Laxatives during pregnancy

Constipation is the most common intestinal pathology during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Half of pregnant women complain of constipation. Every third woman is worried about hemorrhoids. Such a significant spread of this pathology in pregnant women is due to physiological changes in the digestive system and a change in its regulation in the gestational period.

Constipation during pregnancy is a real threat to the health of the mother and unborn child. It causes disturbances in the biocenosis of the colon, which, in turn, cause a violation of the biocenosis of the cervical canal of the vagina, which can cause ascending infection of the fetus and the development of various complications. The course of pregnancy against the background of constipation is often complicated by the threat of interruption, untimely discharge of amniotic fluid, endometritis.

During pregnancy, especially in the second half, the intestines are compressed by the enlarged uterus, and its motor-evacuation function is disturbed.

In addition, it has been found that during pregnancy, the intestine becomes tolerant to common physiological stimuli. This is biologically justified, since any excessive increase in intestinal motility could also excite the contractile activity of the uterus, causing a threat of abortion.

Thus, the hypotonic state of the intestine during pregnancy is nothing more than a protective reaction, but its consequence is constipation, which can be considered as a pathology. This not only creates some discomfort, but can also exacerbate pregnancy-related problems such as dyspepsia, high blood pressure, and heartburn. Taking iron supplements can also contribute to problems.

For the treatment of constipation in pregnant women, a special diet is not required, only food containing a large amount of fiber - cellulose is recommended. In the intestines, it is not digested, but only swells, and increases the total mass of chyme, so pregnant women are advised to include fresh and culinary processed vegetables and fruits in their diet. Pregnant women suffering from constipation should not drink strong tea, black coffee, cocoa, chocolate, white bread, especially high-grade, flour and mucous soups, semolina, blueberries, lingonberries, and also abuse dry food.

In the case of the use of laxatives during pregnancy, the highest safety standards must be observed to ensure the normal development of the fetus. The possibility of using traditional laxatives during pregnancy is very limited.

1. 1. Irritant laxatives (castor oil, Karlovy Vary salt, sena preparations, bisacodyl, etc.) can cause reflex contractions. With prolonged use, degenerative changes in the enteric nervous system develop. It is assumed that laxatives of these groups also have a mutagenic effect and have genotoxicity.

1. 1. Means that increase the volume of intestinal contents (dietary fibers, hydrophilic colloids) require the intake of a large amount of fluid, which disrupts the water balance and leads to the development of edema.

1. Softening laxatives (vaseline and other mineral oils) are deposited in the intestinal wall, liver, spleen, which leads to the development of inflammation and malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

The use of Lactusan during pregnancy is the optimal and safe solution to the problem. The active principle of Lactusan is lactulose. The clinical efficacy of the drug is due to its effect on the metabolism of intestinal microflora. Lactusan is broken down by the colonic microflora to short-chain fatty acids, which leads to an increase in osmotic pressure, a decrease in pH and an increase in the biomass of beneficial saccharolytic bacteria. As a result, peristalsis increases and the stool normalizes.

Lactulose is not absorbed into the blood and does not adversely affect the development of the fetus. Mutagenic and teratogenic effects, even with long-term use of lactulose, have not been identified.

An increase in the biomass of saccharolytic bacteria under the action of lactulose is accompanied by an active utilization of ammonia and amino acid nitrogen, the formation of ammonia by proteolytic bacteria, the time of its presence in the intestine and absorption are reduced. This is of great practical importance in terms of detoxification and a positive effect on liver function, which carries a double burden during pregnancy.

The dosage should be selected individually. The initial dose is 0.5-1 tablespoon per day on an empty stomach or before meals, one time. With inefficiency - you can increase the dosage by 1 tablespoon per day. If signs of relief appear, the dosage should be reduced by 1 tablespoon and when normal stools resume, the intake is canceled.