During pregnancy, a woman often faces a problem such as constipation. There is a very logical explanation for this, on early dates the hormonal background of the body changes, which negatively affects the intestinal motility. On later dates pregnancy increases the pressure on all organs involved in digestion, due to the growth of the fetus in the womb and excessive pressure on it. Then a laxative is used during pregnancy.

Timely bowel movement directly affects the state and well-being future mother... With constipation, she feels uncomfortable, may experience pain in the lower abdomen, which will also negatively affect the baby. Moreover, the woman strains the abdominal muscles, which often leads to the tone of the uterus and the threat of miscarriage. In such cases, it is necessary to resort to the use of medicines or methods of traditional medicine.

How to choose a laxative during pregnancy?

If such a delicate problem arises, a woman, first of all, should discuss a laxative with her obstetrician-gynecologist. It is the doctor who "leads" the pregnancy will be able to choose the drug, taking into account all the risks and contraindications. Sometimes it may be necessary to consult a therapist, such a need arises in the presence of chronic diseases in a pregnant woman, for example, gastritis, pyelonephritis, etc.

Water is the easiest remedy for constipation

Today, many pharmaceutical companies offer a huge amount of their products. It is often difficult to stop your choice on something specific, but still there are a number of criteria that the expectant mother should rely on:

• it is dangerous to choose preparations based on saline solutions. These include solutions of magnesia (magnesium), Karlovy Vary salt, potassium and sodium solution, etc. The action of such laxatives can lead to laxative disease. Thus, laxatives, which include saline solutions, of course, will help to empty the intestines at a time, but in the future they will only lead to complications;

Laxative disease is a syndrome in which the microflora and water-salt balance in the intestine are disturbed.

• preparations containing fatty lubricants should also be avoided. These laxatives include minerals that break down and soften stool to relieve constipation. The downside of these drugs is an obstacle to the absorption of necessary vitamins into the body of a pregnant woman, and therefore to the fetus. It will also negatively affect intrauterine development fetus;

Fatty lubricants are organic substances that act as lubricants and are based on animal oils.

• preparations containing lactulose are safe. Lactulose is a type of saline solution, but its salt content is minimal and will not harm the health of the expectant mother and her baby;
• preparations of local action will be the safest, because their absorption through the intestinal wall is minimal. On the contrary, drugs that are taken orally will also get to the fetus, so when choosing between suspension and rectal suppositories, you should opt for the second option.

So, when choosing a laxative during pregnancy, it is important to remember the above selection criteria. It should be noted that taking medications that help to cope with constipation that has arisen should not be constant. Problems of this nature will still arise in a pregnant woman, but constipation is a disease that can also become chronic.

Laxatives in early pregnancy

In the early stages of pregnancy, the threat of miscarriage is most often present, and doctors during this period recommend rest for the woman. Low physical activity together with a change in the level of progesterone in the body, it leads to a violation of intestinal motility. During such a period, the expectant mother cannot cope without medication.

Duphalac is a modern and safe laxative

In the first trimester of pregnancy, it is worth choosing the most gentle drugs, because a sharp increase in intestinal motility can lead to miscarriage. Among these drugs, Duphalac, created on the basis of lactulose, can be noted. It is dispensed without a doctor's prescription. Duphalac is a syrup that is available in 200, 500 or 1000 ml bottles, as well as 15 ml portions in sachets. This drug not only improves peristalsis, but also has a beneficial effect on the microflora, and also promotes the elimination of toxic substances (ammonia, ammonium ions, etc.)

Duphalac's analogues are Poslabin Lactulose, Prelax, Portalak, Transulose. The price category of these drugs varies from 150 to 400 rubles, depending on the pharmaceutical company and the dispensing pharmacy.

Laxatives in late pregnancy

In late pregnancy and after childbirth, expectant mothers often use rectal suppositories. They are convenient in that they act after 15 minutes, do not require long-term use and absolutely do not enter the blood of a pregnant woman, and therefore to the baby.

