Laxatives during pregnancy 3 trimester. Laxatives for early and late pregnancy. Indications for use

Constipation is associated with changes in the digestive system of the female body. Progesterone, the main hormone of pregnancy, leads to a decrease in the tone of the smooth muscle of the walls of the stomach and intestines, and the enlarging uterus changes the position of the digestive organs. Therefore, so often pregnant women complain of constipation. Medication and non-medication means you can safely solve problems with defecation.

Constipation treatment

Non-drug and medical methods are used to treat constipation. Non-pharmacological include adherence to a diet, regular nutrition, changing a sedentary lifestyle to an active one. Medicines include the use of laxatives in various forms. A combination of different methods of dealing with constipation can be successful.

Correction of constipation begins with a change in diet, an increase in physical activity. Only when they are ineffective do they resort to drugs in the last place.

The main methods for correcting constipation:

• diet, increased physical activity;
• folk remedies;
• drug treatment.

Diet for constipation

Correct adherence to the diet, drinking plenty of water (water, juice, milk, compote) can normalize the stool without medication. It is recommended to eat fermented milk products, vegetables and fruits, beets, vegetable oil, dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, prunes), bran, muesli, dried fruit compotes.

Folk remedies

From folk remedies for constipation, a decoction of prunes, dried apricots and raisins helps. It is very easy to prepare it at home. With regular use, it is possible to successfully cope with defecation disorders without additional effort.

Another popular laxative for pregnant women is a mixture of 200 ml of low-fat kefir with one teaspoon of olive oil. The fermented milk mixture is drunk before bedtime.

An absolutely safe and effective way to treat constipation is to take a glass of cold water on an empty stomach. The effect of this method is realized due to intestinal irritation.

It is worth paying attention: many herbal remedies for constipation during pregnancy are prohibited. These include the leaves of rhubarb, senna, zhostera fruits.

Laxatives in early and late pregnancy

The arsenal of drugs during pregnancy is small. This is especially true in the early stages of pregnancy, when any unreasonable drug intervention can be fatal for the developing embryo.

Before using any drug, you should consult a specialist.

Laxatives are available in the form of syrups, suppositories, microclysters, and powders. Every pregnant woman can choose a convenient use option.

Syrups

Duphalac is a laxative that can be used early and late in pregnancy. This drug is based on lactulose, a substance that alters the intestinal microflora. The result is acidification of intestinal contents, which improves peristalsis. Lactulose has the ability to soften and increase the amount of stool, providing the mild laxative properties of Duphalac. It should be borne in mind that the laxative effect does not appear immediately. This will take several days. The use of the drug is not addictive.

Analogues of the drug Duphalac are Portalac, Normase, which have a similar mechanism of action.

The most common side effect of lactulose-based syrups is flatulence, which can worsen constipation symptoms. With pronounced gas formation, it is recommended to take the Dinolac emulsion, which, in addition to lactulose, contains the substance simethicone, which collapses gas bubbles in the intestine.

Candles

An alternative to constipation syrups are various suppository laxatives. The most common preparation in the form of suppositories during pregnancy is glycerin suppositories, based on the substance glycerin. With rectal administration of the suppository, irritation of the mucous membrane occurs, as a result of which the peristalsis of the end part of the colon increases. In addition, glycerin helps to soften the stool.

Laxative suppositories Dulcolax, based on bisacodyl, can be used during pregnancy, starting in the second trimester. When inserted into the rectum, suppositories stimulate the secretion of water and electrolytes, helping to soften the stool, and facilitate the act of defecation. Long-term use of these suppositories is not recommended.

Evakyu suppositories are an effective and safe remedy for constipation at all stages of pregnancy. The laxative effect is achieved by relaxing the annular smooth muscles of the lower sections of the large intestine.

Microclysters

Microlax is a laxative solution that is injected rectally with a tip. It is a saline laxative. The laxative effect is achieved by softening the intestinal masses. Its use is permissible in the early and late stages.

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 effect:

• 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.

