If you have already tried all natural remedies for constipation and still not getting results, then with an expert opinion from your Gynecologist/Obstetrician about some safe medication for constipation during pregnancy, you can treat your problem.
Some safe OTC constipation in pregnancy medicine to alleviate constipation include Polycarbophil( in Fiber-Lax); Psyllium( in Metamucil); and Methylcellulose ( found in Citrucel). You can also try stool softeners such as Milk of Magnesia or Colace. It is obviously better to take such medications otherwise stubborn constipation generally ends with haemorrhoids at some point in your pregnancy. You can also use some trusted over the counter haemorrhoid creams such as Tucks and Preparation H to treat haemorrhoids.
Prenatal vitamins are also safe to be taken OTC during pregnancy. Even then you should ask your health care provider about the risks and benefits involved in taking vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements during pregnancy. Sometimes even herbal preparations and supplements have brought up some harmful effects during pregnancy.
Still it is always better to stay away from stimulant laxatives. They might work in the short run, but they in repeated usage are harmful. Ask your practitioner before taking any constipation medication or remedy.
It is always better to use Alternative medicine which will be safe. Depending upon your faith in these sciences you can choose from seeing an expert in fields of Acupuncture: releasing blocked energy; Aromatherapy: Essential oil Massage helps to relieve chronic constipation. Regular belly massage by an expert masseur in a clockwise direction following the path of your large intestine may be of relief; Exercise: Regular exercise, Yoga and daily squats relieve constipation to a major extent; Homeopathy: which takes into account Constitutional treatment. You may be recommended Nux vomica 6x TDS for a week. You should consult your homeopath if symptoms fail to improve, Shiatsu: release blocked energy.
While some medications are considered safe to take during pregnancy but some turns out to be total disaster for you and your unborn baby. Therefore you should not experiment or try the medications just on some reference given by other than your doctor. The first trimester is very crucial for the development for your baby so, any medicine which you were taking before conceiving or any new medication to be introduced during this time should be thoroughly discussed with your healthcare provider to avoid any future complications or harmful effects.
Other laxatives which are although well known and prescribed during pregnancy should be discussed and only to be prescribed by your healthcare provider. These are:
• Citramag; Fleet phospho-soda; Klean-prep; Picolax (sodium picosulfate, magnesium citrate) — These are famous bowel cleansing solutions.
• Celevac (methylcellulose); Fybogel (ispaghula) ; Isogel (ispaghula) ;Konsyl (ispaghula); Normacol (sterculia); Normacol plus (sterculia, frangula); Regulan (ispaghula)— These are Bulk forming laxatives.
• Dioctyl (docusate sodium); Docusol (docusate sodium) ; DulcoEase (docusate sodium); Liquid paraffin oral emulsion BP; Norgalax micro-enema (docusate sodium)— These are Faecal softeners.
• Duphalac (lactulose); Lactugal (lactulose); Magnesium hydroxide mixture, BP; Micolette micro-enema; Micralax micro-enema; Movicol; Movicol-half; Movicol paediatric plain; Regulose (lactulose); Relaxit micro-enema—These are Osmotic laxatives.
• Relistor (methylnaltrexone)— known as Peripheral opioid-receptor antagonists.
• Capsuvac (dantron, docusate sodium); Co-danthramer; Co-danthrusate; Dulcolax liquid (sodium picosulfate); Dulcolax perles (sodium picosulfate); Dulcolax suppositories (bisacodyl); Dulcolax suppositories for children (bisacodyl); Dulcolax tablets (bisacodyl); Ex-lax (senna); Manevac (ispaghula, senna); Normax (dantron, docusate sodium); Senokot (senna)— These are Stimulant laxatives.
Many pregnant women must have tried alternating drinking cold fluids or eating ice chips, then drinking warm fluids, like decaffeinated tea. This alternating effect is known to stimulate and tone the bowel, and also helps to pass gas. Another boom technology for pregnant women on bed rest is to use Incentive spirometer which will be essential to keep your bowels moving and side by side keep your lungs clear.
Nursing seems to be a natural treatment for constipation. It is natural stimulation to move the bowels regularly. Enema is an effective way to empty the colon but not so safe medication For Constipation during pregnancy especially for women who have had caesarean deliveries, or episiotomies.