It is essential to get sufficient vitamins if you’re pregnant to assist help you and your child’s well being. Take fiber, as an example — this important nutrient helps promote good digestion. However can you are taking fiber dietary supplements throughout being pregnant?
Typically, it’s best to at all times discuss to your physician earlier than attempting any kind of complement whilst you’re pregnant, whether or not it is a fiber capsule, digestive enzyme, or one thing else totally.
That is as a result of the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration does not require these merchandise to be confirmed protected or efficient earlier than they’re bought, so there isn’t any assure that any complement you are taking is protected, accommodates the components it says it does, or produces the results it claims.
So in the event you’re contemplating taking a fiber complement (like Benefiber) whereas pregnant, this is all the things it’s essential know, together with whether or not it is protected and the perfect sorts of merchandise to purchase.
Can You Take Fiber Dietary supplements Whereas Pregnant?
Keep in mind, it is essential to speak to your physician earlier than attempting a fiber complement throughout being pregnant (or any complement, for that matter). And with regards to including fiber to your eating regimen, take it gradual: Consuming an excessive amount of fiber too rapidly can result in gasoline, bloating, and cramping, based on Mayo Clinic. As an alternative, slowly enhance your consumption to provide your physique time to regulate.
That stated, there are some cases when taking sure sorts of fiber dietary supplements throughout being pregnant will help. The excessive progesterone ranges that include being pregnant, as an example, can decelerate your digestion and trigger points like constipation, based on the College of Rochester Medical Middle.
Constipation can be a typical aspect impact of iron supplementation (a mineral that is typically included in prenatal nutritional vitamins), based on the American Being pregnant Affiliation (APA).
Happily, fiber will help ease constipation, based on Mayo Clinic. Nonetheless, earlier than you flip to being pregnant fiber dietary supplements, it is best to get the nutrient by means of your meals. The 2020-2025 Dietary Tips for People say pregnant individuals ought to purpose to eat 25 to 36 grams of fiber day-after-day.
Good sources of fiber embrace:
- Fruit, specifically prunes
- Greens
- Legumes like lentils, peas, and beans
- Complete grains like spelt, buckwheat, and oatmeal
- Flaxseed
Should you’re consuming a eating regimen wealthy in fiber (and taking different measures to scale back constipation, like ingesting loads of water and exercising usually) and are nonetheless coping with digestive points like constipation, then it is time to discuss to your physician about whether or not you possibly can take fiber dietary supplements or gummies whereas pregnant, based on the APA.
They might suggest an over-the-counter (OTC) product to assist normalize your bowel actions (extra on that in a second).
The APA advises towards taking laxative tablets or dietary supplements to alleviate constipation whereas pregnant. These may cause dehydration and will set off uterine contractions.
Dehydration can be an element in the event you’re experiencing constipation throughout being pregnant. Rising fluid consumption will help, particularly if you add fiber to your eating regimen as properly.
Can You Take Benefiber Whereas Pregnant?
Benefiber is a typical OTC complement that is full of soluble fiber. This kind of fiber slows digestion, which will help decrease ldl cholesterol and glucose ranges, based on Mayo Clinic. However is Benefiber protected throughout being pregnant?
Whereas OTC fiber dietary supplements is usually a useful device to ease constipation, taking Benefiber throughout being pregnant is probably not the most suitable choice.
As a result of the product accommodates soluble fiber, it will not velocity your already gradual being pregnant digestion. As an alternative, it ferments in your gastrointestinal tract and will trigger signs like bloating and gasoline, based on Mayo Clinic. Insoluble fiber dietary supplements are sometimes a greater choice for constipation reduction, as a result of they will help bulk up your stool and make it simpler to move.
So whereas Benefiber is technically protected in being pregnant, it could not have the impact you are searching for. Your finest wager is to speak to your physician about whether or not Benefiber is okay to take if you’re pregnant, and ask for his or her suggestions about higher dietary supplements to attempt as a substitute.
It must be famous, although, that particular person tolerance issues. Some might even see higher outcomes with psyllium (combined soluble and insoluble). Psyllium husk is a typical ingredient in OTC merchandise, like Metamucil, that your physician could suggest. This naturally occurring fiber from the Plantago ovata plant accommodates each soluble and insoluble fiber.
Can You Take Benefiber Whereas Breastfeeding?
Should you’re experiencing constipation whereas breastfeeding, first attempt to get sufficient fiber by means of your eating regimen alone, based on Mayo Clinic. Additionally ensure you’re ingesting loads of fluids. Fluid is important to alleviate constipation, particularly when breastfeeding, since fluid wants go up.
But when the constipation persists, discuss to your physician about whether or not it’s possible you’ll profit from a complement like Benefiber, and in that case, what product and dosage are finest for you.
Fiber and fiber dietary supplements don’t move into breast milk. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to test along with your physician earlier than attempting any complement whereas breastfeeding, fiber or in any other case.
Finest Fiber Dietary supplements for Being pregnant
The easiest way to get your fiber — pregnant or not — is thru entire meals, based on Mayo Clinic.
However in the event you’re consuming sufficient fiber and getting ample fluids, however nonetheless experiencing constipation or different digestive points, some fiber dietary supplements are higher than others.
Protected and generally really useful choices in being pregnant embrace psyllium husk and methylcellulose (Citrucel). These bulk-forming brokers are supported with steerage as protected throughout being pregnant when taken with ample fluids.
Psyllium has been proven to alleviate constipation and is mostly thought-about a pregnancy-safe fiber complement when taken in correct doses, based on the American Gastroenterological Affiliation.
