Can pregnant women take laxatives? What laxatives can be taken in early and late pregnancy? Laxative during pregnancy. Causes of constipation in pregnant women

19.03.2024 -

During pregnancy, due to increased levels of progesterone, intake of iron-containing medications, and pressure of the uterus on the rectum and large intestine, the risk of developing constipation increases. This condition is undesirable for pregnant women. Laxatives during pregnancy are used only as prescribed by a doctor. Taking medications that eliminate constipation at home should be done with extreme caution.

Nuances of early choice

Laxatives for pregnant women should not have a teratogenic effect. The main rule for safe treatment of constipation is only the local action 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 drugs in the early stages of pregnancy:

Having a strong effect that stimulates intestinal motility (sodium picosulfate, Bisacodyl suppositories).
Herbs containing anthraglycosides (senna, buckthorn, rhubarb, zoster). Even laxative tea is prohibited for a pregnant woman.
Salt laxatives due to the risk of developing water-electrolyte imbalance and impaired muscle tone on this basis (Magnesium sulfate, Carlsbad salt).

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

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

Psyllium seed husk

A safe laxative that has long been used to treat constipation, it is of natural origin and therefore considered relatively safe. The husk works like fiber - it accumulates liquid, making it heavier and softening feces, as well as facilitating the act of defecation by improving their sliding in the intestinal lumen.

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

Mucofalk is a preparation based on the husk of Indian plantain seeds. Take 1 packet 2 times a day. The contents of the package are poured into a glass of water at room temperature, left for 5-10 minutes and taken orally. The drug, ready for administration, has the form of gelatin granules with an orange flavor. An important point - to treat constipation, taking the product should be accompanied by drinking a large volume of clean water - up to 2.5 liters per day. The price starts from 560 rubles per package containing 30 packets.
Phyto-mucil is a mild laxative on a natural basis. It is a dietary supplement made from flea plantain seeds and homemade plum fruits. Reception regimen: 1 sachet 1 to 4 times per day, after mixing the contents of the sachet 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 the product.

Macrogol-based products

Macrogol is a locally acting polymer that can actively accumulate water. Taking this into account, osmotic laxatives based on macrogol can be used during pregnancy as prescribed by the attending physician, when the benefit to the mother outweighs 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 the risk of developing a lack of electrolytes, and is also able to normalize the evacuation function of the intestines. Possible side effects are flatulence, a feeling of intestinal fullness, individual sensitivity reactions. During use, you should drink up to 2 liters of liquid per day.

Transipeg is a preparation of macrogol 3500. Take 1 packet per day after first dissolving the contents in half a glass of water. It is preferable to drink the product in the morning, half an hour after breakfast. Costs about 600 rubles.
Forlax – macrogol 400. Take 1 packet per day. Dissolve the contents of the package in 200 ml of water. It is advisable to drink a glass of clean water or other liquid within 15 minutes after taking it. The instructions allow taking the product for up to 3 months, after agreement with a specialist. The price of 10 packages is 150-180 rubles.

Single use products

When it is not possible to consult with a leading doctor about what kind of laxative can be used for pregnant women, but constipation has already occurred 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 fast and effective bowel movements. Glycerol is a locally active substance that is approved for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and for children from birth. The use of glycerin preparations at home is rarely accompanied by side effects if the specified dosage is observed.

Glycerin suppositories - use 1 suppository per day, as needed. It is preferable to use the candle in the morning, half an hour after breakfast, but options are possible. You should not exceed the dose or abuse the use of suppositories due to the risk of developing addiction and reducing natural peristalsis. Price – about 60 rubles.
Adulax - contains liquid glycerol. It is an approved remedy during pregnancy, for the same reasons as glycerin suppositories. The microenemas are administered once a day when constipation occurs. The effect of the drug appears within 10-15 minutes after rectal administration. Costs about 300 rubles.

Treatment of constipation in late pregnancy

The occurrence of constipation in the second trimester of pregnancy, as well as during the transition to the third, is provoked by increasing pressure of the uterus on the large intestine and rectum. The use of osmotic laxatives in later 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, pregnant women in the 3rd and 2nd trimesters are characterized by a tendency to swelling, and it is not possible to provide the necessary drinking regimen for osmotic drugs.

The solution for a pregnant woman may be to take prebiotic medications, in acute cases - the use of emergency laxatives, and sometimes even intestinal irritants.