Glycerin is another safe and easy-to-use product

Among such rectal suppositories, it is worth highlighting glycerin suppositories. They act by irritating the intestines. Dispensed without a doctor's prescription. The price ranges from 150 to 200 rubles per package containing 10 suppositories. It should be used with caution during the period of inflammation of hemorrhoids, the presence of cracks in the anus and the tone of the uterus. With the tone of the uterus, papaverine rectal suppositories are most often prescribed, which also weaken the intestines due to their composition.

Microlax is a mini-enema that can be used even by pregnant women

Recently, the drug Microlax has been very popular. These are disposable enemas of 5 ml with an applicator 5 cm long of medium hardness, which allows you to painlessly inject the drug into anus... It works within 15 minutes and is absolutely safe to use. It is dispensed without a doctor's prescription in carton packs of 4 or 12 microclysters. The price varies from 300 to 1200 rubles, depending on the amount of the drug.

Forlax is a remedy that a doctor can prescribe in the last trimester of pregnancy

In the third trimester of pregnancy, a woman can use osmotic drugs. These include drugs that increase the contents of the intestine and retain water in it, for example, Glycelax, Forlax, Lavacol. Expectant mothers in late pregnancy should be more careful about the drugs they are taking, because strong laxatives can cause preterm labor and a number of side effects.

Bisacodyl during pregnancy

Bisacodyl is a laxative that has an effect on the increase in mucus and intestinal motility. Dispensed without a doctor's prescription. It is sold in carton packs: 30 pills each, 10-12 candles each, and 24 pills each. Price - from 30 to 100 rubles.

Bisacodyl - a remedy to be treated with great care during pregnancy

According to the instructions for use, the drug should be used with caution during pregnancy. In practice, he is appointed as a last resort, because is not gentle. The instructions also indicate that at least 2 hours must pass between the intake of dairy products and Bisacodyl.

Most often, the drug is prescribed before the planned cesarean section, directly at night, so that a bowel movement occurs in the morning. In any case, you need to take Bisacodyl only as directed by your doctor.

Weak during pregnancy

Weak is a laxative in drops. Drops are in a bottle of 15 and 30 ml. It acts by irritating the intestinal mucosa and also affects peristalsis.

Weak in the first trimester is contraindicated

The instructions for use say that the drug should not be taken by pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy and with caution in subsequent periods. The necessary studies have not been carried out in pregnant and lactating women, but at the same time the drug practically does not enter the bloodstream, and therefore to the baby.

To use the drug or not, even after a doctor's appointment, of course, by the pregnant woman herself, but you should still pay attention to a number of side effects after taking and more sparing medicines that exist today.

Folk laxatives during pregnancy

In this article, folk laxatives should be understood as food and some decoctions. You should not resort to various herbs, oils used internally.

The fact is that with constipation, oils are recommended to be taken on an empty stomach, and this can negatively affect digestion in general. So, for example, women suffering from diseases of the kidneys, stomach and pancreas, as well as the liver should not resort to such measures. The oils have an enveloping effect and increase the amount of mucus in the intestines, thereby "loosening the stool". On the other hand, due to the coating of the digestive organs with an oily film, beneficial nutrients and minerals will no longer enter the mother's body, which has a number of negative consequences.

Acceptance of decoctions for pregnancy acts individually. May come to light allergic reaction or an overdose will occur, which will tone the uterus or, conversely, relax the muscles.

Dried apricots and prunes are allowed for pregnant women and have a laxative effect on many.

The most effective way to deal with constipation during pregnancy is to adjust the diet of the expectant mother. In turn, such a measure can be taken in order to prevent problems with defecation. Here are some guidelines:

• drinking enough water (if there are no problems with edema);
• moderate physical activity;
• inclusion in the diet of foods that promote intestinal motility (prunes, beets, kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, yogurt, kiwi, cherries, etc.);
• reducing the amount of consumption of flour products and sweets.

