Diarrhea during pregnancy: causes and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The work of the digestive system during pregnancy changes, this can happen not only due to a change in the location of the organs inside the abdominal cavity. The hormonal background and the state of the immune system also affect the functioning of the digestive tract. Constipation often occurs during pregnancy. However, sometimes the body reacts in an unusual way.

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea during pregnancy is expressed by frequent and loose stools. Food moves through the intestines due to its peristalsis, in other words, a uniform contraction of the smooth muscles of the intestinal walls. When such contractions are not very active, constipation appears, and when the process accelerates, diarrhea occurs. Constipation is not a pathology as such, but diarrhea is the body's response to intoxication.

The fact is that the products that are in the intestines are gradually absorbed into the blood. When toxins appear in the intestines, it is best to stop their absorption. And this means that you need to release as soon as possiblebody from these products. With the accelerated movement of food through the intestines, the liquid does not have time to be absorbed. This causes loose stools.

Early diarrhea

In the first trimester, the uterus is not much enlarged, it does not tend to change the location of the organs inside, and for this reason it will seem that everything should function as before. However, diarrhea during early pregnancy is caused by changes in the immune system.

If a woman is in a position, then the mother's body must accept a genetically completely different person and not reject him. Naturally, the child is separated from the mother by a placenta, a bladder, a large number of barriers. However, the woman's immune system is slightly reduced. This is necessary so that there is no negative reaction of the body to the fetus.

In the state when the immune system is depressed, diseases such as dysbacteriosis appear. Chronic infections also make themselves felt.

Diarrhea and dysbacteriosis in the early stages. What to do?

Dysbacteriosis very often causes diarrhea during early pregnancy. What to do in such situations? Everything will depend on the severity of the situation. When diarrhea during pregnancy manifests itself 2-3 times a day, it is necessary to consult a specialist in a planned manner. Before the consultation, you need to start taking more fluids, eat only diet food.

When diarrhea during pregnancy occurs no more than 10 times a day, you need to see a doctorcontact as soon as possible. Because otherwise dehydration may occur.

If intense diarrhea during pregnancy begins along with vomiting, then you need to call an ambulance doctor. It is worth noting that in such a situation, it will not work to replenish the liquid on your own.

When the situation is critical, the main task is to stabilize the condition of the pregnant woman. And after that, it is necessary to pass an analysis for dysbacteriosis, cultures for infections and a coprogram.

Absolutely each of the tests will provide an opportunity to understand what is the cause of diarrhea during pregnancy and what should be the treatment. Research data is indispensable.

Later diarrhoea

The last trimester of pregnancy will be marked by the systematic preparation of the female body for the process of childbirth - there is a restructuring of the hormone system, as well as the adjustment of certain processes. Some of them may be very natural, while others are undesirable or unacceptable.

Clinical picture

From a physiological point of view, diarrhea during pregnancy in the third trimester is the body's method of cleansing the intestines of all kinds of toxins before the birth process occurs. As a rule, relaxation during a bowel movement will be only temporary. This lasts no more than a few days and passes even before contractions. However, when diarrhea in late pregnancy lasts more than four days, there are specific changes in the color and consistency of the masses, bloody discharge,as well as mucus, this indicates a violation of natural functions. Also in this case, a woman may experience sharp pains in the abdomen.

It should be said that you can not self-medicate. A doctor with appropriate qualifications is obliged to determine and prescribe treatment, as unreasonable actions can harm the he alth of the mother and child.

Causes of diarrhea

Diarrhea during pregnancy in the third trimester is manifested by frequent bowel movements, and feces contain a large amount of water. In certain situations during pregnancy, there may be diarrhea that is entirely water.

It also happens that with diarrhea, the urge to defecate is frequent, there is no way to directly control the process itself, cramps are often added and, of course, abdominal pain, nausea and other symptoms.

A large number of women during pregnancy are very scrupulous in their selection of products, and also make menu adjustments to avoid diarrhea and other disorders.

