Is it safe to take stool softeners to treat pregnancy constipation?

Pregnancy constipation can be stubborn and seriously uncomfortable. Stool softeners, such as Colace, moisten the stool and make it easier to pass. The active ingredients in these products aren't absorbed by the body, so they're unlikely to have an adverse effect on a developing baby. Check with your health care provider, however, before taking any medication — including stool softeners and other types of laxatives — to treat pregnancy constipation.


Also, remember that pregnancy constipation can often be prevented with lifestyle changes.You can do as follows:
Drink plenty of fluids. Water is a good choice. Fruit juice — especially prune juice — also can help.
Include physical activity in your daily routine. Daily walks and other aerobic activities can help prevent pregnancy constipation.
Include more fiber in your diet. Choose high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. With your health care provider's OK, consider a fiber supplement, such as Metamucil.
If you take iron supplements, mention the constipation to your health care provider. Although iron is an important nutrient during pregnancy, too much iron can contribute to pregnancy constipation.
If you haven't had a bowel movement in three days, ask your health care provider for a recommendation. If your health care provider approves stool softeners or other types of laxatives, be careful to use them as directed.


Lifestyle advice


Your GP will first advise you about how you can change your diet and lifestyle, which may mean that your constipation passes without the use of medication.
Some ways you can help treat your constipation include:
Increase your daily intake of fibre. You should eat at least 18-30g of fibre a day. High-fibre foods include fruit, vegetables and cereals.
Add some bulking agents, such as wheat bran, to your diet. These will help make your stools softer and easier to pass.
Increase your fluid intake. Drink at least 1.2 litres (six to eight glasses) of fluid a day (see Health A-Z: dehydration).
Get more exercise by going for a daily walk or run.
If your constipation is causing pain or discomfort, you may want to take a painkiller such as paracetamol. Make sure you always follow the dosage instructions carefully. Children under 16 years of age should not take aspirin.
Identify a routine of a place and time of day when you are comfortably able to spend time in the toilet. Respond to your bowel's natural pattern: when you feel the urge, do not delay.
See Preventing constipation for more information about ways to change your diet and lifestyle.
If these diet and lifestyle changes do not help, your GP may prescribe an oral laxative.


Laxatives


Laxatives are a type of medicine that help you pass stools. There are several different types and each one has a different effect on your digestive system.
Bulk-forming laxatives
Your GP will normally start you on a bulk-forming laxative. These laxatives work by helping your stools to retain fluid. This means they are less likely to dry out, which can lead to faecal impaction (see Complications of constipation). Bulk-forming laxatives also make your stools denser and softer, which means they should be easier to pass.
Commonly prescribed bulk-forming laxatives include ispaghula husk, methylcellulose and sterculia. When taking this type of laxative, you must drink plenty of fluids. Also, do not take them before going to bed. It will usually be two to three days before you feel the effects of a bulk-forming laxative.
Osmotic laxatives
If your stools remain hard after you have taken a bulk-forming laxative, your GP may prescribe an osmotic laxative instead. Osmotic laxatives increase the amount of fluid in your bowels. This helps to stimulate your body to pass stools and also softens stools.
Commonly prescribed osmotic laxatives include lactulose and macrogols. As with bulk-forming laxatives, make sure you drink enough fluids. It will usually be two to three days before you feel the effect of the laxative.
Stimulant laxatives
If your stools are soft but you still have difficulty passing them, your GP may prescribe a stimulant laxative. This laxative stimulates the muscles that line your digestive tract, helping them to move stools and waste products along your large intestine to your anus.
The most commonly prescribed stimulant laxatives are senna, bisacodyl and sodium picosulphate. These laxatives are usually only used on a short-term basis, and they will usually start to work within 6 to 12 hours.
According to your individual preference and the speed with which you require relief, your GP may decide to combine different laxatives.


Treating faecal  impaction


Faecal impaction occurs when stools become hard and dry and collect in your rectum. This obstructs the rectum, making it more difficult for stools to pass along.
If you have faecal impaction, you will initially be treated with a high dose of the osmotic laxative macrogol. After a few days of using this laxative, you may also have to start taking a stimulant laxative.
If you do not respond to these laxatives, you may need one of the medications described below.
Suppository: this type of medicine is inserted into your anus. The suppository gradually dissolves at body temperature and is then absorbed into your bloodstream. Bisacodyl and glycerol are two medicines that can be given in suppository form.
Mini enema: this is when a medicine in fluid form is injected through your anus and into your large bowel. Docusate and sodium citrate can be given in this way.