Question to a doctor
“Constipation is likely to occur during pregnancy. What are the points to be considered?”

Question to a doctor “Constipation is likely to occur during pregnancy. What are the points to be considered?”

Drugs for constipation during pregnancy. Please consult your doctor so that you do not regret it.

The basic treatment for constipation in pregnant women is improvement of lifestyle as with that in non-pregnant women. Improving eating habits by adequate dietary fiber and fluid intake has positive effects not only on constipation but also on overall health. Pregnant women should eat a well-balanced diet. Due to various factors associated with pregnancy, pregnant women tend to be constipated. There is no problem with bowel movements occurring only once every 2 to 3 days if the patient can pass stools smoothly. Wait until the urgency to defecate comes naturally.
Drugs prescribed by an obstetrician-gynecologist are acceptable. OTC drugs can also be used after consultation with a physician. However, since some ingredients may induce labor, it is recommended to use drugs prescribed only by an obstetrician-gynecologist. It is also recommended to check with your doctor about drugs you have been taking since before becoming pregnant. This will give you assurance. Most of the patient information leaflets for drugs describe that pregnant women should consult a physician about the use of the drugs, which may be a cause for concern. However, most topical drugs, such as ointments and suppositories, may be used without any problem. However, the use of an inappropriate drug during pregnancy can result in regrettable circumstances. If there is any concern about drug use during pregnancy, pregnant women should consult a physician without making a judgment for themselves.

Director, Marigold Clinic Dr. Tokiko Yamaguchi

Dr. Tokiko Yamaguchi
Read the article by Dr. Tokiko Yamaguchi

Do not worry about or self-diagnose anal problems based only on information on the Internet. Most importantly, consult a physician.

Pregnant women search the Internet for information about anal problems during pregnancy and about childbirth; however, it must be remembered that not all of the information is reliable. For pregnant women who are concerned about anal problems and collecting information using the Internet, it is more important to consult a physician. Pregnant women who want to use a laxative for constipation should first consult their obstetrician-gynecologists. However, women who are planning to become pregnant, tell the physician that they wish to become pregnant at the first visit to the hospital. The taking of any drug by a woman in early pregnancy should be avoided to alleviate any concern that the woman may have later about the effect of the drug as her pregnancy progresses. At our hospital, patients are asked if they wish to become pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the questionnaire on their medical history. Based on the information in the questionnaire, we can prescribe drugs appropriately according to patients’ circumstances. People who are to use an OTC drug for constipation because they cannot visit a hospital due to unavoidable circumstances should select a drug suitable to their conditions after consultation with a pharmacist.

Kawahori Hospital Dr. Haruka Takeda

Dr. Haruka Takeda
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This article is supervised by:
Dr. Tokiko Yamaguchi
Dr. Haruka Takeda
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