Diarrhea during early pregnancy - how to stop?

What is diarrhea and its types

If in a healthy person diarrhea, regardless of its causes, is a pathology, then in a pregnant woman it may be part of a physiological process associated with her position. But diarrhea can also be a sign of certain diseases and disorders of the body. Therefore, it is very important to differentiate the manifestation of diarrhea as normal and as pathology.

Diarrhea is when a person has bowel movements more than 3 times a day. The feces are liquid, often with a foul odor and foreign impurities (blood, mucus). The color of stool may vary depending on the cause of the diarrhea.

There are several types of diarrhea:

• Secretory - appears due to a violation of the secretion of sodium and water, and a decrease in the absorption of the intestinal walls. The stool is very watery and usually green in color.
• Hyperexudative – appears in various gastrointestinal pathologies (Crohn’s disease, salmonellosis, intestinal carcinoma, ulcer). Foreign impurities may be found in the stool.
• Osmolar is a pathological process that manifests itself due to impaired absorption of certain elements: dysbacteriosis, enzyme deficiency, morphological transformation of the gastrointestinal mucosa. The stool is characterized by the presence of a large amount of undigested food.
• Hyper- and hypokinetic – a consequence of gastrointestinal motility disorders after exceeding the dose of laxatives. This form of diarrhea can occur as a result of anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome. Characterized by copious excretion of feces in the form of liquid gruel.

Can diarrhea harm a pregnant woman?

Depending on the cause of the phenomenon, the danger to the fetus is determined. Diarrhea in pregnant women with an increase in body temperature is a reason to immediately call a doctor.

Danger in early pregnancy

• Decreased immunity;
• Intoxication at a temperature of 38°C;
• Dehydration;
• Lack of blood flow;
• Reduced blood pressure;
• Kidney failure;
• Pneumonia.

When an infection or virus enters the body, a woman feels weak, drowsy, and her skin turns pale. The body's defenses are redirected from protecting the fetus to fighting infection. Immunity decreases.

If the patient's body temperature is above 38 degrees, blood pressure is below 100/70, the body is dehydrated, density increases and blood circulation slows down. Mother and fetus lack oxygen. The simultaneous production of oxytocin (with a lack of blood flow) causes uterine contractions, causing miscarriage.

Danger in late pregnancy

• thrombosis, gestosis;
• oligohydramnios;
• premature birth;
• decreased immunity.

Complications during pregnancy occur as a result of dehydration, increased blood viscosity, and intestinal tone. The urge to defecate stimulates uterine contractions. Given the high concentration of oxytocin (the contraction hormone) in the blood, the risk of miscarriage, especially in late pregnancy, increases by 30–35%.

After the 37th week of pregnancy, frequent diarrhea, which is not dangerous if you feel normal, is a sign of the imminent onset of contractions (5–10 days). At the same time, if the diarrhea is not foamy, without impurities, or brown in color, there is no reason to consult a doctor.

Signs of diarrhea during pregnancy

Signs of diarrhea during early pregnancy:

• increased gas formation and bloating;
• pain attacks in the lower abdomen;
• in case of intestinal infection or poisoning, the temperature may rise, weakness, nausea, and headaches may appear;
• With heavy bowel movements, there may be a strong feeling of thirst, drying of the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth.

Prevention

From the moment a woman learns that she will become a mother, she should seriously think about her diet. It is a balanced diet during early pregnancy that allows the fetus to receive all the necessary nutrients for development and protects the expectant mother from possible digestive disorders.

Pregnant women should adhere to the following nutritional recommendations:

• Eat often, but in small portions, and try not to exceed the daily caloric intake by more than 10-15% of the usual values.
• There is no need to “eat for two,” because this can lead not only to eating disorders, but also to excess weight.
• Try to avoid exotic, previously untried dishes, as this can lead to vomiting or diarrhea.
• Don't overeat.
• Eat only fresh foods.
• Before eating raw vegetables or fruits, they must be thoroughly washed under running water.
• Meat and fish should be consumed only after preliminary heat treatment, since insufficiently fried products may contain parasites.
• Be sure to wash your hands before eating and after returning from the toilet or crowded places.
• During an epidemic, try not to visit crowded places, as the risk of contracting the disease increases.