Suppositories with glycerin

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. The food supplement belongs to the group of prebiotics, after ingestion, the following occurs:

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

When 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 (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 intestinal volume 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 to 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 will not be able to 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 located 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 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 uterine contractility has been described above. During pregnancy, do not drink any 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 make a lifestyle change, add laxative foods to your diet, or start treating a disease that caused stool retention.

Women rarely manage to avoid constipation during pregnancy. Even under normal conditions, constipation is very undesirable for a person, and during pregnancy it is extremely necessary to fight this phenomenon, since it can threaten the health of the unborn child. Many expectant mothers can fight constipation with a laxative during pregnancy. However, it is worth figuring out whether a laxative is possible during pregnancy and what contraindications exist.

Constipation during pregnancy: definition and main causes

Constipation is a violation of the process of defecation. Constipation manifests itself in different ways: stool frequency may decrease (less than 3 times a week), pain or difficulty may occur during stool discharge, intestines may partially empty, a woman may need to help herself with a bowel movement.

Constipation can occur for a variety of reasons. Pregnancy adds to them the problems characteristic of this condition:

1. Drinking and eating disorders caused by toxicosis.
2. Compression of the intestines due to the enlarging uterus.
3. Taking certain medications to maintain pregnancy that can cause constipation.
4. Increasing the production of progesterone, which supports pregnancy and at the same time reduces intestinal motility.
5. Taking iron supplements in case of development.

Is it possible to use a laxative during pregnancy?

In pharmacies, you can find many medicines for constipation for women in position: there are tablets, suppositories, drops, syrups, enemas and microclysters. All of them work on the principle of loosening the feces, making it easier for them to move through the intestines. The high quality laxative for pregnant women does not penetrate into the bloodstream and does not affect muscle fibers in any way, therefore it does not cause uterine contractions. Hence, such a laxative can be taken for a long time. But such drugs should not be abused, as this can provoke subsequent difficulties in the process of defecation: the body can get used to such help and begin to cope with its natural functions worse. Therefore, only a doctor can prescribe a laxative for pregnant women, and the patient must strictly adhere to the regimen and duration of treatment.

Approved drugs

What laxative can pregnant women use? There are several main types of medicines. Each group of drugs is characterized by a different level of safety and efficacy.

Stool softeners

These laxatives act on the water in the faeces, increasing its volume. Due to this, feces slide more easily through the intestines. The laxative takes effect after 3-4 hours. This group includes the following drugs:

• Microlax is a solution for rectal administration, it is available in a convenient form for use - in tubes of 5 ml. The agent stimulates the flow of water to the rectum and has a laxative effect. As a result, the feces are liquefied within 5-20 minutes.
• Phytomucil. The drug is used as a food additive. Produced in the form of a powder, which includes homemade plums and psyllium husks. In addition, it contains faecal softeners that are effective on stagnant stool. In addition, the product stimulates the stomach, improves appetite and promotes a long feeling of fullness. Attention! Only a doctor can prescribe Fitomucil during pregnancy.
• Glycerin-based suppositories. As a result of the oxidation process of glycerin inside the human body, the faecal masses soften and they are easier to drain out. The undoubted advantage of such funds is the possibility of using both in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. Since candles act locally, their use is safe and does not cause inconvenience. It is important to remember that prolonged use of suppositories can irritate the surface of the rectum, so they should be used with caution.

As a softener, oils can be used: vaseline or almond. They are used orally. It is extremely important to monitor the reaction of the body, since there is a possibility that under their influence, uterine contractions may begin.

Bulk laxatives (dietary fiber, cellulose)

These funds can be taken for quite a long time even during pregnancy, since they are not absorbed in the digestive tract. Their action is based on the absorption of water by hydrophilic fibers, as a result of which the feces are softened and easier to remove from the body. The effect is noticeable the next day after administration, but more often the result occurs after 2-3 days. Taking these drugs must be accompanied by the use of liquid - about 1-1.5 liters.

This group of laxatives includes:

1. Wheat bran.
2. Agar-agar.
3. Flax seed.
4. Methylcellulose.
5. Sterculia.
6. Seed of a fleavorot.

Before prescribing wheat bran, the physician should ensure that the patient does not have irritable bowel syndrome, which may be the cause of constipation. It is important to rule out this condition as large amounts of bran can exacerbate flatulence.