Products based on disaccharides

During pregnancy, you can use a laxative based on synthetic sugar. It is not broken down by enzymes and enters the intestines in its original form. The disaccharide formula helps attract fluid, which helps soften stool. The products of enzymatic processing of sugar molecules are an excellent environment for the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, and an increase in acidity eliminates pathogenic microorganisms, and with them the processes of fermentation and decay.

The most common example of a laxative that pregnant women can drink is Duphalac syrup. The list of its analogues is wide. However, the dosages of lactulose are the same everywhere, and accordingly, the regimen for 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 stages of pregnancy.

Duphalac - taken 20-45 ml in the morning on an empty stomach or at night, 2 hours after dinner. Once a stable result is achieved, 20 ml is used as maintenance therapy. The effect appears on the 2-3rd day of administration. 200 ml of the drug costs from 300 rubles.
Normaze syrup 200 ml – from 280 rubles.
Portalak – 390 rubles.
A preparation based on lacthiol – Exportal. Much less likely to cause bloating than Duphalac. 2 packets of the drug are dissolved in a glass of water and taken once a day. Costs about 430 rubles.

Chemical intestinal irritants

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

Folk secrets for eliminating constipation

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

Beets are the best remedy for constipation, which has no contraindications and only has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the entire 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 intestinal flora if you eat fresh kefir regularly in the mornings or evenings.
Vegetable oil. You can drink vegetable oil to relieve constipation, but not castor oil, but 1 tbsp. l. Flaxseed oil in the morning on an empty stomach will ensure normal stool, and will also cover the body’s need for vitamins A, E and healthy fatty acids.
Fresh vegetables and fruits. A natural laxative for pregnant women, it can be an ordinary fresh fruit. For example, an apple or a kiwi fruit. Apples are rich in iron and fiber, and kiwis are rich in organic acids that have a mild choleretic effect.
Time-tested laxatives for pregnant women are dried fruits from which tea is made. 6 small prunes are poured with a glass of boiling water overnight. The tea is drunk in the morning, and the steamed fruits are eaten as a snack during the day.

Laxative products during pregnancy will help not only empty the intestines, but also enrich the expectant mother’s diet with substances necessary for the growth and development of the baby. During pregnancy, you can take chemical laxatives after consulting your doctor. Food products that are folk remedies weaken mildly, and therefore can be used independently by expectant mothers.

Often one of the causes of concern for a woman during pregnancy is intestinal dysfunction and regular constipation. The situation is complicated by the fact that not all laxative medications are acceptable during pregnancy. How to help the body work properly?

The child inside the mother is rapidly developing and growing. Along with it, the uterus also enlarges, which affects all the organs that surround it. So, under the pressure of the uterus, the intestines are compressed and pushed apart, which affects its work.

In addition, during pregnancy, a woman's production of the hormone progesterone increases. Since it has a relaxing effect on the contractility of not only the uterus, but also the intestines, “food waste” does not move well through the intestines, resulting in constipation.

Worries and worries can also affect the functioning of internal organs. Sometimes constipation appears because a woman is simply nervous.

Often during pregnancy, doctors recommend taking additional calcium and iron. Of course, not in vain - the benefits of these minerals cannot be underestimated. But iron and calcium supplements have one common side effect - they cause constipation.

There may be indirect causes of constipation, which lie in the lifestyle of the expectant mother: little exercise, dry snacks, few vegetables and fruits in the diet.

Pros and cons of taking laxatives

Constipation is not just a nuisance. Feces accumulate in the intestines, and this also has consequences:

Intoxication of the mother, the passage of toxins through the blood to the fetus.
Increased pressure on the uterus can cause uterine hypertonicity.
Blood vessels are compressed, which can lead to hemorrhoids (see treatment of hemorrhoids in pregnant women).

Therefore, it is necessary to help the intestines get rid of unnecessary accumulations. This does not mean that pregnant women can use laxatives uncontrollably. Firstly, some of them are contraindicated during pregnancy, as they can provoke uterine contractions. Secondly, in most cases these drugs should not be taken regularly: some are addictive, others contribute to dehydration and loss of salts necessary for the body.

What laxatives can you take during pregnancy?

There is no single algorithm for getting rid of constipation. Often, drugs with a laxative effect are addictive, and the body stops responding to it properly. Therefore, you have to alternate different medications, and only a specialist can calculate the appropriate regimen for taking them. In different situations, the doctor may recommend suppositories, suspension, or enema.