Diarrhea during pregnancy is in most cases easily treatable, but it is better to try to avoid this unpleasant condition. It is necessary to adhere to the above nutritional rules, and also monitor not only the quality, but also the quantity of foods consumed.

Author: Violeta Kudryavtseva, doctor, especially for Mama66.ru

During the period of gestation, the body works in an enhanced mode. The main burden falls on the immune system; resources are directed to the preservation and development of the embryo. Those disorders that the body could cope with without difficulty before conception now require additional drug support. Diarrhea during pregnancy cannot be ignored, since the risk of intestinal infection with a weakened immune system is 42%. If diarrhea is not associated with pathogenic bacteria, proper nutrition and sorbents will return stool to normal within 5–7 days, without danger to the fetus.

Causes of diarrhea during pregnancy

Factors that cause diarrhea early in pregnancy may include:

• Dietary disorder. During pregnancy, women often change their taste preferences and begin to eat foods that they did not eat before conception. When combining incompatible products, stool may be disrupted.
• Toxicosis, changes in hormonal levels due to pregnancy. Restructuring the body can cause intestinal dysfunction and provoke diarrhea.
• Excessive emotional stress and anxiety that pregnant women face can affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Food poisoning , which occurs when eating spoiled foods. In addition to diarrhea, the patient experiences vomiting and nausea. Intoxication of the body occurs.
• Intestinal infections (cholera, dysentery, rotavirus, etc.) are dangerous pathologies that cause diarrhea. They can greatly affect the course of pregnancy, so the first signs of the disease should be a reason to immediately consult a doctor.
• Worms can appear due to poor hygiene, improper food preparation, and consumption of unwashed fruits.
• gastrointestinal diseases often provoke frequent loose stools.
• When using laxatives in abnormal doses, diarrhea may occur. After stopping taking such medications, it goes away.

Causes of diarrhea in early pregnancy

The causes of diarrhea in early pregnancy can vary. First of all, at the beginning of pregnancy, the hormonal background changes sharply, the level of progesterone and estrogen increases, which have a certain effect on the tone and motility of the gastrointestinal tract. As a result of sharp fluctuations in hormones, loose stools and signs of toxicosis may occur. Plus, changes in hormone levels also lead to a physiological decrease in immunity, which leads to increased susceptibility of the body to various infections, including intestinal ones. Therefore, both infectious and physiological causes of diarrhea are possible. It is necessary to clearly distinguish between them, because in case of infection, active treatment is necessary, while the effect of hormones gradually normalizes, and diarrhea will go away on its own.

In the early stages of pregnancy, diarrhea can be combined with nausea and vomiting, a sharp increase in sensitivity to odors, malaise and weakness, breast swelling and delayed menstruation - then it is worth thinking about the hormonal cause of the malaise. The stool does not weaken much or sharply, there are up to 3-4 bowel movements a day, the smell and color of the stool do not change, there are no streaks of blood or mucus, or greenery.

Dangers of Diarrhea During Pregnancy

Diarrhea at the beginning of pregnancy is characterized by a persistent course, which leads to dehydration and, as a consequence, vomiting. Toxicosis during this period causes a decrease in appetite, a lack of desire to drink, so as not to provoke the urge to vomit. This is a typical scenario for complications. During pregnancy in the second and third trimester, diarrhea (diarrhea) is more easily tolerated.

Dangers of Diarrhea:

• Dehydration with diarrhea leads not only to the loss of fluid, but also important vitamins and minerals.
• Frequent intestinal contractions increase uterine tone and contraction of the uterus. And this threatens the woman with spontaneous abortion or miscarriage.
• When the body is intoxicated due to diarrhea, pathological processes of fetal development and disruption of the formation of the central nervous system can be observed.

What are the dangers of diarrhea in the first weeks of pregnancy?

1. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration and loss of microelements, which has a detrimental effect on the child's intrauterine development. An abundance of vitamins and minerals is the key to the health of the unborn baby, as well as his mother. Their deficiency can cause various pathologies in the fetus, especially in the first semester, when the formation of internal organs occurs.
2. Frequent intestinal spasms during diarrhea in the early stages of pregnancy carry the risk of miscarriages, as they cause contractions of the uterus.
3. Loose stools caused by intoxication can also cause miscarriage or various pathologies in the child, especially in the early stages of development.
4. An allergy that leads to the appearance of loose stools is dangerous in itself, since it has an effect on the fetus. In addition, a predisposition to allergies can be passed on to the child. In case of severe allergic reactions, you cannot do without taking antihistamines, which is undesirable, especially in the first months of pregnancy, when the formation of organs and the nervous system occurs.
5. Taking medications to treat illnesses that cause diarrhea should be carried out under the strict supervision of specialists, since medications have many negative contraindications for fetal development. Therefore, their intake should be strictly limited.

First aid for diarrhea

If there are no other symptoms other than diarrhea, you can take the first steps at home . First you need to skip a few meals. In this case, you need to increase your fluid intake . Portions should be frequent and fractional, so as not to cause vomiting by drinking too much. The best remedies for the body’s loss of minerals and fluids are still water, tea, a decoction of chamomile or St. John’s wort, as well as Regidron.

Next, you should seek help from a specialist .
He will order additional tests to help determine what caused the diarrhea and determine a treatment regimen.

In the later stages

Loose stools that appear during pregnancy in the later stages, from about 39 weeks, are often a sign of the imminent onset of labor.

By increasing the excretion of feces, the body strives to remove everything “unnecessary” so that the birth goes smoothly. That is, diarrhea may well be a harbinger of labor, but the timing of its appearance is strictly limited - about a day before the onset of true contractions and the breaking of water.

If there are still 2-3 weeks left before the expected date of birth, then you should not consider loose stools as a harbinger of labor. Most likely, the cause of diarrhea is based on other factors, so if loose stools appear at 36-37 weeks of pregnancy, it is necessary to take measures to eliminate it.

If diarrhea is accompanied by symptoms such as mucus in the stool, blood and fever, there is no need to hesitate to call an ambulance. Abdominal pain and the listed symptoms can increase the tone of the uterus and cause labor before the due date.

You should not be afraid of infectious diseases hospitals - they will not keep a healthy woman there. In addition, tests will quickly show the cause of loose stools, which means the problem can be eliminated in a short time. In addition, during pregnancy it is better to be under medical supervision rather than fighting diarrhea at home on your own.

To determine the cause of diarrhea, the doctor collects the pregnant woman's medical history. He asks the woman about the food she ate the day before, about possible contacts with infectious patients, and about the nature of the stool.

Instrumental examination methods include gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy. But all these studies are permissible only in the early stages of gestation; later only ultrasound is used.

Laboratory diagnostics consists of examining stool for coprogram, bacterial culture and worm eggs. Biochemical tests can show changes in the acid-base balance, abnormalities in liver tests, pancreatic disorders and hormonal changes.

How to treat diarrhea during pregnancy

Therapy aimed at eliminating diarrhea can be inpatient or home .

Hospitalization in a hospital is mandatory if diarrhea is accompanied by stomach pain, weakness and malaise. In case of severe intoxication, infusion therapy is prescribed. If diarrhea is caused by severe food poisoning, gastric lavage is performed, after which the patient needs absolute rest.

Drug therapy

For uncomplicated diarrhea during pregnancy, diarrhea can be treated at home with drugs that do not harm the pregnant woman and the fetus. What can you do for diarrhea during pregnancy?

• Activated carbon is the most budget-friendly product that should be taken at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight. It removes toxins and normalizes stool.
• Smecta is a powder that needs to be dissolved in 100 g of warm water and drunk in one go.
• Regidron is a remedy that prevents dehydration of the body. Dissolve 1 sachet in 1 liter of water and take in small portions every 5-10 minutes.
• Enterosgel – frees the intestines from harmful elements, removes toxins.

To normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, the doctor may prescribe enzyme agents: Pancreatin, Creon, Mezim.

