Can You Take Colace While Pregnant?

Pregnancy comes with a strange built-in dilemma — a host of new symptoms and a list of things you can’t take for them.

So what’s the deal when you have constipation?

Are stool softeners on the cards?

And if you’re about to reach for the package — can you take Colace while pregnant?

You’ll be pleased to know there’s good news here.

So if you're feeling like it’s hard to "go with the flow", we’ll take you through the details. 💩

In this article: 📝

What is Colace?

Colace is the brand name for a laxative called docusate sodium.

It works as a stool softener to treat occasional constipation.

And how does that all happen? Here’s the story:

Colace relaxes dry, hard poop that is trying to make its way through your digestive system.

By drawing water and fats into your stool, it is able to help it along its journey.

Sound like that’s exactly what you need right now? You’re not alone.

The reality is, constipation gets to work in about 40% of pregnancies — and beyond.

Yep, it can also follow you well into the postpartum period.

Constipation during pregnancy can happen for a few different reasons.

A common cause? Progesterone.

This is one of the key hormones that helps your body support pregnancy, meaning that levels are high for the duration of it.

And one of the things that progesterone does is relax the muscles of the intestines.

So yes, it’s common for things to be going slow in there.

There are other possibilities too.

You need more fluids when you’re pregnant to keep everything running smoothly — the American Pregnancy Association suggests about eight to twelve glasses a day, since constipation can be a sign of dehydration.

Another reason? Prenatal vitamins.

While they are important over this time, the added iron content can obstruct the flow of things.

If you think this is what’s causing your constipation, talk to your doctor about alternatives to your current brand.

Other lifestyle changes that can help with constipation? Increasing your fiber intake can help.

But never fear — whatever’s causing it, relief is out there.

Is Colace safe to take while pregnant?

Yes, Colace is generally considered safe to take when you’re pregnant. 🎉

Expert embryologist Navya Muralidhar explains: "it's because their active ingredient is not well absorbed by the body, so even less ends up in the bloodstream, making it harmless during pregnancy."

It can help relieve constipation, as well as the uncomfortable symptoms that often accompany it, such as bloating and cramping.

It’s important to check in with your doctor if your symptoms persist and/or worsen.

While constipation in pregnancy is usually nothing to worry about, there are rare cases where it may signal a more serious health condition, like an infection or problems with your gastrointestinal function.

Get in touch with your doctor if your constipation is accompanied by any of these symptoms:

• Mucus or large amounts of blood in your stool
• Diarrhea that doesn’t let up
• Serious cramps
• Rectal bleeding
• A rash

Does Colace cross the placenta?

It’s unlikely that Colace will cross the placenta.

That’s because it sticks around in your digestive tract, with hardly any of it going into your bloodstream.

If a medication is not in your bloodstream, it doesn’t pass to your baby.

Colace doesn’t have any confirmed links to an increased chance of pregnancy loss or birth differences, so it should be safe for both you and your baby.

How much Colace can I take while pregnant?

The recommended dosage for adults is 50 to 300 milligrams once a day or taken in divided doses — but again, it’s important to check in with your doctor before starting on any laxative meds.

Navya stresses the importance of following recommended dosages, especially for Colace: "it’s important not to go above the recommended dosage as this can then affect magnesium levels in the body".

It’s also important to know that Colace isn't without its side effects, including:

• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Cramping
• Scratchy throat

If you have an allergic reaction, you may experience swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

You may also have trouble breathing and/or get hives. It’s important to get to the emergency if any of these symptoms occur.

How long does it take Colace to work while pregnant?

All going well, things should start moving from somewhere between 12 and 72 hours.

If it doesn’t work, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor.

And don’t use them for longer than a week unless your doc gives you the go-ahead.

Believe us, we know there's a not-so glamorous side to pregnancy.

(Probably most of it, TBH. 👀)

But none of it is anything to be embarrassed about.

Because, chances are, it's something millions of women have experienced at some point in their pregnancy.

So if you want to talk to other moms-to-be about all the parts of your pregnancy journey — yep, even whether you can take Colace while pregnant — we're having the conversation on Peanut.

Hope you get things flowing again soon, mama. 😌