After taking agar-agar, bowel movements usually occur after 8-12 hours. Ingestion of the fleaworth seeds promotes stool in 12-24 hours. Effective bowel movement is achieved within 1-3 days after ingestion of methylcellulose. A volumetric laxative for pregnant women is advised for mild constipation.

Osmotic laxatives

Drugs in this group also increase the volume of water in the faeces, softening stool and stimulating intestinal motility. Short-term use of osmotic laxatives is considered harmless for women in position, but with prolonged use, electrolyte imbalance is possible.

Drugs in this group:

• Duphalac, Normolact, Lactusan, Inulin, Normase ,. They contain prebiotics that affect the natural intestinal microflora, soften feces, and contribute to the favorable development of bacterial cultures in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Saline preparations: sodium sulfate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate. They act on the principle of attracting water from the surrounding tissues into the intestines and liquefying feces. Not recommended for use by pregnant women due to the ability to cause uterine contractions.
• Endofalk, Fortrans, Forlax. In the composition of these funds there is a macrogol, which saturates the feces with water, returns sensitivity to the nerve endings in the intestines. These drugs do not enter the bloodstream, do not interact with the intestinal microflora and do not irritate its tissues.

Emollients work fastest. Bulk laxatives are considered the safest for home use. An osmotic laxative during pregnancy can only be prescribed by a gynecologist if other drugs are ineffective.

Laxatives prohibited for pregnant women

There are laxatives that expectant mothers are strictly forbidden to take. Therefore, it is necessary to select a laxative for pregnant women only under the supervision of a doctor.

Stimulants

This group of laxatives within 6-12 hours after ingestion affects the nerve endings in the intestine, stimulating peristalsis. As a result, the feces quickly pass away. However, it is not recommended to take this kind of laxative during pregnancy, as it provokes uterine spasm and is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Some doctors believe that stimulant laxatives are not only too aggressive, but also teratogenic and should therefore not be used during pregnancy or in any other case.

This group includes the following funds:

1. Dulcolax, Bisacodyl, Guttalax, Phenolphthalein, Laxabene, sodium picosulfate, etc.;
2. herbal remedies based on senna leaves, rhubarb root, buckthorn bark, Senade.

Lubricating laxatives

Drugs of this type are not absorbed by themselves in the digestive system, but can interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. The most famous representative of this group is castor oil.

How can you replace a laxative during pregnancy

It also happens that a change in diet and lifestyle already contributes to the cessation of constipation in expectant mothers. Therefore, before prescribing medicines to combat constipation, the gynecologist will advise the following measures:

• Increase the fiber content in the diet through fresh fruits and vegetables, grain products (whole grain bread, wheat bran).
• Perform at least 20-30 minutes two to three times a week. You can try yoga, swimming, or walking.
• Drink more liquid - up to 2 liters per day. It is recommended to drink clean water while limiting salt intake to avoid swelling.
• Take probiotics (found in pharmaceutical preparations and some foods) to normalize the intestinal microflora and improve the digestive tract as a whole.
• Do not delay using the toilet.
• Divide the daily dose of iron supplements, if necessary, into several smaller doses and write them down with plenty of water.

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 the uterine muscles to contract. 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 choosing 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 minerals in the gastrointestinal 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 drugs that do not have a stimulating effect on intestinal motility, are not absorbed into the bloodstream and are not addictive.

Lactulose based

Lactulose-based syrups are the safest laxatives for 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 should not 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 emptying process. 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.

The negative consequences of the use of swelling agents also include 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.

Many pregnant women also resort to folk remedies for 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.

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 in 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 drugs that are very safe for pregnant women. 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 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 only a specialist should prescribe the appropriate treatment.

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, 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, the traditional treatment of constipation during pregnancy is based mainly on the use of products with laxative and carminative properties. Because, despite the huge arsenal of medicinal plants that can 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 pharmacy drugs, then you need to 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 them to 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: Eating a raw apple every day will 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 steeping 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. It is useful to drink kefir for constipation 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 traditional medicine, this product, in combination 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 with the use of 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 worry 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 every day. It is helpful to drink 1-2 glasses 40-60 minutes before each meal.