Sports exercise can also have a positive effect on the normalization of intestinal motility.

A pregnant woman, if constipation occurs, should first of all discuss this problem with her obstetrician-gynecologist, who will find a solution to this problem. The use of laxatives should be prescribed by a specialist, he will also tell you how to adjust the diet or the necessary diet.

During pregnancy, due to an increase in progesterone levels, taking iron supplements, and pressure from the uterus on the rectum and large intestine, the risk of constipation increases. This condition is undesirable for women in position. A laxative during pregnancy is used only as directed by a doctor. Taking drugs that eliminate constipation at home should be done with extreme caution.

The nuances of choosing in the early stages

Laxatives for pregnant women should not be teratogenic. The main rule of safe therapy for constipation is only the local effect of the laxative in the intestinal lumen.

During early pregnancy, laxatives should not increase the tone of the uterus, since this condition is the main and most common cause of miscarriages in the first trimester. This indicates the impossibility of using the following funds in early pregnancy:

• Having a strong effect, stimulating intestinal peristalsis (sodium picosulfate, bisacodyl suppositories).
• Herbs containing anthraglycosides (senna, buckthorn, rhubarb, joster). Even laxative tea is prohibited for pregnant women.
• Saline laxatives due to the risk of water-electrolyte imbalance and muscle tone disturbance in this soil (Magnesium sulfate, Karlovy Vary salt).

Permitted laxatives during pregnancy in the 1st trimester are drugs acting like osmosis on a natural basis (psyllium husk, macrogol), lactulose-based products, pre- and probiotics.

Also, for pregnant women in the early stages, one-time help can be used - glycerin suppositories.

Psyllium husk

A safe laxative, long used for the treatment of constipation, which is of natural origin and is therefore considered relatively safe. Husk works like a fiber - it accumulates fluid in itself, making the feces heavier and softer, as well as facilitating the act of defecation by improving their sliding in the intestinal lumen.

The action develops gradually and manifests itself on the 2-3 day of admission. From side effects husk is considered the ability to aggravate constipation with insufficient fluid intake, as well as provoke bloating or a feeling of heaviness in the abdominal region. The use of such drugs during pregnancy should be agreed with your doctor.

• Mucofalk is a preparation based on the husk of Indian plantain seeds. Accepted 1 package 2 times a day. The contents of the package are poured with a glass of water at room temperature, kept for 5-10 minutes and taken orally. The preparation, ready for use, has the form of orange-flavored gelatin granules. An important point- for the treatment of constipation, the intake of the drug should be accompanied by the use of a large volume pure water- up to 2.5 liters per day. The price starts from 560 rubles for a package containing 30 bags.
• Phyto-mucil is a mild natural laxative. Is biologically active additive made from the seeds of the flea plantain and the fruits of the home plum. Reception mode - 1 sachet from 1 to 4 times a day, after stirring the contents of the package in half a glass of liquid - water, juice, kefir, tea. When treating with this drug, you must drink enough clean water. The price is from 310 rubles for 10 packages of funds.

Macrogol based products

Macrogol is a locally acting polymer capable of actively accumulating water in itself. Given this, macrogol-based osmotic laxatives can be used during pregnancy as directed by the attending physician when the benefits to the mother outweigh the potential danger to the fetus.
The substance acts cumulatively. The laxative effect is observed 24-48 hours after the start of use. Unlike other laxative drugs, it does not create a risk of developing a lack of electrolytes, and is also able to normalize the evacuation function of the intestine. Possible side effects - flatulence, a feeling of intestinal fullness, individual sensitivity reactions. During the intake, you must consume up to 2 liters of liquid per day.

