Can I take laxatives when I am constipated during pregnancy?

Pregnant women should avoid taking medicine during pregnancy, no matter what kind of physical condition they have, because most medicines have certain side effects and medicines that pregnant women can take will also affect the fetus. If pregnant women have constipation, they can drink more juice, eat some bananas, and other foods that can help with bowel movements. So can pregnant women take laxatives for constipation?

Constipation has always troubled modern people due to unbalanced diet, excessive stress, and irregular work and rest. However, it is easy to overlook a group of people who may also suffer from constipation, and that is pregnant women. Pregnant women should pay special attention to and prevent constipation. Pregnant women should go to the hospital for regular check-ups. If the fetus is in an abnormal position, it should be corrected in time to avoid compression of the inferior vena cava, which may cause obstruction of blood flow and lead to hemorrhoids, which will seriously affect defecation.

Causes of constipation in pregnant women

In addition to the influence of hormones, there are many other reasons why pregnant women are prone to constipation. Constipation can generally be divided into three types: atonic, spastic, and rectal. Constipation during pregnancy is mostly atonic constipation. After pregnancy, almost all expectant mothers will reduce their physical activity, which is the most common cause of constipation. In addition, a small number of expectant mothers, in the late stages of pregnancy, are always worried that the fetus will fall out when defecating, so they dare not exert force. This is also one of the causes of constipation.

Constipation harms mother and baby

During pregnancy, there are factors such as reduced gastric acid secretion and reduced physical activity. In addition, as the fetus grows larger, the expanded uterus presses on the small intestine, making constipation more likely to occur. In the late stages of pregnancy, constipation will become more and more severe, and pregnant women often go without bowel movements for several days or even 1-2 weeks, causing abdominal pain and bloating. In severe cases, it can lead to intestinal obstruction and premature birth, endangering the safety of mother and baby. For some pregnant women who suffer from constipation, the feces accumulated in the intestines hinder the descent of the fetus during delivery, resulting in prolonged labor or even dystocia.

In daily life, pregnant women need to pay attention to the following aspects:

Add vegetables, fruits and grains

Pregnant women often have difficulty defecating because they eat too fine foods, so they should eat more vegetables, fruits and whole grains rich in fiber, such as celery, green leafy vegetables, radishes, melons, apples, bananas, pears, oats, mixed beans, brown rice, etc. Eat regularly and avoid overeating. Drink plenty of water on a daily basis, and insist on drinking a large glass of warm water every morning. This will help clean and stimulate intestinal peristalsis, making the stool softer and easier to pass.

Regular bowel movements in the morning

Have regular bowel movements, go to the toilet in the morning or after breakfast. Since the colon's propulsion movements are more active after breakfast and it is easier to initiate defecation, the best time to defecate is about an hour after breakfast. Do not ignore the urge to defecate, and do not force yourself to endure the inconvenience. More importantly, you should not squat on the toilet for too long, as this will not only increase abdominal pressure, but also make it difficult for blood circulation to return to the lower limbs. It is best to use a sitting toilet for defecation, and use a no-squatting butt wash basin to clean the perineum and anus after defecation. This is both hygienic and avoids squatting for long periods of time to increase intra-abdominal pressure.

Suitable for exercise

Moderate exercise can strengthen the contraction of abdominal muscles, promote gastrointestinal motility and increase defecation motivation. It should be noted that it is not advisable to use abdominal massage to promote defecation.

Keep your body and mind happy

Arrange work and life reasonably, ensure adequate rest and sleep, and maintain a good mental state and optimistic attitude towards life. Pregnant women should not be upset because of the discomfort caused by vomiting. An irritable mentality can also lead to constipation. They might as well do more things that interest them, such as enjoying music, viewing flowers, reading, etc., and try to avoid adverse mental stimulation.

Use laxatives with caution

Laxatives are mainly used for functional constipation. Generally speaking, pregnant women should avoid taking laxatives, but if they have not had a bowel movement for several days or have difficulty defecating, they can choose a suitable laxative and take it in moderation. Stimulant laxatives such as fruit laxatives strongly irritate the intestinal wall. A slight overdose can cause abdominal pain or even pelvic bleeding, so this type of laxative should be banned. Bulking laxatives contain a lot of fiber, which can absorb water, soften stool, mildly stimulate intestinal peristalsis, and shorten bowel movement time. You can choose them as appropriate. Lubricating laxatives such as liquid paraffin are relatively less irritating and can be used. It is worth noting that in the late stages of pregnancy, pregnant women should absolutely not use laxatives.