Bibliographic Info
GuidelineWHO recommendations on maternal health: guidelines approved by the WHO Guidelines Review Committee, second edition. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2025
Year of Publication2023
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
Status
Updated
Recommended
Wheat bran or other fibre supplements can be used to relieve constipation in pregnancy if the condition fails to respond to dietary modification, based on a woman’s preferences and available options.
Notes and Remarks
- 1.Dietary advice to reduce constipation during pregnancy should include promoting adequate intake of water and dietary fibre (found in vegetables, nuts, fruit and whole grains).
- 2.For women with troublesome constipation that is not relieved by dietary modification or fibre supplementation, stakeholders may wish to consider intermittent use of poorly absorbed laxatives.