• Tranzipeg is a preparation of macrogol 3500. It is taken 1 sachet per day after preliminary dissolution of the contents in half a glass of water. It is preferable to drink the remedy in the morning, half an hour after breakfast. It costs about 600 rubles.
• Forlax - macrogol 400. Accepted 1 sachet per day. Dissolve the contents of the bag in 200 ml of water. It is advisable to drink a glass of pure water or other liquid within 15 minutes after ingestion. The instructions allow taking the funds for up to 3 months, after agreement with a specialist. The price of 10 packages is 150-180 rubles.

Means of one-time use

When it is not possible to consult with a leading doctor about what laxative can be used for pregnant women, and constipation has already happened and urgent help is needed, quick-acting drugs based on glycerol will help. It stimulates intestinal peristalsis reflexively, softens stool, lubricates the rectal mucosa, promoting quick and effective bowel movements. Glycerol is a topically active substance that is approved for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and for babies from birth. The use of glycerin preparations at home is rarely accompanied by the manifestation of side effects when the indicated dosage is observed.

• Glycerin suppositories - apply 1 suppository per day, as needed. It is preferable to use a candle in the morning, half an hour after breakfast, but options are possible. Exceeding the dose, as well as overusing the use of suppositories, is not worth it because of the risk of addiction and a decrease in natural peristalsis. The price is about 60 rubles.
• Adulax - contains liquid glycerol. It is a permitted remedy during pregnancy, for the same reasons as glycerin suppositories. Microclysters are administered once a day, during the onset of constipation. The effect of the drug is manifested within 10-15 minutes after rectal administration. It costs about 300 rubles.

Treatment of constipation in late gestation

The occurrence of constipation in the second trimester of pregnancy, as well as during the transition to the third, is provoked by the increasing pressure of the uterus on the large intestine and rectum. The use of osmotic laxative drugs in the late stages is undesirable due to their ability to significantly increase the volume of feces, which can create additional discomfort for the expectant mother. In addition, for pregnant women in the 3rd and 2nd trimesters, a tendency to edema is characteristic, and it is not possible to provide the necessary drinking regimen for osmotic drugs.

The way out for a pregnant woman can be the use of prebiotic drugs, in acute cases - the use of urgent laxatives, and sometimes even intestinal irritants.

Disaccharide-based products

A synthetic sugar laxative can be used during pregnancy. It is not broken down by enzymes and enters the intestine in its original form. The disaccharide formula promotes the attraction of fluid, which helps to soften the stool. The products of enzymatic processing of the sugar molecule are an excellent breeding ground. beneficial bacteria, and an increase in acidity eliminates pathogenic microorganisms, and with them - the processes of fermentation, decay.

The most common example of a laxative that can be drunk by pregnant women is Duphalac syrup. The list of its analogues is wide. However, the dosages of lactulose are the same everywhere, respectively, the regimen of taking the syrup is the same. It is important that these drugs normalize the flora and restore peristalsis in an absolutely natural way, do not cause addiction or drug dependence, and therefore can be used both in late and early pregnancy.

• Duphalac - taken 20-45 ml in the morning on an empty stomach or at night, 2 hours after dinner. Upon achieving a stable result, 20 ml are used as maintenance therapy. The effect is manifested on the 2-3 day of admission. 200 ml of the drug costs from 300 rubles.
• Normase syrup 200 ml - from 280 rubles.
• Portalak - 390 rubles.
• Lactiol-based preparation - Exportal. Much less likely to cause bloating than Duphalac. 2 packages of the drug are dissolved in a glass of water and taken once a day. It costs about 430 rubles.

Chemical irritants to the intestines

These include drops and tablets of sodium picosulfate. It is a strong pro-chemical of a chemical nature, which artificially causes the activation of peristalsis. All picosulfate tablets are prohibited for pregnant women. The exception is Guttalax drops. The doctor decides whether they can be drunk by pregnant women after an objective comparison of the risks and benefits for each specific case. The drug is taken in 10 drops, dissolved in a small amount of water, at night. During pregnancy, taking the drug should be as short as possible.

