Thoughts on natural laxatives

RachaelMason

I'm only six weeks along, but I'm experiencing some pretty uncomfortable constipation. I have a senna tea that I sometimes drank pre-pregnancy for the same issue (though it's much worse now than anything I've experienced before). Any thoughts on whether this is safe to use now? It's the Smooth Move organic variety.

Thanks!

carrotcake06

I prefer non-stimulant laxatives like milk of magnesia or miralax over anything w senna. It may be "natural" but it's rough stuff. It causes your colon to spasm which helps you poop.

I was addicted to stimulant laxatives, senna was the active ingredient, for years in my 20s due to chronic constipation related to digestive issues I have. After a not so great colonoscopy, my gastro weaned me off the senna and onto milk of magnesia. Yes, tea is the same. I've used the tea, too.

Stool softeners didn't used to do anything for me, but have you tried them? I'd go to milk of magnesia (liquid) after that.

basil2

I used prune juice daily (started somewhere in the middle of the pregnancy) - it seemed to help quite a bit.

RachaelMason

Thanks, Ladies.

Unfortunately, prunes and prune juice make me feel nauseous at the best of times, but I could try the milk of magnesia thing. I tried a stool softener, but it didn't seem to do much. 

xtina78

I agree with PP that senna, although natural, is a stimulant laxative and makes me nervous. For me colace twice a day and lots of hydration has worked. The colace kind of took a while to regulate things but now it's working well. When things were really bad my OB had me take some milk of magnesia.

prayingformiracles

I also have a history of laxative abuse and have had tummy troubles most of my life.  Prior to pregnancy, I was using miralax daily to stay regular...Then I got pregnant.  The first 8 weeks were tough and I swore I had hemorrhoids. The doctor ok'd me to take a stool softener every other day if needed, and I did use one- but was too scared I might hurt the babies.

Then- something happened. I had to up my calories and am eating foods I never ate before and am "almost" regular.  I do take fiber tummies daily & try to eat high fiber foods. I drink LOTS of water. - I did notice that I got more regular when the doctor told me to start taking extra vitamins (because of quads). I take a calcium/magnesium/zinc, an extra folic acid, prenatal, and an extra omega3.  

Hoping you get more regular soon. It can be VERY painful and uncomfortable. Best of luck!