Is a multispecies probiotic mixture effective in constipation during pregnancy? 'A pilot study'

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Obstetrics
• Microbiology

Background:

• Constipation is a prevalent issue during pregnancy, with limited effective and safe treatment options currently available.
• Existing interventions often carry side effects, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a specific probiotic mixture in managing constipation among pregnant women.
• To assess the impact of probiotic supplementation on defecation frequency and other constipation-related symptoms.

Main Methods:

• An uncontrolled intervention study involving 20 pregnant women with functional constipation.
• Participants received a daily dose of Ecologic®Relief (a probiotic blend) for four weeks.
• Primary outcome was the change in defecation frequency; secondary outcomes included stool consistency, pain, and adverse effects.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in defecation frequency was observed, rising from 3.1 to 6.7 per week (p < 0.01).
• Significant reductions were noted in the sensation of incomplete evacuation, anorectal obstruction, straining, abdominal pain, and reflux episodes.
• No adverse side effects were reported during the study period.

Conclusions:

• The probiotic mixture Ecologic®Relief demonstrates effectiveness in treating constipation during pregnancy.
• Further investigation through a randomized placebo-controlled trial is warranted to validate these promising results.