Pregnancy can be an overwhelming experience for many women, with a variety of physical and emotional changes that come with the territory. One common symptom that can be difficult to manage is constipation, which can become a serious issue for some if left untreated. Although a high-fiber diet, adequate hydration, and exercise can help, many women find that they need an extra boost in the form of a stool softener. For those expecting mothers who are looking for the best stool softener to use while pregnant, this blog post is for you. Here, we’ll discuss the different types of stool softeners available, the pros and cons of each, and which one may be best for you and your pregnancy.
How to help relieve pregnancy constipation
Keep going if you’re having constipation during pregnancy; it usually goes away once your baby is born. Here are some products that could help you feel better in the interim.
Drinking enough water is one of the best things you can do for your body while pregnant (aside from taking your prenatal vitamin, of course). Drinking fluids keeps the intestines’ muscles lubricated and promotes efficient food transit, according to Dr Ross.
Having a water bottle by your side throughout the day can help ensure that you consume enough water (10 8-ounce glasses per day), which you need in greater amounts during pregnancy for both you and your developing child.
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Another effective method to treat all pregnancy side effects, including constipation, is exercise. Regular exercise speeds up the movement of food through the intestines and increases heart rate and breathing, which helps the intestinal muscles contract and move stool through the intestines more quickly, according to Dr. Ross. Additionally, physical and emotional strength and vigor are increased with exercise. ”.
During pregnancy, its extra important to wear a good pair of exercise shoes that are supportive on your expanding feet, ideally with a midsole cushion and comfortable heel.
Bed Bath & Beyond$10 for 30 capsules
Stool softeners can aid in the easier passage of a bowel movement, which is why they can be useful during pregnancy and into the postpartum period even though they might not be the most attractive purchase you’ve ever made.
Dr. Ross encourages most of her patients to take 50mg to 100mg of Colace if struggling with constipation. Before purchasing any stool softeners, however, check in with your provider.
Size: 30 100 mg capsules
“Bulk-forming laxatives, such as fiber supplements, are the gentlest on your body and safe to use during pregnancy,” says Dr. Ross. “Fiber supplements work similar to dietary fiber, bringing water into the intestines to soften the stool and allow it to pass more easily.” Like any supplement, it’s best to reach out to your health care provider first to make sure that it is the best solution for you.
Size: 36.8 ounces
Many of my pregnant patients experience constipation despite eating more fiber-rich foods and drinking more fluids. Existe-t-il des traitements sécuritaires que je pourrais leur recommander?.
Many of my pregnant patients still experience constipation despite increasing their dietary fiber and fluid intake. Are there any safe treatments I can recommend to them?.
It has been estimated that approximately 11% to 38% of pregnant women experience constipation,1 which is generally described as infrequent bowel movements or difficult evacuation 2 Due to physiologic and anatomical changes in the gastrointestinal tract, pregnancy increases a woman’s risk of developing constipation. For instance, increased bowel transit time is caused by reduced levels of the hormone motilin and rising progesterone levels during pregnancy. Additionally, the intestines absorb more water, which causes the stool to dry out. Constipation can also be exacerbated by decreased maternal activity and increased vitamin supplementation (such as iron and calcium). 3 As the pregnancy progresses, an expanding uterus may cause the feces to move more slowly. 4 Although fecal impaction and other serious complications from constipation are uncommon, they are possible. It is significant to note that constipation negatively impacts patients’ daily lives and is the second-most frequent gastrointestinal complaint in pregnancy, behind only nausea. 2,4.
Answer Although increasing fiber intake, drinking more fluids, and exercising are the first-line treatments for constipation, they are occasionally ineffective. As a result, laxatives like lubricant laxatives, stool softeners, osmotic laxatives, and stimulant laxatives may be taken into consideration. Laxatives come in a variety of forms, and only a few of them have been tested for safety during pregnancy. They are therefore not anticipated to be linked to a higher risk of congenital anomalies. To prevent electrolyte imbalances or dehydration in pregnant women, it is advised that osmotic and stimulant laxatives be used only briefly or infrequently.
Bulk-forming substances are thought to be safe for long-term use during pregnancy because they are not absorbed4 or linked to an increased risk of malformations7. However, they may cause unpleasant side effects like gas, bloating, and cramping and are not always effective. 4.
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Constipation is undoubtedly among the long list of unpleasant pregnancy symptoms. It’s not just a sign of early pregnancy; for some women, it lasts for the full nine months and into the postpartum period.
Hormones, specifically progesterone, are typically to blame for pregnancy’s annoying side effects. Felice Gersh, M.D. explains that progesterone reduces muscle contraction in the uterus as well as other organs like the gut and colon to prevent premature labor. D. , an OB/GYN in Irvine, California. You have a recipe for constipation when you combine the fact that your growing baby is taking up more and more space in your uterus with any dietary modifications brought on by pregnancy cravings or aversions.
According to Sherry Ross, M.D., some unlucky women may experience constipation as soon as they start taking their prenatal vitamins and it may last the entire pregnancy. D. , an OB/GYN at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, and a specialist in women’s health