In addition to physiological causes, diarrhea during pregnancy can also occur due to other events:

1. For up to 12 weeks, diarrhea appears as a sign of toxicosis. At this time, a pregnant woman experiences a change in the digestive system, a change in taste preferences, women begin to try to get rid of the consumption of harmful products. It is likely that cravings for s alty or sour foods will increase and the menu will be supplemented by a huge number of plant foods. The factors presented cancause loose stools. If diarrhea during pregnancy does not cause much discomfort, additional symptoms do not occur, then treatment can be omitted, but simply make a correction in the daily diet.
2. While carrying a baby, a woman needs to receive a huge amount of nutrients and vitamins. Because of this, before the onset of pregnancy, you need to take a course of vitamins. Such medicines will have some side effects in the form of diarrhea and nausea. If diarrhea occurs after taking a vitamin, then there is a need to change the medication.
3. Diarrhea during pregnancy often appears due to hormonal changes. During pregnancy in the later stages, a very intensive production of prostaglandins appears, which allows the body to prepare itself for childbirth. It follows from this that the intestines are completely cleared due to systematic diarrhea. This happens only in the later stages, but in the early stages with pain and spasms, you must be extremely careful, as a miscarriage or early birth can occur.
4. With an increase in the abdomen during pregnancy, pressure on the digestive tract begins to increase. The uterus very soon increases in size, presses on the internal organs. Then there is diarrhea, nausea, pain and a wide variety of ailments. In such a state, it is necessary to look at the feces itself and its color. When diarrhea is caused by some disease, the mass will be white or yellow. Also in the stool you can see foods that are not digested. When there were chronic diseases of the system before pregnancydigestion, then in the process they often go into an acute phase.

Bacterial infection during pregnancy

Diarrhea during pregnancy appears as a result of infection with various bacteria and microbes. Diarrhea in this case is strong, it is extremely difficult. In women during pregnancy, the temperature rises, abdominal pain occurs, and sometimes vomiting, against which dehydration occurs. This condition is very dangerous not only for the expectant mother herself, but also for the child. Therefore, a pregnant woman needs immediate medical attention.

Specific symptoms

Diarrhea can cause symptoms similar to those of non-pregnant women, but has specific characteristics:

1. Cramping as well as pain in the abdominal cavity can lead to miscarriage and premature birth.
2. High fever, vomiting, and chills will indicate intoxication and danger to mom and baby.
3. Penetration into the body of various viruses and bacteria threatens early on with the occurrence of pathologies, hypoxia, developmental abnormalities, but in the later stages with fetal death.

Is it dangerous for a woman and a child to become dehydrated? Together with feces, all vitamins are washed out of the body, which will affect the development of the child and the condition of the mother. Diarrhea in pregnancy should be stopped as soon as possible to avoid any complications.

Treatment

Doctors say that it is necessary to maintain an active lifestyle, walk even in the last days of pregnancy, when childbirth can begin any minute. Walkthroughmaternity training courses and prenatal gymnastics reduce the risk of diarrhea.

It is very important to know that it is possible to do without medical help only in one situation, when diarrhea proceeded without any symptoms and stopped going as soon as the pregnant woman excluded the product that caused it from her own diet.

To stop losing fluid, you need to drink water, juices and nectars very often and a lot. With the permission of the doctor, you can use mineral water, special dietary and protein-type cocktails. As a treatment for diarrhea during pregnancy, milk and dairy products, especially kefir, yogurt and sour cream, should be excluded from your own diet. It must be remembered that in order to constantly maintain intestinal motility, it is necessary to move more and carry out daily walks. But still, with diarrhea, rest and rest should be observed.

Never use antibiotics or other medicines without medical advice. Whatever recommendations a pharmacist in any pharmacy would give, only a competent gynecologist of the appropriate qualification can choose the right and effective treatment, since many antibiotics and antiviral drugs cannot be taken before 30 weeks of pregnancy.

Food

How to treat diarrhea during pregnancy? It should be noted right away that in the last trimester you should be especially careful when choosing food. This can prevent diarrhea in advance.

It is recommended to avoid foods that can irritate the intestinal mucosa:

1. Fried and smoked, as well as spicy dishes.
2. S alt, pepper and spices.
3. Coffee and tea
4. Carbonated, coffee-containing drinks.

It is necessary to make a diet in such a way as to completely remove overeating or long periods of time between meals. The best option would be to eat fractional portions and at a specific time. It is very important to follow diets. The last trimester is very difficult, for this reason, nutrition should be light, but very rich in vitamins and minerals.

It is worth noting that all kinds of jelly from berries can make the chair normal and strengthen it. A three-day rice-banana diet will also help in this matter.

Conclusion

Now you know why diarrhea can occur during pregnancy. There can be many reasons. The main thing that a woman in a position needs to do is to consult a doctor in time.