What Can I Take for Constipation While Pregnant in the First Trimester?
Learn how to support your body during a time of change
Medically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmD
Pregnancy often causes constipation due to physical factors and hormonal changes. There are different ways to treat constipation in pregnancy, such as by increasing fiber intake, exercising, and taking over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications.
This article discusses the main treatments for constipation while pregnant in your first trimester.
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Pregnant female in fatigues drinking water on a couch and holding a bookNutrition Considerations
The recommended treatment to help relieve constipation symptoms during pregnancy is:
Increase your fiber intake.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Get regular exercise.
Treat constipation with nutrition and movement as follows:
Fiber intake: High-fiber foods are rich in whole grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Eating at least 28 grams (g) of fiber per day is recommended. However, since everyone's body is different, consult your healthcare provider before changing your diet. Pregnant people who consume more fruits and vegetables and regularly exercise may reduce the risk of constipation.
Drinking plenty of fluids: Drink 2 liters (around 8 to 12 cups) of water daily if you do not have conditions restricting water intact (e.g., kidney disease). This will enhance the positive effects of dietary fiber, improving symptoms of constipation while pregnant.
Exercise: Pregnant people should aim for at least 150 minutes (e.g., 30 minutes daily, five days per week) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (ex., brisk walking).
Probiotics: Consuming 300 g (about 1 cup) of yogurt with probiotics daily may be a safe and effective way to lessen constipation symptoms during pregnancy.
OTC medicines: Because most pregnant people need to take additional iron through prenatal vitamins or iron supplements, they can become constipated. Ask your healthcare provider about ways to avoid constipation while taking iron. Increasing your fluid and fiber intake, as well as exercising, should help prevent it, however. Taking an OTC stool softener daily before bed may do the trick if fluid intake, fiber intake, and exercise fail.
Which Medications Are for Constipation in the First Trimester of Pregnancy?
If nutrition and movement don't relieve your constipation, your healthcare provider may suggest taking laxatives as a secondary option. However, there's little research on the safety of using laxatives during pregnancy, so it's essential to consult your provider before trying them.
Some constipation treatments while pregnant may include the following:
Bulk-forming agents: They increase the bulk of your stools by helping them retain fluid, making them easier to pass. Some examples of bulk-forming agents include psyllium and bran.
Stool softeners: These increase the amount of water your stool absorbs in your gut, which softens the stool, making it easier to pass. A common stool softener found over the counter is Colase (docusate).
Osmotic laxatives: Osmotic laxatives raise the osmotic pressure (the balance of fluid inside and outside) in your gut, leading to increased water absorption, bowel distension, muscle contractions, and, eventually, bowel movement. Examples of osmotic laxatives are magnesium sulfate or citrate, lactulose, sorbitol, and polyethylene glycol.
Stimulant laxatives: These medications reduce water absorption in the large intestine and stimulate the colon muscles to promote bowel movement. Examples of this class of medicine include bisacodyl and senna.
Side Effects
Although all drugs cause side effects, OTC drugs used to treat constipation in pregnancy have few, if any, side effects. Some people may experience side effects like:
Bloating
Cramping
Speak to your healthcare provider if any of these side effects become bothersome or if you have any concerns at all.
How Effective Are the Different Treatments?
Although these OTC treatments are known to be effective, they may not work for everyone. For example, bulk-forming agents are safe for long-term use during pregnancy. However, they may not always effectively treat constipation for everyone during pregnancy. Hence, it is recommended that you speak to your healthcare provider to determine which medicine is right for you.
How Long Do the Treatments Take to Work?
Different drugs may take varying lengths of time to work in different people. Some people may experience immediate relief, while relief may take longer in others.
Senna usually produces bowel movements within six to 12 hours, while psyllium usually produces a bowel movement within 12 to 72 hours. Docusate also typically takes 12 to 72 hours to work after taking it.
MiraLax and magnesium citrate work almost immediately, depending on the quantity taken. Generally, magnesium citrate works within 30 minutes to six hours. MiraLax takes one to three days to work.
Symptoms of Constipation During Pregnancy
Constipation is commonly experienced during the first and second trimesters but can also happen at other times.
Stay in constant communication with your healthcare provider while pregnant. Let them know if you have any symptoms of constipation during your pregnancy.
Symptoms of constipation may include but are not limited to:
Lumpy, hard, or dry stools
Feeling that not all stool has passed
Having less than three bowel movements in a week
Stools that are hard or painful to pass
Causes of Constipation During Pregnancy
Constipation is common during pregnancy, with a prevalence rate of 11% to 38%.
There are various causes of constipation while pregnant. Some common causes of constipation during pregnancy include but are not limited to:
Hormonal changes
Using some necessary supplements (e.g., iron)
Lack of exercise
Low-fiber diet
Low fluid intake
Pressure on the pregnant person's intestines by growing fetus
Your chances of experiencing constipation during pregnancy also increase if you have had the following anorectal diseases before pregnancy:
Perianal eczema
Diagnosis of Constipation
Your healthcare provider may order routine blood, stool, and urine tests to evaluate constipation. Based on your symptoms, the provider may also perform a physical examination to diagnose your constipation while pregnant.
Tests used to diagnose constipation, including sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, may be used in the general population but rarely in pregnant people. The diagnostic tests include the following:
A sigmoidoscopy, or sigmoid colon test, looks at the colon's lower portion after bowel preparation. This part of your colon is located near your rectum.
Colonoscopy involves a healthcare provider using a device known as a colonoscope to examine the inside of the colon or rectum. The device is a finger-wide flexible tube with a video camera and a light on one end.
Prevention of Constipation
Prevention is better than cure. Do your best to prevent constipation from happening altogether while you're pregnant. Here are some bathroom tips:
Drink hot or warm fluid at breakfast as it may stimulate a bowel movement.
Use the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge to go. Do not wait.
Sit on the toilet with your feet apart and elevated on a stool, leaning forward and keeping your back straight.
Try not to strain when using the bathroom.
However, if these methods fail, do not leave the constipation untreated or ignore it. You may be able to use some OTC medicines to relieve it.
Complications of Constipation During Pregnancy
Constipation during pregnancy may not seem like a big deal, but it may cause a few complications, especially if untreated. Some complications are:
Bowel damage
Bleeding
Summary
Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy, especially during the first and second trimesters. However, it can be avoided or treated with simple measures. Actions you can take include the following:
Increase fiber and fluid intake
Exercise regularly
Take probiotics
Add yogurt to your diet
Consult a healthcare provider who can guide you on the best over-the-counter treatment for constipation during your first trimester.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I eliminate constipation in my first trimester?
You can prevent constipation in your first trimester by exercising and increasing fluid and fiber intake. Pregnant people should aim for at least 150 minutes (e.g., 30 minutes daily, five days per week) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (ex., brisk walking).
Is constipation a problem during the first trimester?
Constipation while pregnant during your first trimester may be undesirable and unpleasant. However, it does not affect your baby.
Can you take MiraLax during the first trimester?
Yes, MiraLax is considered safe during the first trimester. Nonetheless, speak to your healthcare provider before starting any medicine while pregnant.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