Preparations based on lactulose

Drugs in this group are considered the safest and most effective laxatives during pregnancy. They pass through the digestive tract without interfering with the body's chemical processes. Only in the intestines do they begin their activity: they are broken down by bacteria, which leads to the formation of acids. These, in turn, dilute the contents of the intestines, causing them to slightly increase in volume, and the intestines contract to the required extent, removing swollen feces.

Based lactulose disaccharide such drugs as “Duphalak”, “Portalak”, “Normaze”, “Dinolak”, “Romphalak”, “Goodlak”, “Lactulose Poslabin” have been developed.

All these drugs have a common method of action, they are acceptable for regular use and are allowed during pregnancy.

However, these mild laxatives have some disadvantages during pregnancy:

You will have to wait about a day for the laxative effect;
Lactulose promotes the formation of gases, which leads to bloating, so you should first take half the dosage indicated in the instructions, and the next day, if necessary and if you feel well, take the full dose of the drug.

In this regard, the drug “Dinolak” has a certain advantage: it contains simethicone. This active substance helps reduce gas formation; it is not absorbed and leaves the body without losing its original appearance.

Additionally, lactulose medications may not be safe for those who suffer from high blood sugar or lactose intolerance. Diabetics need to consult a doctor, and those who are lactose intolerant should be guided by their own well-being.

Laxative suppositories for pregnant women

Suppositories containing oil or Vaseline are considered safe and effective. They have a local effect, however, they are not recommended in the first trimester. Otherwise, there are almost no side effects, and the result of taking it comes quite quickly - within half an hour.

Another quick remedy for constipation. This method is only valid from the second trimester until the 36th week. However, if the previous pregnancy was terminated, it is better to abandon this option for treating constipation.

If there is a threat of miscarriage or pain in the lower abdomen or bleeding, you should also avoid enemas.

If no other options help, then an enema is an acceptable option with the permission of the doctor. The volume of the pear should not exceed half a liter, and the temperature of the liquid should be 3-5 degrees above body temperature. It is advisable to add Vaseline. It is better to do an enema in the morning, no more than once a week.

Microenemas (for example, Microlax) are available for sale. They can be safely used by all pregnant women.

Laxatives contraindicated during pregnancy

There are medications that pregnant women should remove from their medicine cabinet. These include some types of laxatives.

Irritating intestinal walls

This type of drugs represents the largest part of laxatives. The first reason why pregnant women should not take them is that excessive intestinal irritation creates a risk of miscarriage. In addition, due to constant tension, intestinal receptors are depleted and their tone decreases. The drug is addictive, the previous dose no longer works, and bowel movements are accompanied by pain. If a woman used these products before pregnancy, then when carrying a child she needs to give them up.

Sometimes a doctor, under his own supervision, may prescribe Regulax, but it is better to make sure that this is the only and truly necessary way to get rid of constipation.

It would be a big mistake to assume that herbs belonging to this group are safer. This is not the case, so it is better to remove senna leaves, rhubarb root, castor oil and other drugs of this kind from the options under consideration. They can harm the pregnant woman herself and lead to pregnancy failure or the development of deformities in the fetus.

Swelling laxatives

These drugs absorb water from nearby tissues, swell and stretch the intestinal walls. This pressure increases the risk of miscarriage.

In addition, taking such a drug implies a large intake of fluids and their retention. Given the tendency to edema in pregnant women and possible disruptions in the urinary system, this is not a suitable option.

Saline solutions

Preparations containing magnesium, Carlsbad salt, sodium and potassium. These minerals can also cause unwanted uterine contractions. In addition, taking these drugs can disrupt the water-salt balance and lead to dehydration.

What else can be done for constipation in pregnant women?

It is important to remember that pills usually do not solve the problem of constipation itself. Therefore, you may need to change something in your eating habits.

You need to include dried fruits and compotes made from them in your diet. Prunes, like dried apricots, are known for their laxative properties. It is better to replace chocolate with them, which should be avoided altogether. It will be useful to eat cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables in large quantities.

You need to drink enough water. At the same time, it is important to monitor your health: in case of kidney and heart diseases that lead to edema, you cannot increase the volume of fluid consumed. Juicy vegetables will come to the rescue.

There are several simple recipes that will help the intestines cope with its work. For example, immediately after waking up, drink a glass of water with a slice of lemon and a spoonful of honey. This simple action will “wake up” the intestines and, if necessary, help cleanse them.

A mixture of dried apricots, prunes and raisins has a good laxative effect. Dried fruits should be crushed in equal parts of 50 grams and mixed with a tablespoon of honey. It is recommended to take 2 teaspoons of this tasty medicine before bed with a glass of water.

