Activated carbon is one of the most effective and harmless drugs for the treatment of poisoning, bloating, and digestive disorders. However, can it be taken during pregnancy, does it pose a threat to the health of the fetus or mother? Should you take charcoal, or is it better to be wary of it?
In any home medicine cabinet there is a couple of packs of activated charcoal. It is the very first treatment for food poisoning, colic and digestive problems. Coal is a practically harmless drug, it works as an adsorbent: it absorbs all poisons, pathogenic microorganisms and toxins, and then removes them along with feces.
However, during pregnancy, even completely harmless drugs cause suspicion in women. So is it possible to be treated with activated charcoal while waiting for the baby, will it harm the fetus or the mother's body?
Whether or not to take charcoal during pregnancy
For any discomfort of a pregnant woman, it is recommended to consult a doctor before taking medications. Many drugs are prohibited for use in pregnant women. With activated carbon, the situation is slightly different. In case of poisoning from spoiled food or colic, you can take charcoal without fear that it will harm your child.
When ingested, medicinal coal, due to its porous structure, absorbs all poisons and toxins from the intestines, and then seven hours later removes them from the mother's body along with feces. The coal will not be absorbed into the blood, which means it will not enter the placenta, therefore, it will not harm the fetus in any way.
On the other hand, if an adsorbent is not taken during food poisoning, toxins, poisons and other harmful substances will penetrate into the bloodstream and can negatively affect the child. Therefore, in case of poisoning, it is recommended to call a doctor and eat several tablets or capsules of activated carbon with a glass of water. For pregnant women, the dosage of the drug does not differ from the dosage for other people: one tablet per ten kilograms of weight.
With heartburn, nausea, increased gas production, you can also use activated charcoal, one and a half to two grams of the drug is enough.
Harm and side effects of activated carbon
Long-term intake of coal can lead to leaching of the intestinal microflora, since, together with poisons and toxins, coal adsorbs vitamins, minerals and beneficial bacteria. Therefore, it is recommended to drink charcoal during pregnancy only when needed. It is advisable to also take vitamins at this time, however, the interval between the use of charcoal and vitamins should be at least three hours.
Some pregnant women are sometimes strongly drawn to coal. In this case, you should not resist zealously, it is better to eat one or two tablets and calm down, in such a scanty amount it is unlikely to harm the body.
Side effects of activated charcoal can include constipation or diarrhea. With prolonged use, hypovitaminosis appears. In addition, the feces take on a black color, this is quite normal, so do not be afraid.
Activated charcoal will undoubtedly help a pregnant woman cope with poisoning, heartburn, bloating, but they should not be abused, otherwise you can deplete your body. Take charcoal wisely and preferably only when needed!
