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Ask A Childbirth Educator
Questions and Answer

Q. I just found out I'm about 4 weeks pregnant. I usually need to take a fiber product or laxative because I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Will this harm the baby?

A. Fiber products such as Metamucil and other laxatives such as Colace have been taken by pregnant women with no harm to the baby. The few studies haven't shown any harm to the fetus, though postpartum certain laxatives might cause diarrhea in the breastfed newborn. Depending on which laxative you are taking you might need to switch after the baby is born.

Karen Klimsak-Ungar, CCE has been a certified childbirth educator for Birth Works® since 1996. She is currently Managing Editor for the Birth Works newsletter, sits on the Birth Works Board of Directors, and serves on their National Trainee Review Committee. A happily married mother of two, she also continues to teach Birth Works classes as well as private classes.

Karen will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.