Is prune juice safe during pregnancy?

What does the evidence say about prune juice during pregnancy?

1. Prunes at 80 to 120 grams a day, roughly 10 to 15 prunes, significantly increased stool frequency and stool weight compared with placebo or psyllium in people with chronic constipation. 1
2. The laxative effect is credited to sorbitol at 14.7 grams per 100 grams and polyphenols at 184 mg per 100 grams, working alongside the fiber rather than from fiber alone. 2
3. Adults should get 22 to 34 grams of fiber a day, and drinking water and other liquids helps that fiber do its job. 3
4. Constipation affects roughly 35% of women in the first trimester and 39% in the second, and iron intake during pregnancy can make the complaint worse. 4
5. In pregnancy trials, fiber supplementation raised stool frequency by about 2.24 bowel movements per week, though the pooled evidence is limited. 5

Is prune juice safe in each trimester?

• First trimester. Constipation often starts here, with progesterone slowing the bowel and prenatal iron compounding it. A small daily serving with plenty of water is an easy first thing to try.
• Second trimester. This is the peak stretch for constipation in pregnancy. Prunes and prune juice fit naturally into the fiber-and-fluid approach that comes before any medication.
• Third trimester. Prune juice stays a fine option late on. If you have gestational diabetes, factor in the natural sugar content and check portion sizes with your provider or dietitian.