serious test, when you have to think not only about yourself, but also about the life that has already been born inside. First of all, this is a period of certain restrictions. Most often this concerns nutrition, physical activity and the intake of certain medications. For example, a laxative for pregnant women. Can it be accepted or not? If so, which drugs specifically and in what quantity? Let's figure it out so that rash decisions and actions do not lead to big problems.

Why not all laxatives are approved for pregnant women

The fact is that laxatives can cause:

• Significant increase in the muscular activity of the uterus. This can provoke a threatened miscarriage or premature birth.
• Loss of s alts andfluids during bowel movements.
• Adverse effect on the unborn child.
• The death of the intestinal flora due to the formation of mucus.
• Painful and spasmodic sensations in the intestinal area.

Based on the above, before deciding to take this or that laxative, it is imperative to consult with your doctor, since each organism is individual, and even more so in such an “interesting position”. Only a he althcare professional can tell you which laxative to take while pregnant.

Causes of constipation in pregnant women

Problems associated with bowel movements are primarily due to the fact that hormones produced during pregnancy slow down intestinal motility. Also in the later stages, the uterus presses heavily on the intestines, which leads to constipation.

List of laxatives

List of laxatives for pregnant women:

"Forlax", "Duphalac", "Tranzipeg", "Prelaks". These drugs of osmotic action, the main component of which is lactulose, do not have a negative effect on the intestinal mucosa, and there is no addiction to them. As a result of their use, intestinal peristalsis is stimulated and subsequent defecation occurs, which occurs almost naturally. The effect of the application can be felt after 4-24 hours

Only a doctor can prescribe a drug, change the regimen and dosage.

"Normakol" and "Norgalax". They are microenemas and are more effective and safer in the fight against constipation than traditional enemas (with water or chamomile decoction). The components of the preparations, stretching the walls of the colon, contribute to the stimulation of the intestines. Most often, the result can be felt already after 7-17 minutes

Note! The drugs should not be used for a long time. They can be attributed exclusively to the means of first aid. And one more thing: the medicine should not be used for those who have anal fissures, hemorrhoids and inflammatory diseases of the rectum.

• "Mukofalk". The drug has a natural composition. The action is based on the stimulation of peristalsis and the rapid removal of what has accumulated in the intestines. The effect of the application can be felt after 12-24 hours.
• Vegetable oils: olive, sunflower and linseed. They significantly increase the motility of the gastrointestinal tract. Oils can be used in frying and can be used in salad dressings.
• Glycerin laxative suppositories for pregnant women. They have a gentle effect and do not have a pronounced laxative effect. The action of rectal suppositories is based on the fact that irritation of the rectal receptors occurs, and this, in turn, is the cause of defecation. Such components of the drug as petroleum jelly and glycerin contribute to the softening of the intestinal contents and greatly facilitate the process of removing them to the outside. Apply the product in the morning (only once a day).

Remember that anythe drug can be used only after consulting a doctor. Do not be shy about the delicate issue of bowel problems. Remember that only you can take care of your he alth and protect your child from unpleasant consequences.

Things to keep in mind when making your own decision to use a laxative

During pregnancy, before you "throw" absolutely any pill into your mouth (even the most harmless in your opinion), you need to think a hundred times whether it is worth doing and what it can turn out to be. Thus, most laxatives have not been studied at all in terms of their toxic effects on the fetus, so they cannot be considered as laxatives for pregnant women.

Many of the drugs have very harmless side effects (for example, allergies). And strong drugs in general should be avoided, despite the fact that the instructions for their use do not include contraindications for pregnant women.

Also, do not take saline solutions of sodium, potassium or magnesium during the period when you are carrying a child. And drugs, the main components of which are oils (for example, castor oil), will not be useful for your he alth during this period.

Beware of laxatives based on Egyptian (or African) senna. Yes, it activates intestinal motility, but at the same time it helps to increase the tone of the uterus (this can lead to premature birth or miscarriage).

Take laxatives only in case ofnecessary, so as not to become addicted to them. Because such an activation of the intestines, created artificially, will not lead to anything good: the body will get so used to receiving the required medicine for constipation that it will refuse to work normally without drugs.

