Can pregnant women use glycerin suppositories for constipation?

Apr 08, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I’m four months pregnant, and I’ve been experiencing mild constipation for the past two days. Is it safe to use glycerin suppositories?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Weiling
Pregnant women with constipation may use glycerin suppositories. The main ingredients of glycerin suppositories are glycerin and water; they function as lubricants, acting locally to ease stool passage without being absorbed systemically. Therefore, glycerin suppositories are generally considered safe for use during pregnancy and typically pose no harm to the pregnant woman. However, dosage should be reduced compared to non-pregnant individuals—just enough to facilitate smooth bowel movement.