Sujects: The subjects were 30 constipated pregnant women at more than 23 wk' gestation who had not defecated for more than 5 consecutive days without laxatives. Patients suffering from complications were excluded. Methods: The subjects were given 8g of syrup containing 4.2g XOS daily for 4 wk. During the experimental period, the subjects main tained their regular diet, and their daily food intake was not restricted, although they refrained from taking laxatives and other oligosaccharide preparations.