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What milk of magnesia pregnancy uses are safe? If that sounds like a familiar question to you, then continue reading to get our insightful guide that not only explores how safe using milk of magnesia is, but also explores extra cautionary measures that will help you get on the right path.
Is Milk of Magnesia Safe during Pregnancy?
Getting sick when pregnant is a worrisome experience but the fear of taking a medication to only end up harming the unborn little baby in your womb is even more scary which makes it not surprising to see so many women asking “is milk of safe during pregnancy?”
Well, milk of magnesia is generally safe for use during pregnancy. According to the WebMD website, you should only use laxatives sparingly – and that includes milk of magnesia – as continuous and excessive use may promote sodium retention leading to edema. It might also make you dependent on them to move your bowels.
Of course using milk of magnesia for pregnancy problems relief once in a while is not a problem, but with time, the bowels may lose their ability to function properly on their own and become reliant on MoM for their function.
As safe as milk of magnesia might be, it is however a good idea to talk to your doctor first before taking it if you are either pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor will determine if there is risk to your child and recommend the right milk of magnesia dosage.
Milk of Magnesia during Pregnancy
The American Pregnancy association reports that as much as half of all pregnant mothers and would-be moms suffer from constipation at one time or another.
Surges in progesterone hormone is the most common cause of constipation as it slows down the smooth muscle cells and consequently interferes your bowel movements. It could also be the result of increasingly bigger uterus which pushes the intestines as it grows. Other likely factors for constipation are reduced physical activity, taking iron tablets, and stress.
According to Alane Park, MD, co-author of “The Mommy Docs’ Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Birth” using milk of magnesia during pregnancy can help to loosen things up and so can stool softeners.
She however urges matching your milk of magnesia pregnancy relief efforts with an increased uptake of generous amounts fiber rich foods such as bran cereals, fruits and raw vegetables, and drinking lots of fluids.
According to ISIS OB/GYN & Midwife Services, you can as well take milk of magnesia milk of magnesia during pregnancy to relieve heartburn and other hyperacidity related problems.
It is nevertheless advisable to talk to your doctor if pregnant before starting to use milk of magnesia for constipation or heartburn treatment.
I agree we have said more than once that milk of magnesia is generally safe for use by pregnant mothers but your doctor will give you the go ahead especially if you are on a prescription of other medications or supplements which may have interactions with this medication or whose effectiveness can be reduced by taking MoM.
Keep in mind also that milk of magnesia usage is only recommended for short term use regardless of whether you are pregnant or not. Too much use can increase your risk of dehydration as well as uterine contractions as noted in an article published in the Nursing Journal issue of July/August 2007.
In addition to taking milk of magnesia during pregnancy as needed, it may also help to take lots of water and fluids and increase your dietary intake of fiber. Indeed Elisa Zied, MS, RD, CDN, the author of “Feed your Family Right” points out that pregnant mothers should already be taking lots of fiber rich foods.
Zeid says that a higher intake of cereal fiber may help to prevent glucose intolerance which often causes gestational diabetes. Thus she recommends taking 25-30gms of fiber every day during pregnancy.
Can You Take Milk of Magnesia for Constipation During Pregnancy?
One of our readers recently wrote to us wanting to know if it was really advisable for her to take milk of magnesia for constipation while pregnant. Well, as we have already mentioned, most doctors agree that milk of magnesia is generally safe to use but as with any medication it has.
Remember however that taking milk of magnesia is just one part of the equation. You can benefit from increasing your dietary intake of fiber by incorporating and adding such foods as bran cereals, fruits (e.g. dried prunes and apricots), and vegetables (especially raw ones).
Increasing your level of water and fluid intake also helps. Purpose to drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water every day. Apple, white grape and pear juices are also touted to work wonders for patients suffering from constipation.
ISIS OB/GYN & Midwife Services also gives the green light to use stool softeners the likes of Colace as well as fiber products such as Fibercon, Metamucil, Konsyl, and Citrucel during pregnancy.
One nurse I came across in one of the health forums I frequent even said that they regularly gave to resident patients, preserving milk of magnesia (and other treatment option) for more persistent cases of constipation that saw a wait of more than 2 days without a bowel movement.
Increasing your activity level also goes a long way in boosting your milk of magnesia pregnancy discomfort relief.
Milk of Magnesia Pregnancy Category or Class
According to Drugs.com, magnesium hydroxide –the active ingredient in milk of magnesia has not been assigned to any pregnancy category by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) which by default leaves it in category N.
In other words, milk of magnesia belongs to a class of medications that don’t have any controlled data in relation to human pregnancy.
While other magnesium salts such as magnesium sulfate have been used extensively in pregnancy and no cases of congenital has been reported, Drugs.com maintains that milk of magnesia pregnancy discomfort alleviation should be used only in situations where benefits outweigh the risks.
