Along with the several challenges that come along with pregnancy, constipation is also a common problem. As the uterus starts growing in size to make space for the baby to grow properly, certain organs have to shift from their place. Some amount of pressure is also applied on the small intestine and the large intestine. This can cause some issues with bowel movement and this is why pregnant women often suffer from constipation. The other reasons for constipation in women is the iron supplements, hemorrhoids, or any kind of injury during childbirth. Constipation may occur at any time during pregnancy but it’s chances increase at a rapid rate during the last trimester. The increase in certain hormone level and the prenatal vitamins that contains iron is also responsible for constipation during pregnancy.
Can You Take Miralax When Pregnant?
In Order to relieve pregnant women from this problem doctors give them an OTC medicine which is very effective in relieving constipation. It targets the water in our body and helps to hydrate, ease and soften the motion. Thus, it unblocks the system of our body naturally in about two to three days. Thus, it is also known as osmotic laxative. General stimulant laxative pills forcefully stimulates the nerves in the colon which forces the intestine to contract whereas osmotic laxative like Miralax work naturally without harming the body much.
But, the things that work well with our body normally may not work the same during pregnancy due to the several changes that the body undergoes. So, here we have a write-up to let you know about the possible side effects and benefits of taking Miralax during pregnancy.
Miralax and pregnancy
Only a small amount of miralax is absorbed by our body, so it is considered rather safe drug but only for a small period. It contains polyethylene glycol 3350 which is an active ingredient. As mentioned by a source from American family physicians miralax is often considered as the first choice for any case of constipation during pregnancy, but it’s said that not been much study done on this drug. So, some doctors recommend drugs that are much researched and all their aspects have been discovered. So, stimulant laxatives such as Dulcolax and Fletcher’s Laxative are considered to be a replacement for miralax.
Though miralax has an edge over stimulant laxatives but it has some noticeable side effects if it is taken for a longer period of time. When taken as per doctor’s prescription and at regular doses, it works well with the body and eases our problem but anything cannot be completely safe. So, here are some side effects of miralax:
- Stomach discomfort
- Excessive number of bowel movement
- Persistent diarrhoea
- Cramping
- Blood in stool
- Rectal bleeding
- Bloating
- Gas formation in the stomach
- Nausea
It’s important to know that doctors give us this medication because they the side effects occur very rarely and due to these side effects the recommendable benefits of this medicine cannot be ignored. So, it becomes our responsibility to inform the doctor in case you encounter any such side effects. The diarrhoea and frequent bowel movements can cause dehydration in the body, that is, decrease in the level of fluid in the body. Dehydration can turn out to be fatal for both the mother and the baby. So, pay attention on taking regular doses and follow the instructions given by doctors in order to avoid any such situation.
Allergic reaction due to this drug is very rare, but in case you suffer from rash, itching or swelling in the throat, face or tongue or dizziness and trouble in breathing, it’s advised to seek medical attention immediately.
Alternatives treatment to miralax
Since, miralax is essentially useful but it has so many side effects, so it is a concern for many mothers. Well, let’s not forget that medicines are not the only way to deal with any problem. Our lifestyle stands as the major reason for many problems that we face, so the best treatment for these problems that arise due to lifestyle issues is changing our lifestyle. Lifestyle changes can not reduce the risk of constipation but also help to reduce its effect. Some of the mandatory changes that we can adopt in our daily life are:
- Drink lots of water and increase the intake of fluid in your diet.
- Eat highly fibrous food such as fruits, vegetables and whole grain products.
- Certain exercises are recommended for pregnant women during pregnancy. Make sure to do those exercises daily. But, it’s advisable to consult your doctor before increasing the body actibi level so as to avoid any further complications
- Iron is also a reason for constipation, so it’s better to reduce the iron intake to relieve constipation. Since, iron is important for the body during pregnancy, so before taking any step you must talk to your doctor and ask him if it is possible to reduce the dose of iron or take it in small doses.
Well, as per many researchers there are many OTC Laxative drugs that can replace miralax. They are as follows:
- Docusate which is a stool softener
- Senna or bisacodyl which are good stimulant laxatives.
- Dietary supplements can also be given in case of constipation. Benefiber and Fiber Choice are some good dietary fibers.
- Citrucel, FiberCon, and Metamucil are great bulk forming agents. They are also highly effective.
Well when it comes to constipation during breastfeeding, miralax is considered to be a safe drug. When taken in at normal doses, the medicine does not pass into the breast milk. So, miralax doesn’t lead to any side effect on the baby when taken during pregnancy.
As pregnancy is a very crucial stage in every woman’s life, she should take every step with care. Anything that is suggested on internet can be considered very useful, but it’s better to consult the doctor before applying any of these remedies. You must be open enough to the doctor to clear your queries.
Thus, miralax is an extremely safe drug but it can cause some side effects in some cases. So, stay careful and happy parenting.