Folk secrets of constipation elimination

For constipation in pregnant women, even strict doctors recommend trying products with a laxative effect at home before drinking a laxative from a pharmacy. Traditional folk recipes stool adjustments are based on them:

• Beets are the best remedy for constipation, which has no contraindications and only has a beneficial effect on the work of the whole body. Boiled beets should be grated, lightly salted, seasoned with vegetable oil and consumed at least 100 g every day.
• Kefir has good abilities to normalize the intestinal flora, if you eat fresh kefir regularly in the morning or evening.
• Vegetable oil. Drink vegetable oil to eliminate constipation, you can, but not castor, but 1 tbsp. l. linseed oil in the morning on an empty stomach will provide normal stool, and also cover the body's need for vitamins A, E and beneficial fatty acids.
• Fresh vegetables and fruits. Natural laxative for pregnant women, can be a regular fresh fruit. For example, an apple or a kiwi fruit. Apple is rich in iron and fiber, and kiwi is rich in organic acids with a mild choleretic effect.
• Time-tested laxatives for pregnant women are dried fruits from which tea is made. 6 small fruits of prunes are poured over a glass of boiling water overnight. Tea is drunk in the morning, and steamed fruits are eaten as a snack during the day.

Laxative products during pregnancy will help not only free the intestines, but also enrich the nutrition of the expectant mother with substances necessary for the growth and development of the baby. During pregnancy, you can take laxatives of a chemical nature, after consulting your doctor. Food products, which are folk remedies, are mildly weak, and therefore can be used by expectant mothers on their own.

Constipation during pregnancy is quite common and common. But very, very undesirable. Despite the fact that not all pregnant women manage to avoid the problem, it requires a mandatory resolution. After all, this not only brings discomfort to the expectant mother, but also poses a danger to the fetus.

However, in no case should you take any laxative (even of medicinal origin) on your own! The fact is that widely used drugs cause a sharp increase in the motor activity of the intestines, which can provoke a miscarriage. In addition, they have pronounced side effects in the form of increased pain and intestinal spasms, loss of fluid and salts (electrolytes) when loose stools occur. Such laxatives disrupt the work of the gastrointestinal tract, destroy the normal intestinal flora. These drugs can be partially absorbed by the mother's blood and through the placenta into the fetus.

Saline solutions with a laxative effect are especially dangerous - solutions of magnesium (magnesia), sodium and potassium, Karlovy Vary salt and others. Their use is contraindicated during pregnancy, as they disrupt the water-salt balance of a pregnant woman and can lead to serious side effects. But among them there is the only remedy that is resolved during this period - lactulose.

Fatty lubricants that soften stool, unfortunately, are also not suitable for a pregnant woman. These are mainly mineral oils, which, when taken for a long time, prevent the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, K.

To all that has been said, it should be added that long-term use of laxatives contributes to the development of addiction and strengthening. So, all traditional laxatives (hay leaves and aloe, rhubarb root, buckthorn bark, joster fruits, castor oil, bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate and many others) are strictly contraindicated for pregnant women!

What laxatives can be used by pregnant women?

But, fortunately, today there are a number of very safe for pregnant women. drugs... They are aimed at loosening the feces and facilitating their movement through the intestines. These laxatives contain derivatives of cellulose and polysaccharides, they attract fluid from the surrounding tissues to the intestine, most often such drugs are not absorbed, do not enter the bloodstream and are relatively neutral in their effect on the entire body. The main condition for a laxative used in pregnancy is that it must not cause uterine contraction and must be used for a long period of time.

Most often, for constipation, pregnant women are prescribed Dufalak. There are also many other drugs for liquefying feces and stimulating bowel movement: Tranzipek, Forlax, Normolact, Prelax and others.

But remember that it is necessary to resort to medications only in extreme cases, in the presence of hereditary or acquired diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. And the appropriate treatment should be prescribed only by a specialist.

