{"id":13540,"date":"2025-03-07T04:25:59","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T21:25:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=13540"},"modified":"2025-03-07T04:25:59","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T21:25:59","slug":"pregnancy-constipation-are-stool-softeners-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=13540","title":{"rendered":"Pregnancy constipation: Are stool softeners safe?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"main-content\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"main\">\n<!--googleon: all--><\/p>\n<p><h2>Is it safe to take stool softeners to treat pregnancy constipation?<\/h2>\n<p>\tAnswer From Myra Wick, M.D., Ph.D.<\/p>\n<p>Stool softeners are generally considered safe during pregnancy.<\/p>\n<p>Pregnancy constipation, defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a week, can be uncomfortable. Constipation is common in pregnancy. Stool softeners, such as docusate sodium (Colace) and docusate calcium (Surfak), moisten the stool and make it easier to pass. These products are unlikely to harm a developing baby because their active ingredient is only minimally absorbed by the body.<\/p>\n<p>Your healthcare professional might also recommend a laxative. Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium (Metamucil, Konsyl, others) and polycarbophil (FiberCon, Equalactin, others) are typically considered safe to use during pregnancy because they aren&#8217;t absorbed by the body. Other laxatives that are considered safe to use during pregnancy include saline laxatives, such as magnesium hydroxide (Phillips&#8217; Milk of Magnesia, Dulcolax, others) or magnesium citrate; stimulants, such as bisacodyl (Ducodyl); and lactulose (Cholac, Constilac, others).<\/p>\n<p>Many laxatives and stool softeners are available without a prescription. However, check with a member of your healthcare team before taking any medication \u2014 including stool softeners and other types of laxatives \u2014 to treat pregnancy constipation.<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that pregnancy constipation can often be prevented with lifestyle changes. For example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Drink plenty of fluids.<\/strong> Water is a good choice. Prune juice also can help.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Include physical activity in your daily routine.<\/strong> Being active can help prevent pregnancy constipation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Include more fiber in your diet.<\/strong> Choose high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. With your healthcare professional&#8217;s OK, consider a fiber supplement, such as Metamucil or Citrucel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you take iron supplements, mention the constipation to your healthcare team. Although iron is an important nutrient during pregnancy, too much iron can contribute to pregnancy constipation. You might have to take a stool softener if you are taking an iron supplement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"bioHighlight\">\n<div>\n<p>With <\/p>\n<p class=\"name\">\n\tMyra Wick, M.D., Ph.D.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!--googleoff: all--><\/p>\n<div class=\"contentbox no-border\">\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"http:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/~\/media\/kcms\/ux\/css\/newslettereh.css\"\/>\n<article>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<p>\n                \u00a0\n            <\/p>\n<div class=\"myc-subscription-form\" data-sending-url=\"https:\/\/s74881809.t.eloqua.com\/e\/f2\" data-name-form=\"MKT.PES.HC.EmailSignup2\" data-last-step=\"true\">\n<div class=\"myc-step-container\">\n<div class=\"myc-subscription-step-wrapper\" id=\"first-step\" aria-describedby=\"formTitle\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<h2 class=\"eh-title-main\" id=\"formTitle\">From Mayo Clinic to your inbox<br \/>\n                        <\/h2>\n<p class=\"myc-subscription-intro\">Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. <a href=\"https:\/\/links.e.response.mayoclinic.org\/EmailPreview-GeneralHealth\">Click here for an email preview.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>                        <button type=\"button\" class=\"acces-show-hide\" data-show=\"\" data-hide=\"\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"myc-info\">Learn more about Mayo Clinic\u2019s use of data.<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"myc-info\">\n<p>We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, we may combine your email and website data with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our <a href=\"https:\/\/mcforms.mayo.edu\/mc5200-mc5299\/mc5256-01.pdf\">Notice of Privacy Practices<\/a>. You may opt out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\n                            <button type=\"button\" class=\"myc-primaryBtn\" id=\"newsletterTrigger\">Subscribe!