I'm 7months pregnant, and though this pregnancy I've been dealing with constipation. I've taking all the medicine the doc says that I can take. I havn't made a bowel movement in 3 days. So tonight I got fed up with everything and took an ex-lax will it harm me are my unborn child. Please again only serious answers.
2006-09-13 15:22:56 · 24 answers · asked by Kizzez 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Oh my god! People need to chill out!! You all are going to give this poor woman a heart attack!
That being said, the ex-lax won't harm the baby directly. It may cause enough stimulation to cause the contractions to start. And as you know, cramping and contractions this early in pregnancy isn't good. Over the counter laxatives are avoided in pregnancy for that reason. Gentler ones, like Colace or Metamusil are the ones generally used.
I understand your fustration. I've been there twice and I know how uncomfortable it is. The best thing you could have done was to notify your doctor that the meds weren't working. He/she could have given you appropriate advice on how to get your bowels moving.
To keep them going, drink plenty of water, eat a diet high in fiber and walk. Walking keeps your muscles down there toned and helps keeps the rear in check. You could also try drinking something warm first thing in the morning, like tea or warm milk. The warmth usually gives the bowels a boost to do what they gotta do.
2006-09-13 16:24:24 · answer #1 · answered by my_lil_buttercups 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it will not harm your baby... but if it is not "cramp free" you may get some really bad cramping.... I went through this too with all of my pregnancies.... but the last one was the worse... so I took a laxative and man did I regret it!!! I was in so much pain! But I finaly got to have a BM so in the long run I felt better. But, you should let your doc know that you took one... I told mine and they told me it was ok since I had tryed everything else. Good luck and hope you don't experience what I did!
2006-09-13 15:27:41 · answer #2 · answered by M~Lyna 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you are ok for now, but I probably wouldn't do it again. I know how fed up one can get with this. I've taken stool softeners before and they helped a little, but my diet was what helped me the most. I eat a lot of fruit and drink A LOT of liquid, I think the liquid thing helps me the most with the constipation. Isn't pregnancy wonderful (my arms and legs are breaking out, I'm nauseated, constipated, and just feeling so unsexy, but it's all worth it.)
2006-09-13 16:00:04 · answer #3 · answered by Serena 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A high fiber product like Metamucil in addition to drinking more water (not sodas), eating more green veggies with your meals and getting more exercise will be better and safer than taking laxatives.
Taking any medicine NOT approved by your doctor can cause harm to your baby so leave that stuff alone!
2006-09-13 15:36:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't take any medicine that your doctor doesn't ok. There is a reason they have restrictions. The main ingredient in exlax can be habit forming. And with babies it doesn't take much to hurt them. There are many natural ways to help constipation, and if those don't work than a doctor needs to be called before taking any medicine that isn't "allowed"
2006-09-13 15:39:53 · answer #5 · answered by monroe1172002 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure about harming the baby. But I dealt with the same thing when I was pregnant. I had to take a stool softner. Check with you doctor and find out for sure. Try to drink as much water as you can. I know that might suck but it could help out. Good luck. I hope everything goes good for you and baby.
2006-09-13 15:27:14 · answer #6 · answered by BLONDIE 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not freak out like it sounds like some people are trying to make you. Just relax and get in touch with a doctor. tell them what you took and such and go from there. If it was one time, I don't see a cause for major concern, but I would definitely consider talking to a doctor first before taking anything like that again, just to be safe. congrats and good luck.
2006-09-13 15:43:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you should be okay. But, try natural remedies like eating foods with more fiber.
Oranges with the skin, baked potatoes, prunes and drink lots of water.
Good Luck. I am sure things will be okay.
Below is a website with information about foods with fiber.
2006-09-13 15:39:57 · answer #8 · answered by amoreflowers 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's still normal to not have a bowel movement for three days.
Try some prunes, that always helped me if i was constipated.
2006-09-13 15:27:25 · answer #9 · answered by melashell 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Use During Pregnancy and Lactation
Due to insufficient toxicological investigation, this herb should not be used during pregnancy or lactation.
The website where I found this statement is below.....
2006-09-13 15:36:34 · answer #10 · answered by KatheeVonE 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