The knee-elbow position helps reduce the pressure of the uterus on the intestines, which has a beneficial effect on its activity.

Constipation during pregnancy is common. Irritating and saline laxatives are prohibited during this period, but lactulose and laxative suppositories can help. Proper nutrition, taking folk remedies and moderate regular physical activity will help improve your overall well-being.

Carrying a child can be a magical time for a woman, but for some, this period is more remembered for difficulties and disruptions in the body's functioning. Fluid retention, weight gain, back pain, chest pain, swollen ankles, extreme fatigue and digestive problems often accompany pregnancy. Some problems can only be tolerated, but many, such as constipation, are completely treatable.

Bowel movements should not occur less frequently than every other day, otherwise feces will accumulate. Laxatives for pregnant women have special requirements - they must not only be effective, but also safe for the body of the mother and the unborn child.

About half of women complain of constipation when carrying a child. There are several reasons for this:

An increase in the level of the hormone progesterone, which is designed to relax the muscles of the uterus to avoid premature birth. However, it has the same effect on the gastrointestinal tract, since the smooth fibers of the intestinal muscles are similar to those of the uterus. The result is slower motor skills.
The pressure of the growing uterus on the rectum, especially in a sitting position, leads to bowel dysfunction. The longer the term, the worse the situation.
Another culprit of constipation is an increase in iron content in the body. The daily requirement for iron in pregnant and lactating women is 27 mg, which is twice the normal amount. For this reason, it is recommended to take additional iron supplements during pregnancy and after childbirth. But high iron levels in the body can cause constipation.
Increased anxiety, complete lack of exercise and a low fiber diet.

Can pregnant women take laxatives?

Any drug is subject to research and clinical trials, including on humans. Pregnant women do not participate in them for ethical reasons, so strong or prescription drugs are not recommended for pregnant women due to the unpredictability of the consequences.

The safest laxatives during pregnancy are those that are poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. These are, in particular, preparations containing dietary fiber and lactulose.

Is it possible to take a laxative during pregnancy or should you give it up in favor of diet and exercise? First of all, you need to pay attention to lifestyle and nutrition. Laxative products for pregnant women can help you get rid of the unpleasant and annoying problem of constipation. But in cases where diet does not help, you cannot do without pharmaceuticals.

Contrary to popular belief, the main danger of constipation during pregnancy is not intoxication with waste products, but compression and tension of internal organs. The result of this is hemorrhoids and premature birth.

Benefits and harms

The drugs allow you to quickly (within 2 days maximum) solve the problem of constipation, but if used uncontrolled, they can cause harm. Even a natural herbal or fiber-based laxative for pregnant women is not always harmless.

Possible consequences of taking laxatives:

Some drugs work by stimulating the activity of the intestines, but here the same situation can arise as with progesterone, only in the opposite direction - by acting on the intestines, the drugs cause contractions of the uterus. The result is a miscarriage.
Changes in water-salt balance, vitamin deficiency and dehydration with long-term use due to slower absorption of water and substances from the intestines or uncontrolled diarrhea.
Dysbacteriosis, as some drugs disrupt the intestinal microflora.
Flatulence, bloating, colic after using bulk or osmotic emollients, especially with prolonged constipation.
Impaired absorption of vitamin supplements and medications, which must be taken into account when taking them.

What medications can you take?

What laxative can pregnant women use? There are several main types of drugs. Each group of laxatives has varying levels of effectiveness and safety when used during pregnancy.

Fecal softeners

Laxatives increase the amount of water in the stool and make it easier to pass, allowing it to slide. The required effect is achieved in 3-4 hours. This group includes glycerin suppositories; for pregnant women they are valuable for their safety, exclusively local action and the ability to avoid straining during bowel movements, which is problematic when carrying a child. Vaseline and almond oil for oral administration are also emollients. Potentially, these drugs can stimulate the uterus, so you should carefully monitor your body's reaction when taking them.

Bulk laxatives (cellulose, dietary fiber)

They can be used for a long time, including during pregnancy, since they are not absorbed in the digestive system. They contain hydrophilic fibers that swell with water, they soften feces. The effect is visible after a day, but generally such drugs act after 2-3 days and require simultaneous intake of liquid (1-1.5 l). Methycellulose is one of these products.

Osmotic laxatives

They work by increasing water in the stool, they soften it and stimulate the intestines. Osmotic laxatives for pregnant women are safe for short-term use; long-term use can lead to electrolyte imbalance.

