This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional health services. Talk to your doctor about … The issues with pregnancy. These cookies do not store any personal information. If none of these natural remedies seem to help, your doctor may suggest taking a mild laxative. However, long-term use can have some side effects such as electrolyte imbalances on the mother. They soften the stools by drawing fluid into the gastrointestinal tract from the surrounding tissues. Their use is not associated with any adverse effects on the baby. Such a laxative is milk of magnesia, and is considered to be safe during pregnancy. Metamucil is a bulk forming laxative and is also considered safe in pregnancy. You should always consult your doctor before taking any stronger medication. Draksharishta. … 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). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Lower levels of magnesium salt in the blood. Pregnancy constipation, defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a … The safest way to relieve constipation is to increase fiber and water intake and stay physically active. Cod liver oil is one of the most natural treatments for constipation in pregnancy and a … Your doctor might also … If you've recently given birth, consult your doctor before using laxatives. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Before you do, make sure to consult your doctor and become informed about the safest course to follow when using laxatives while pregnant. Excessive or prolonged intake of laxatives could result in the following side effects. For more information on constipation and ways to relieve it, please visit this link. Is It Safe To Take Laxatives During Pregnancy? ), Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy (434-66). 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. Multiple studies have not associated any harmful effects and thus these laxatives are considered safe during pregnancy. Stimulant laxatives may cause uterine … Do not try to self-medicate; instead, talk to your doctor about using medicines for constipation or any other health issues during pregnancy. Senna (Senokot) and Bisacodyl (Correctol) are considered safe in small doses. A common problem during pregnancy, constipation is quite uncomfortable. One reason for constipation during pregnancy is an increase in the hormone … 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. Genuine stool softeners … Did you try any natural laxatives during pregnancy? They take around 30 minutes to six hours for causing an effect. Share your experience with us in the comments section below. They add bulk to the stools by helping them retain liquid for an easy bowel movement. Sugar laxatives or electrolyte laxative … Constipation is a common complaint during pregnancy, which means questions about using laxatives during pregnancy are frequent, as well. 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… However, several medicines have … Talk to your practitioner before taking any constipation medication or remedy. Common questions and concerns during pregnancy in Harms, Roger W. 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. One mild laxative, considered to be safe to take during pregnancy, is Milk of Magnesia. 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. The... 2) Osmotic laxatives One mild laxative, considered to be safe to take during pregnancy, is Milk of Magnesia. One study has found that mothers who had docusate sodium when pregnant had babies with low magnesium levels and suffered temporary jitteriness. Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria naturally found in fermented foods, including kefir, … 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. Laxatives to Avoid During Pregnant Stimulant laxatives is not recommended to be consumed while pregnant because it might stimulate uterine contraction. 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. Sometimes, these mild laxatives do not work, and hence … Since these ingredients generally do not get into the … In addition, make sure you do not overuse laxatives. 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. However, castor oil which is a natural laxative (7) could cause fetal morbidity (4). This means exposure to the pregnancy is small. Remember that laxatives are only a second option, the first being dietary changes and mild exercises to ease constipation. They cause water and fats to penetrate the stools, thus encouraging it to move quickly through the gastrointestinal tract. Laxatives are not known to increase the probability of birth defects or other major pregnancy issues. Natural Ways to Deal with Constipation During Pregnancy. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Fiber or bulk laxatives include psyllium (Metamucil®) and methylcellulose (Citrucel®). Stool softeners are generally considered safe during 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. Psyllium (Metamucil), methylcellulose (Citrucel), isphagula, carboxymethyl-cellulose, and sterculia are some of the bulk-forming laxatives. If none of these remedies help, your doctor might recommend using a mild laxative. Just like fiber-rich food, certain medications can induce bulk formation in the gut. Your doctor may also recommend taking a bulk-producing agent like Metamucil. Last reviewed 01/2018. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. They take 12 to 72 hours to work. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Milk of magnesia is one such laxative which is very safe and mild. … Let us take a look at the different types of laxatives that doctors usually prescribe during pregnancy (3) (5). 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. 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. In general, milk of magnesia is considered safe to use during pregnancy, but you should always double-check with your doctor before taking it. Stimulant laxatives are … Fibercon (calcium polycarbophil) Metamucil ( psyllium) Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) Miralax (polyethylene glycol) Check with your doctor before taking any medicines during … New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. Your doctor may also recommend taking a bulk-producing agent like Metamucil. Generally speaking, it is the best advice to avoid laxatives during pregnancy as many of them work by artificially stimulating your stomach muscles. One reason for constipation during pregnancy is an increase in the … Is Magnesium Citrate Safe During 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). If none of these products work, a stronger medicine might be considered. All rights reserved. Docusate sodium (Colace) and Dicoto are such medications. Colace … Get the Fetal Life App for Apple and Android endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association. Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy: Up to half of pregnant women get constipated at some point. Known to aid in cleaning the bowels, this tonic is usually taken in a dosage of 10 ml … If these remedies seem to be ineffective, then the doctor would prescribe mild laxatives, as the second line of treatment (3).