Subject:   Constipation

 

A frequent complaint during pregnancy resulting from hormonal changes (slowing down gut transit time), and pressure of enlarging uterus on intestines.

 

1.       Change dietary habits - encourage the intake of food high in roughage (whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and cereals) and natural laxative foods (prunes, dates, figs, bran).

 

2.       Adequate fluid intake of up to 8 glasses each day.

 

3.       Adequate daily activity and/or exercise.

 

4.       Attempt bowel movement at same time each day.

 

5.       Medical alternatives to be considered include:

 

 

6.       Avoid oil preparations, they inhibit the absorption of fat soluble vitamins from

the gastrointestinal system and laxatives containing phenothaline.

 

7.       Enemas should also be avoided but in severe cases not responding to other laxatives, a Fleets enema may be administered at the Health Department.

 

 

Prepared in conjunction with the

Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Duke University Medical Center

 

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The Clinical Care Guidelines Development Committee of the Perinatal Improvement Board of Duke University Health System has developed a series of multi-disciplinary protocols to offer guidance to health care providers who are caring for pregnant women with high risk conditions.

 

These protocols are designed to assist health care providers in the management of a variety of problems that occur in pregnancy and the time of delivery. They should not be interpreted as standard of care, but instead represent only general guidelines for the care of pregnant women with high risk conditions.  We recognize that services offered by individual providers depend not only on their training, experience and institutional resources, but on the medical facts and circumstances of the specific care situation.

The protocols remain the intellectual property of the Duke University Health System.  They cannot be reproduced in whole or part without the expressed permission of the Health System.

 

These protocols are reviewed by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the Department of Pediatrics Division of Neonatology and the Department of Anesthesiology Division of Women’s Anesthesia.  Please contact Andra H. James (andra.james@duke.edu), Chair, Clinical Care Guidelines Development Committee of the Perinatal Improvement Board with ideas for additional protocols.