This group of drugs includes:

Fortrans, Endofalk, Forlax. These macrogol-based products cause stool to become saturated with water and restore the sensitivity of nerve endings to intestinal contents. They are not absorbed, do not irritate tissues, and do not affect microflora.
Duphalac, Lactusan, Normaze, Normolakt, Inulin. Prebiotics interact with natural microflora, in addition to softening stool, they help the development of beneficial bacterial cultures in the intestines.
Salt products: magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate, magnesium hydroxide. They are not absorbed, they attract water into the intestines from surrounding tissues, thereby softening the stool. This group of osmotic laxatives is not recommended during pregnancy as it may cause uterine contractions.

According to reviews, the fastest-acting laxatives during pregnancy are emollients, and the safest for use at home are bulk laxatives. Osmotic drugs are prescribed by a gynecologist only if other drugs do not help.

Laxatives prohibited during pregnancy

You should not choose a laxative without consulting a doctor, because many drugs are strictly prohibited to take during pregnancy.

Stimulant laxatives

Within 6-12 hours, the nerve endings of the intestine are stimulated, after which its peristalsis quickly copes with the excretion of feces. They are not recommended for use during pregnancy because they stimulate uterine spasms and are partially absorbed in the digestive system. According to many scientists, they are too aggressive and have potential teratogenic properties, and therefore should not be used not only during pregnancy, but also in other cases.

TO such means include:

herbal preparations based on buckthorn bark, senna leaves, senade, rhubarb root;
medicines Dulcolax, Phenolphthalein, Bisacodyl, Guttalax, Sodium Picosulfate, Laxabene and others.

Lubricating laxatives

They are not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but may block the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. The most famous representative of this type of laxative is castor oil.

How to replace laxatives

Very often, adjustments to diet and lifestyle are enough to combat constipation during pregnancy, so the gynecologist, before prescribing laxatives, recommends trying the following methods:

A high fiber diet including fresh fruits, vegetables and grains (whole grain bread, wheat bran).
Increasing the amount of fluid you drink to 2 liters per day. It is desirable that it be clean water. It is also necessary to limit salt intake to avoid swelling.
Exercise 2-3 times a week for 20-30 minutes. This could be walking, swimming or yoga.
If you need to take iron supplements, divide your daily intake into smaller doses to take throughout the day with water.
Probiotics (in foods or pharmaceuticals) help normalize intestinal microflora and improve gastrointestinal function.
Regularly visiting the toilet at the first urge.

Dishes with a laxative effect can be prepared from prunes, dried apricots, and beets.

Constipation during pregnancy is a normal physiological phenomenon that can be treated. Changes in diet and lifestyle are recommended first, but if there is no progress, you should consult a gynecologist who recommends safe medications.

What kind of laxative you can use during pregnancy is a difficult question, since some medications can cause uterine contractions or reduce the absorption of nutrients. Stool softeners and bulk laxatives are considered the safest. If they do not help, take osmotic laxatives, but only for a short course. Stimulants and lubricants are not recommended during pregnancy.

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Difficulty defecating is a frequent companion to pregnancy. It not only causes discomfort to the expectant mother, but can also negatively affect her health and the state of her life. What are the causes of this disorder of the digestive system, can you take laxatives during pregnancy, and is it really possible to get rid of constipation without the help of medications?

Laxative during pregnancy. Constipation (constipation) - symptoms during pregnancy

Reducing the usual frequency of bowel movements.
Feces are dry, hard, and their quantity is reduced.
Lack of complete emptying after stool eruption.
Stool less than 3 times a week.

Therefore, if bowel movements do not occur daily, but at least 3 times a week, and the stool is formed, but not too hard, then there is no need to use a laxative during pregnancy.

Laxative during pregnancy. Causes of constipation in pregnant women

The hormone progesterone, which suppresses uterine contractions to avoid spontaneous abortion, also affects the contractility of intestinal smooth muscles.
During pregnancy, more fluid is absorbed from the large intestine, making stool harder.
Early toxicosis. Due to nausea and vomiting, women's appetite, amount of food consumed and, consequently, feces are disrupted. Vomiting contributes to dehydration of the body, which increases the density of stool.
A sedentary lifestyle, especially if there is a threat of miscarriage.
Lack of potassium and calcium.
Taking iron supplements and antacids.
Hemorrhoids, anal fissures.
Poor nutrition, poor drinking.
In late pregnancy, the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the intestines, which also makes it difficult to pass stool.