Can laxative teas help

Not every laxative for pregnant women with constipation is possible. Then maybe try herbal teas? Are they safe? Naturally, herbal teas are an excellent alternative to any medications, but not during pregnancy. During this period, one must be extremely vigilant, since some herbs that cause certain disorders in the body are absolutely contraindicated for pregnant women (for example, herbs that contribute to a sharp and frequent contraction of the uterus). In addition, do not forget that not only toxins are excreted with the liquid, but also many microelements useful for the development of the baby.

Do not listen to the grandmothers on the bench and your girlfriends, but rely only on the recommendations of medical specialists.

Advice for pregnant women to minimize the risk of constipation

What should be done in order not to bring the situation to constipation:

• You need to carefully monitor the regimen and diet of what you eat. That is, you need to make a correction in your diet. After all, it is no secret that many products significantly improve intestinal motility, contribute to its better emptying and are useful for its microflora: they are needed.consume.
• Do not forget about moderate physical activity. This refers to swimming, gymnastics for pregnant women, as well as daily walks in the fresh air. Physical inactivity is your enemy, so at every opportunity, change the position of the body in space and do warm-up exercises.

• Be positive and think positively about the future. Stay away from situations that can lead to stress.
• Water balance is of great importance in this situation.

In the morning, before breakfast, you should drink a glass of warm water (of course, filtered). But even about this useful procedure, it is also worth getting advice from your doctor.

We make power adjustments

Of course, taking medication for constipation is much easier than constantly monitoring what you eat, how much and when. But it’s better not to experiment with your body during such a period: leave it all for later (maybe).

Meals should be frequent, but small in volume. More vitamins and less fatty foods.

As a laxative for pregnant women can be:

• Fruits: plums, peaches, apples and apricots.
• Vegetables: zucchini, tomatoes, cabbage, beets, radishes, cucumbers, pumpkin, spinach.
• Dried fruits: prunes, raisins, dried apricots. 10-15 minutes before the reception, pour boiling water over it and let it brew.
• Dairy products.

Bran: rye, oat and wheat. They can be added to all dishes. But be careful: bran can cause stomach cramps

Avoid foods that can cause constipation. These are rice, eggs (boiled), legumes, grapes and strong tea.

Early pregnancy laxative

Causes of constipation in early pregnancy can be:

• The presence of toxicosis, which inevitably leads to a noticeable shortage of water in the body.
• Slow circulation in the abdomen.
• Possible medication to maintain pregnancy. They may well have a negative effect on the activity of the digestive tract and cause poor bowel movements.
• The production of the hormone progesterone in greater quantities, which is the cause of poor bowel function.
• Relatively low physical activity due to poor he alth or a real threat of miscarriage.
• Unadjusted for the condition of a woman in an "interesting position", nutrition.

At an early stage, to combat constipation, preference should be given (of course, after consulting a doctor) to the following drugs:

• Glycerin suppositories, which can be successfully used at almost any stage of pregnancy. They do not harm either the female body or the he alth of the baby. But this should not be a reason to start using rectal suppositories without consulting withyour doctor.
• The drug "Microlax". This solution, which is administered rectally, stimulates the flow of water into the rectum and helps to eliminate all that has accumulated in the intestines within 10-25 minutes. You can use it not only at any period of bearing a child, but even during lactation, since the components of the drug do not enter the bloodstream and are not absorbed into the tissues.
• Laxative for pregnant women "Mukofalk". It can be used at any stage of pregnancy and even in the presence of polyps, fissures and hemorrhoids. Before use, be sure to read the instructions and strictly follow all instructions.

Note: may cause bloating and flatulence in some cases.

Laxative for late pregnancy

What is special about the second and third trimesters of pregnancy? And it lies in the fact that the baby grows safely and gains weight in the womb. Along with it, the size of the uterus also undergoes changes, namely, it increases and puts pressure on other organs. The intestines also did not "escape" this fate, as a result of which constipation is formed.

Laxative for pregnant women at this time includes a medicine such as sodium picosulfate, which can be found in the commercial network in the form of tablets, syrup or drops under the following names: "Picolax", "Guttalax", "Slabilen" and "Guttasil". The drug is taken orally (that is, directly through the mouth, swallowing the medicine).

This medicationit is strictly forbidden to take in the early stages of pregnancy due to its possible harm to the development of the child. And one more thing: you can take sodium picosulfate only as directed by a doctor.