For many pregnant women, irregular bowel movements could be an everyday norm. This is simply one of the many things that happens as a result of the natural changes that the body undergoes.
Be that as it may, bowel issues are seldom discussed when it comes to pregnancy.
When it comes to constipation, what immediately comes to mind are laxatives. But are they safe for pregnancy? Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look at what constipation is as well as what you can do to ‘restore the flow’ naturally.
We interviewed Dr Sharina Razali, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital to unravel some questions about pregnancy constipation: are laxatives safe to use?
Q1: What constitutes as constipation? Is it a hard stool? Or is it difficulty to pass motion?
Constipation actually means having fewer than three bowel movements in a week, and it’s also associated with stools that are hard to pass.
So they’re both actually constipation symptoms.
If you suffer from constipation, you may find yourself difficult to pass motion, and you may find yourself having to push or to strain a little bit more.
So constipation is quite common. Actually, up to one in four women will experience constipation during their pregnancy.
Every pregnant woman is different, and this includes their bowel movements as well. While some may experience constipation during pregnancy, others may not.
And we commonly see it during the third trimester, but it can also happen throughout all the trimesters in pregnancy.
During the first trimester, you might not be taking enough fluids, and then during the third trimester, that’s when your baby’s heavier, so there’s more pressure on the bowels and making it hard to pass motion.
It’s also common to experience incomplete bowel movements where you may feel some leftover stool during a bathroom trip.
So if this happens, this is a sign that you need to talk to your gynaecologist and obstetrician, because she/he can advise you on certain things that you can do, to help you alleviate these problems.
Q2: Are there any home remedies to help with pregnancy constipation?
There are plenty of things you can do such as drinking plenty of fluids, e.g. water and prune juice, and eating more fruits and vegetables.
Dates are also a good source of fibre and you don’t need to wait for a fasting month to enjoy them.
Constipation in pregnancy can be prevented; but it comes with some lifestyle changes.
If it doesn’t help, you can also include some physical activities in your daily routine. Exercise is recommended in pregnancy.
Being active can help prevent pregnancy constipation. And as I mentioned earlier, the higher fibre diets.
Fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and exercise. All these will help to ease the constipation problem.
Q3: Will laxatives cause an early birth?
Every pregnant woman worries about the side effects when taking medication. Fortunately, there are some laxatives that will not be absorbed by our body.
Meaning to say, they are safe to be taken by pregnant and breastfeeding women.
But if you’re not sure, it’s always safe to check with your OB-GYN to put your mind at ease that you can take the medicine comfortably.
Otherwise, you’d be worried, and you would not be taking it. Then it’s not going to help your problem.
So, there are a few types of laxatives available.
Your OB-GYN might recommend either the bulk forming laxatives such as psyllium husk and polycarbophil, stimulant laxatives such as bisacodyl, or osmotic laxatives such as macrogol 4000 and lactulose. These are basically laxatives with different mechanisms of action.
Macrogol 4000 for instance is a safe and gentle laxative indicated for constipation treatment. It works by hydrating and softening the stool to help regulate the bowel’s rhythm.
As it absorbs water, it makes the faeces moister, helping to soften the stool and regulate the bowel rhythm.
If you’re taking prenatal vitamins, spare at least 2 hours apart from other products to ensure the content of your supplements are properly absorbed.
Q4: When do we seek medical attention for constipation?
If you have any of the following symptoms of constipation during pregnancy, you should see your doctor to seek professional medical advice:
- Pain/discomforts in the abdomen/rectum
- Irregular spotting.
- Hardened stool stuck in the rectum
- Lasting constipated feeling that doesn’t go away
- Bloody stool
- Nausea/vomiting/fever while you are having constipation
- Other worrisome signs
If you are worried about constipation during pregnancy, do talk to your doctor. They can always advise you based on your situation as no two patients are the same.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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