If you suffer from constipation, try to follow the recommendations that will help to eliminate the problem, or at least partially cope with it. And the most reasonable thing, of course, would be to think in advance about the prevention of stool retention during pregnancy.

You should move more, exclude fortifying foods from the diet, and instead increase the amount of vegetable fiber in the menu.

Folk laxatives for pregnant women

Actually, mainly on the use of products with laxative and carminative properties, it is based folk treatment constipation during pregnancy. Because despite the huge arsenal medicinal plants, which are able to effectively fight constipation and have a pronounced laxative effect, all of them are prohibited for use by expectant mothers. If the problem of constipation is "fresh", stool retention is not yet critical, and the doctor has not prescribed medication for you, or you yourself do not want to resort to the help of pharmaceutical preparations, then you must turn to the services of certain food products. Activation of intestinal motility, stimulation of bowel emptying, softening of feces will be facilitated by the following products:

• prunes: you can simply eat a few berries of steamed prunes or add it to the beets for a delicious and healthy salad... But the infusion of prunes has the greatest efficiency: pour 5-6 berries of previously washed prunes with a glass of boiling water in the evening and leave to infuse until morning. In the morning on an empty stomach, drink compote and seize it with berries;
• beet: in addition to salad with prunes, raw or boiled beets can be combined with a variety of vegetables and fruits, eaten separately or as an addition to main courses;
• Apple: eaten every day raw apple facilitate bowel movements and diversify your diet;
• kiwi: this small tropical fruit is famous for its very pronounced laxative effect, and therefore, during pregnancy, kiwi should be eaten carefully - a remedy from the category of potent;
• brew: dried fruit compote is a highly concentrated vitamin drink. But if you prepare it from dried apples and cherries (for 1 liter of water - 1 glass of fruit), then such a compote will also help in the fight against constipation. And after insisting in boiling water, the berries must be eaten;
• kefir: Only fresh kefir cooked no more than 2-3 days ago, and best of all - today, has a laxative effect. More "older" drink, on the contrary, strengthens, therefore such kefir should not be used if you suffer from constipation. Kefir with constipation is useful to drink both at night and in the morning on an empty stomach;
• milk: By itself, cow's milk is not very helpful for constipation, although a high percentage of fat content can still soften the stool. But in folk medicine this product, when combined with others, helps to combat fecal retention. Boil 2 chopped figs in a glass of milk and take this "medicine" 4 times a day - a quarter of a glass at a time. Or you can do it easier: just dissolve half a spoonful of honey in a third of a glass of milk and drink at night;
• potato: squeeze the juice from two raw potatoes (using a juicer or grating) and dilute it in half with boiled water. The resulting drink must be drunk 60 minutes before meals;
• flax seed oil: very rich and rich in nutrients, and when you consume a spoonful of oil on an empty stomach every morning, it will also contribute to a smoother natural bowel movement. It is useful to use a variety of oils: olive, corn, pumpkin, walnut.

All these funds can be used without worries during pregnancy. But it must also be remembered that the best of them will always remain water - simple, purified, living (not boiled or distilled). Make sure to consume enough of this water daily. It is helpful to drink 1-2 glasses 40-60 minutes before each meal.

During pregnancy, many women have trouble defecating. They appear both in the first and second, and in the third periods of gestation. In addition to the occurrence of unpleasant intestinal colic and bloating, irregular emptying can significantly disrupt the health of the expectant mother and pose a threat to the life of the baby.

The full intestine presses on the uterus, which causes contraction of the uterine muscles. One of the most unpleasant consequences of constipation is premature birth. Laxatives are used to improve bowel movements. What products can be used by pregnant women?

Why do pregnant women often have constipation?

The appearance of constipation during pregnancy is explained by the physiological processes in the woman's body. Causes of problems with bowel movements in pregnant women:

Benefits of taking laxatives

Before prescribing laxatives, doctors try to help the pregnant woman in other ways. However, if these methods do not have the desired effect, safe means are selected.

