Senna during pregnancy is not known to be harmful, neither in breastfeeding mothers. However, as a common rule with all medicines during pregnancy, you should seek medical advice from your doctor before taking this medicine particularly if you are in your first trimester. Other safe remedies for constipation during pregnancy may be more suitable for you.
Senokot tablets, and syrup all contain the active ingredient senna, which is a stimulant laxative. Senna works similarly as all the laxatives by stimulating the nerve endings in the walls of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. This will contract the muscles in the intestinal wall and push faeces with increased force and starts peristalsis to evacuate the bowels completely out of the rectum, relieving constipation.
Senna contains natural bacteria known sennosides which does not start working until it reaches this part of the gut. As it reaches the gut, senna increases its activity and can cause stomach cramps. Senokot requires 8 to 12 hours after you take them to show its action. The recommended dose of senna should be taken at night to produce relief from constipation the following morning.
Senna in pregnant women is to be avoided if you have severe abdominal pain together with nausea and vomiting. Consult your doctor before to start any laxatives. You should also drink plenty of fluids with this medicine, as this will also help the constipation. Also, even after taking medication your bowel movement does not regularize after three days, you should consult your doctor.
Senna laxatives are safe during pregnancy yet it should not be used on a continuous basis for longer than seven days without consulting your doctor. Prolonged and excessive use of laxatives can lead to chronic diarrhoea, low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalaemia) and dehydration. This can even cause kidney problems and gut can become reliant on the laxative.
People who have recently had bowel surgery should avoid it and also it should not be used in cases of intestinal obstruction, colostomy, rectal bleeding although senna during pregnancy can be recommended as a safe laxative.