• D J Jewell and G Young.
• Division of Primary Health Care, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whiteladies Road, Bristol, UK. david.jewell@bristol.ac.uk
• Cochrane Db Syst Rev. 2000 Jan 1; 2001 (2): CD001142CD001142.

BackgroundCirculating progesterone may be the cause of slower gastrointestinal movement in mid and late pregnancy.ObjectivesThe objective of this review was to assess the effects of different methods for treating constipation in pregnancy.Search StrategyWe searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and Medline (1987 to 1997).Selection CriteriaRandomised trials of any treatment for constipation in pregnancy.Data Collection And AnalysisTrial quality assessments and data extraction were done independently by two reviewers.Main ResultsOne trial of 40 women was included. Fibre supplements increased the frequency of defaecation (odds ratio 0.18, 95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.67), and lead to softer stools.Reviewer's ConclusionsDietary supplements of fibre in the form of bran or wheat fibre are likely to help women experiencing constipation in pregnancy.

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