Benefits of taking laxatives:

Harm from laxatives

Caution in the choice of laxatives during pregnancy is due to the fact that, in addition to the benefits, incorrectly selected drugs and doses can harm the body of the expectant mother and the growing baby. The negative effect of laxatives:

• A number of medications stimulate bowel function. This can affect the uterus and cause it to shrink.
• The water balance in the body is disturbed. There are substances that interfere with the absorption of fluid into the intestines. The stool becomes softer, but dehydration can occur.
• Addictiveness develops. If you abuse laxatives, then in the intestines, the processes that contribute to the natural excretion of feces will be disrupted. A person will not be able to defecate normally without the help of drugs.
• The intestinal microflora is disturbed.
• Gas formation increases and colic appears.
• The absorption of vitamins and microelements in the digestive tract is impaired.

What laxatives are prescribed during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, laxatives should only be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication is very dangerous, since the wrong choice of drug can lead to undesirable consequences. During the period of gestation, women are advised to use agents that do not have a stimulating effect on intestinal motility, are not absorbed into the bloodstream and are not addictive.

Lactulose based

Lactulose syrups are the safest laxatives during pregnancy. These drugs are most effective in the early stages. They soften hard feces with fibers that attract water. Feces are gently excreted, and the components of the drug are not absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract.

Lactulose-based products do not affect the ability of the intestines to absorb beneficial elements and are not addictive. During pregnancy, laxatives are prescribed from the following list:

• Duphalac;
• Normase;
• Prelax;
• Good luck;
• Lactulose.

Candles for pregnant women

Laxative suppositories are made on the basis of glycerin (for more details in the article: the use of suppositories based on glycerin during pregnancy). They soften the feces and help to facilitate the excretion of feces, as they lubricate the walls of the rectum. However, suppositories can only be used from the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. The most famous laxatives are Glycerin suppositories, but they have contraindications for use:

• acute form of hemorrhoids (see also: suppositories for hemorrhoids in the 1-3 trimester of pregnancy);
• uterine tone;
• the threat of termination of pregnancy;
• inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract;
• kidney disease;
• intestinal obstruction;
• internal bleeding;
• inflammation of the appendix;
• neoplasms in the rectum.

Enemas and microclysters

Enemas for pregnant women are given only when there is no threat of termination of pregnancy. An enema liquid is made from pure water and a glycerin solution. Most often, pregnant women are enema before childbirth. In the process of carrying a baby, microclysters are a less dangerous method of cleansing the intestines.

During pregnancy, Mikrolax microclysters are used (for more details, see the article: can Microlax be used during pregnancy?). They are available in 5 ml tubes filled with liquid. An enema solution is made on the basis of sodium citrate. The product gently softens feces and stimulates intestinal peristalsis. The effect of microclysters occurs in 15-40 minutes. However, experts do not recommend using enemas more than 1 time per week.

Laxatives contraindicated in pregnancy

Popular laxatives include teas and oral drops. However, they cannot be taken during pregnancy, as they can cause tension in the walls of the uterus and cause miscarriage or early birth.

The most dangerous agents during gestation are drugs with a pronounced irritant effect on the intestines, many swelling substances and saline solutions.

Drugs that irritate the intestinal wall

Stimulants, after penetrating the gastrointestinal tract, irritate the nerve elements of the intestine for several hours and accelerate the process of emptying. However, the stimulating effect extends to the reproductive organs, including the uterus.

A well-known drug in this group is Slabilen drops. The instructions for use of the drug indicate that the drug is contraindicated at the beginning of gestation, and at a later date it should be used with caution.
However, most experts advise to refrain from using it while waiting for the baby. The following stimulant laxatives are not recommended:

• teas and other herbal remedies based on buckthorn, senna, aloe, rhubarb, senade, castor oil;
• Guttalax;
• Bisacodyl;
• Dulcolax;
• Laxbene.