<\/button>\n                        <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"myc-subscription-step-wrapper\" id=\"second-step\" hidden=\"\">\n<div class=\"myc-subscription-form-ending\" id=\"happypath\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-labelledby=\"happyending\" hidden=\"\">\n<h3 id=\"happyending\">Thank you for subscribing!<\/h3>\n<p>You&#8217;ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"myc-subscription-form-ending\" id=\"sadpath\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-labelledby=\"sadending\" hidden=\"\">\n<h3 id=\"sadending\">Sorry something went wrong with your subscription<\/h3>\n<p>Please, try again in a couple of minutes<\/p>\n<p>\n                                <button type=\"button\" class=\"myc-wordBtn myc-retry\">Retry<\/button>\n                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--googleon: all--><\/p>\n<p><!--googleoff: snippet--><\/p>\n<ul class=\"page content\">\n<li class=\"prev\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/healthy-lifestyle\/pregnancy-week-by-week\/expert-answers\/pregnancy-acne\/faq-20058045\">Pregnancy acne<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/healthy-lifestyle\/pregnancy-week-by-week\/expert-answers\/vaccines-during-pregnancy\/faq-20057799\">Vaccines during pregnancy<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<menu class=\"social\"\/>\n<p>    <span class=\"moddate\">March 06, 2025<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"expandable references\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"acces-show-hide\" data-show=\"Show references\" data-hide=\"Hide references\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"dvReferenceListPC\">Show references<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"dvReferenceListPC\">\n<ol>\n<li>Constipation. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases. https:\/\/www.niddk.nih.gov\/health-information\/digestive-diseases\/constipation\/all-content. Accessed April 1, 2022.<\/li>\n<li>FAQs: Problems of the digestive system. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https:\/\/www.acog.org\/womens-health\/faqs\/problems-of-the-digestive-system. Accessed April 1, 2022.<\/li>\n<li>Briggs GG, et al. Docusate sodium. In: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk. 12th ed. Wolters Kluwer Lippincott Williams &amp; Wilkins. 2022. https:\/\/ovidsp.ovid.com. Accessed April 1, 2022.<\/li>\n<li>AskMayoExpert. Constipation: Treatment in pregnancy. Mayo Clinic; 2021.<\/li>\n<li>Iron. Natural Medicines. https:\/\/naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed April 1, 2022.<\/li>\n<li>Lockwood CJ, et al. Prenatal care: Patient education, health promotion, and safety of commonly used drugs. https:\/\/www.uptodate.com\/contents\/search. Accessed April 13, 2022.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/healthy-lifestyle\/pregnancy-week-by-week\/basics\/healthy-pregnancy\/hlv-20049471\" class=\"blocklink\">See more Expert Answers<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--googleoff: all--><\/p>\n<div id=\"productsServicesList\" class=\"contentbox links\">\n<h2>Products and Services<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/store.mayoclinic.com\/health\/nursing-feeding.html?utm_source=dc&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_campaign=nursing\">Available Solutions for Prenatal Nutrition from Mayo Clinic Store<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/order.store.mayoclinic.com\/flex\/mmv\/PREG3GD\/?altkey=PRGORG&amp;utm_source=MC-DotOrg-PS&amp;utm_medium=Link&amp;utm_campaign=Pregnancy-Book&amp;utm_content=PREG\">A Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--googleon: all--><\/p>\n<p><!--googleoff: all--><\/p>\n<p><!--googleon: all--><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n                    .&#13;\n                <\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/healthy-lifestyle\/pregnancy-week-by-week\/expert-answers\/pregnancy-constipation\/faq-20058550\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is it safe to take stool softeners to treat pregnancy constipation? Answer From Myra Wick, M.D., Ph.D. Stool softeners are generally considered safe during pregnancy. Pregnancy constipation, defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a week, can be uncomfortable. Constipation is common in pregnancy. Stool softeners, such as docusate sodium (Colace) and docusate calcium &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13540","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13540","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13540"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13540\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13540"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13540"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13540"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}