Constipation in pregnancy. Approaches to the treatment

Abstract

Constipation is one of the most common problems. About half of pregnant women experience stool retention, which occurs due to maternal physiological changes in pregnancy: the action of progesterone, uterine growth and other causes, can cause complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period and requires treatment. However, this condition is not discussed enough among obstetrician-gynecologists. In the authors’ opinion, the importance of the problem is underestimated. The clinical data provided in the text of the article show that intestinal biocenosis disorder due to chronic colostasis in pregnant women can become a predisposing factor for bacterial vaginosis. In addition, constipation in pregnancy is one of the risk factors that may increase the rate of preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, birth of small-for-date babies and other complications. For these reasons, the problem demands close attention of the medical community. The article provides basic information about the causes, endocrine, metabolic and other prerequisites for constipation, the features of their manifestations during pregnancy, possible complications, modern pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments and lifestyle correction capabilities. The authors provided a list of essential drugs to treat constipation, described indications and contraindications for use of such drugs during pregnancy and listed side effects. Sodium picosulfate may be used in the second and third trimesters, which restores the passage of stools in the intestine in a short time and is not contraindicated in a pregnancy. Consideration has been given to the usage of the drug in the practice of obstetrician-gynecologists.

Keywords

• constipation
• causes
• pregnancy complications
• birth complications
• sodium picosulfate