Swelling agents

The principle of action of swelling agents is based on the absorption of water from the intestinal walls and an increase in fecal masses in size due to the absorbed liquid. However, swelling of the stool leads to the fact that the intestinal walls stretch and press on the enlarged uterus, which provokes its tension.

TO negative consequences the use of swelling agents also includes water retention in the body, edema, and disturbances in the work of the excretory system. Laxatives in this category:

• Fortrans;
• Forlax;
• Transilan.

Saline solutions

Preparations based on saline solutions (sodium sulfate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate) facilitate the act of defecation due to softening of feces, as they attract fluid from the surrounding tissues to the intestine. However, due to the influence of salts, labor can be stimulated. A side effect of saline solutions is also dehydration, which is extremely dangerous for pregnant women.

Other methods for relieving constipation in pregnant women

To eliminate constipation in pregnant women, experts recommend paying attention to lifestyle, nutrition and fluid intake (we recommend reading: how to cope with constipation during pregnancy?). The table describes the principles of prevention and elimination of constipation at different stages of pregnancy without the use of drugs.

Direction	Fundamental rules	Features to consider
Correction of fluid intake in the body	Up to 20 weeks, you need to drink up to 2.5 liters of drinks per day, from 20 to 30 weeks - up to 1.5 liters, from 30 weeks - 1.3 liters.	The amount of fluid consumed is calculated taking into account the first courses. In the hot season, you need to drink 200 ml more. With edema, you need to reduce the dose of consumed drinks.
Physical activity	You need to walk in the fresh air every day. In the absence of risk for gestation, you can do water aerobics, swimming, gymnastics for pregnant women.	If there is a threat of premature birth, the amount of physical activity must be agreed with the attending physician.
Nutrition	The process of defecation is facilitated by foods containing fiber, dried fruits, boiled beets, rye bread, plums, apricots, figs, pineapple and cherry juices, zucchini, fresh dairy products, oatmeal.	You need to eat 5-6 times a day in small portions. In case of constipation, it is necessary to avoid eating the following foods: smoked meats, fried and fatty, fast food, fatty meats and fish, rice dishes, dark chocolate, coffee, semolina, pears, pomegranate, mashed potatoes, dark grapes and currants, stale sour milk products.

Many pregnant women also use folk ways eliminate constipation. However, when choosing one of them, you need to discuss with your doctor the safety of its use. The most popular recipes for folk remedies for constipation:

• A mixture of raisins, dried apricots, prunes and honey. Shift dried fruits in equal proportions, add st. a spoonful of honey. Eat 10 g every day before bed.
• Beetroot and carrot drink. Mix equal parts freshly squeezed carrot and beet juices. Drink several sips daily.
• Boiled beetroot salad with vegetable oil.

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, do not rush 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 your baby by 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 analogues:

• 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:

• an 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, the following 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 is painless, without straining or overstraining the muscles.

Although the instruction for Mikrolax allows 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. This 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 with 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. Food supplement belongs to the group of prebiotics, after taking the following happens:

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

Using laxatives allowed 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 chair will not be normalized.

Although medications containing plant fibers (Fitomucil, 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 gestational period, general condition 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 to get rid of stool. But if you use the drug long time, even mild motor stimulation will prevent you from going to the bathroom without medication.

Dyspeptic disorders

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

• Individual sensitivity to drug components. 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 effective and fast colon cleansing.

If diarrhea appears, then do not try to cope with the problem yourself - see your doctor. With diarrhea, absorption is impaired nutrients, liquid 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 triggered by:

• taking drugs that irritate the nerve receptors of the intestine;
• hypersensitivity organism to the active substance of the drug;
• incorrect selection of medication (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 miscarriage or premature birth.

Side effects if medical recommendations are followed, they rarely occur.

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 uterine contractility has been 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 gentle 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 easy 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 change your lifestyle, add laxative foods to your diet, or start treating a disease that caused stool retention.