Laxative during pregnancy. Constipation: harm to the health of the pregnant woman and fetus

Pregnant women can only push hard during childbirth. In other cases, pushing can provoke uterine tone; if there is a threat of miscarriage, premature rupture of amniotic fluid is possible.
Hard feces injure the intestinal mucosa and blood vessels, which can lead to health problems.
With prolonged stagnation of feces, intestinal distension is possible, which aggravates the tendency to constipation.

Laxative during pregnancy. Treatment of constipation during pregnancy

A laxative for constipation during pregnancy is a last resort; initially it is necessary to adjust your lifestyle and diet, eliminating as much as possible factors favorable to the occurrence of constipation.

If you are not prone to edema or have cardiovascular problems, it is important to consume plenty of fluids. Until week 20, the total volume of fluid entering the body should be about 2-2.5 liters. From 20 to 30 weeks - 1.5 liters. After 30 weeks - 1.3 liters. In the hot season, you can drink 150-200 ml more.
In the absence of contraindications, sports are encouraged. Swimming, water aerobics, and yoga for pregnant women will not only help the expectant mother keep fit, but will also have a positive impact on her health.
Food should be taken little by little, but often, without drinking water or other drinks.
First courses should be eaten warm, not hot.
The diet must contain fiber, contained in bran, rye bread, fruits and vegetables, and dried fruits.

Strengthening products: fast food, smoked, fried, sushi, fatty meats, fish and poultry, baked goods, white bread, coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, fermented milk products, more than 24 hours have passed since the production date, rice and semolina, pasta, persimmons , pomegranate, pear, blueberry, quince, black currant, black grapes, applesauce, eggplant, mashed potatoes without additives, dried fruit compote.
Laxative products during pregnancy: prunes, dried apricots, figs, beets, pineapple juice, kiwi, plums, cherries, apricots, melons, zucchini, fresh, maximum one-day kefir and other fermented milk products, whole grain bread, vegetable oils (flaxseed oil is especially useful), buckwheat, oatmeal, sunflower seeds.
With caution: brown bread, canned food, white and Brussels sprouts, legumes, spinach, corn, cucumbers, light grapes, peaches, apples. All of these foods can cause bloating.

Is it possible to take laxatives during pregnancy?

Expectant mothers can use laxatives, but the choice of laxatives is very limited, and prior consultation with a doctor is required. Allowed laxatives during pregnancy: glycerin suppositories, microenemas, preparations based on lactulose or macrogol.

The composition of glycerin suppositories is absolutely harmless to the mother and fetus, but laxative suppositories can be used during pregnancy no earlier than the second trimester and if there is no threat of miscarriage. The reason lies in the principle of action: glycerin not only softens stool, but also has a relaxing effect on the intestines and uterus.
Glycerin suppositories are not used for diseases of the rectum.

The most preferred laxative during early pregnancy is lactulose-based. This is the famous “Duphalak”, and “Prelax”, and “Normolakt”. The principle of operation is to soften and increase the volume of feces, mildly stimulate intestinal peristalsis. These drugs are not addictive even when taken for a very long time, are safe for the woman and the unborn baby and do not interfere with the absorption of vitamins.
Side effects: in the first days of use, bloating, nausea, vomiting are possible; in case of overdose, diarrhea.

"Forlax" and "Transipeg" are produced on the basis of macrogol. These drugs are not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and do not have an irritating effect. The principle of operation is to retain fluid, which dilutes the stool. Products containing macrogol begin to work a day or two after administration.
Animal studies have shown no negative effects on developing life in the womb. There are contraindications for use.
Side effects are rare. Possible allergic reaction, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea.

A frequently used laxative during late pregnancy or just before childbirth is the Microlax microenema. Active ingredients: sodium citrate, which has a peptizing effect, and sodium lauryl sulfate, which thins stool.
The drug is safe and works within 15 minutes.
Side effects: a slight burning sensation in the rectum may occur.

Strictly prohibited laxatives during pregnancy: products based on senna, buckthorn, rhubarb, aloe, magnesium solution, sodium, potassium, sodium picosulfate, bisacodyl, Carlsbad salt, castor oil, vaseline oil.

Conclusion

Constipation is an unpleasant but completely solvable problem that affects about half of expectant mothers. When constipation occurs, it is important to review your diet and lifestyle and consume plenty of fluids. Laxatives are prescribed by a doctor as a last resort.

It is extremely important to know which laxative you can use during pregnancy. A common, seemingly safe laxative can harm a woman’s health and the life growing in her womb.