Important! All medications are taken strictly according to instructions. They are appropriate for diarrhea that is not very bothersome. In complicated cases, independent therapy is not acceptable.

Diet for diarrhea in pregnant women

At the first signs of diarrhea, a woman in the early stages of bearing a child should limit herself to drinking plenty of fluids . This will save the body from losing water. It is allowed to introduce white bread crackers into the diet.

On the second day, the menu may be enriched with unleavened porridges made from rice and oatmeal. It is useful to drink rice broth for diarrhea. It promotes normal feces formation. To prepare it you need to take 1 teaspoon of rice and ½ liter of water. Simmer over low heat for 40 minutes. Drink ¼ cup of the strained broth every 3 hours.

You can normalize your intestinal microflora with yogurt. It can be taken at different stages of pregnancy. It should not contain additives so as not to cause irritation of the intestinal mucosa.

Blueberries or viburnum berries, as well as pears (baked, dried, or a decoction of them) will help reduce the number of bowel movements.

What not to eat if you have diarrhea in pregnant women:

• meat products;
• spicy and salty dishes;
• fresh fruits and juices from them;

• sparkling water;
• coffee;
• fermented milk products and milk.

To avoid activation of intestinal motility, it is better to avoid broths, soups and other liquid dishes.

Folk remedies for diarrhea

Not all non-traditional methods of treating diarrhea can be used by pregnant women. Before using any prescription, you should consult your doctor .

• Take warm boiled water (100 ml), dilute starch in it (1 teaspoon). Drink in one go.
• Peel 1 pomegranate, pour 200 ml of boiling water over the peel. Infuse the product for about an hour and drink instead of tea.
• Prepare blueberry jelly. You can take it 2 times a day, 1 glass.
• Grind walnut leaves (1 tablespoon), boil them in ½ liter of water for 15-20 minutes. Drink the decoction 3 times a day, 1 tbsp. spoon.

If the factor causing diarrhea is stress and emotional tension, it is useful to take decoctions that have a sedative effect. Mint or motherwort are suitable for preparing the drink.

Why is diarrhea dangerous in early pregnancy?

If it is diarrhea caused by hormonal changes, it is not dangerous for the woman and the fetus, but if it is for other reasons, then the risks are determined by the severity of the diarrhea. If the diarrhea is short-lived and goes away within a day, there is no danger, the body fully compensates for the losses. If this is an infectious cause, viral infections are much more dangerous; they can damage the fetus, while microbial infections cause toxicosis, which can disrupt the course of pregnancy and provoke miscarriage. These problems must be treated strictly under the supervision of a doctor. If diarrhea becomes chronic, we are most likely talking about an exacerbation of pathologies of the stomach or intestines, which leads to the loss of vitamins and minerals necessary for the body of the mother and fetus.

What else is dangerous about diarrhea in the early stages:

• Intestinal spasms and active peristalsis lead to an increase in the tone of the uterus, which can lead to detachment of the fertilized egg and death of the embryo.
• Infectious agents, penetrating into the fertilized egg, can threaten developmental defects and serious damage to the child.
• An increase in temperature in the early stages of pregnancy is also dangerous in terms of the development of complications.
• Frequent diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration, loss of electrolytes, cramps, malaise, and heart and kidney problems.

Alena Paretskaya, pediatrician, medical columnist

just today

( 51 votes, average: 4.55 out of 5)

Related Posts

• Amniotic cord during pregnancy: causes and treatment

• Planned caesarean section: indications and preparation

Prevention of diarrhea during pregnancy

To protect yourself from such a nuisance at the beginning of pregnancy, a woman must adhere to some rules:

• normalize nutrition - food should always be fresh and thermally well processed;
• do not drink raw water;
• take care of your own hygiene;
• wash vegetables and fruits before eating;
• do not eat in questionable places.

Loose stools during pregnancy

A pregnant woman is attentive to any changes that occur in her body.

Since many of them during pregnancy, for example, loose stools, may indicate that the woman has health problems.

The presence of loose stools during pregnancy can cause illness, but can also be a temporary phenomenon.

During pregnancy, various digestive problems are considered normal, because the expectant mother’s body undergoes a complete restructuring during this period, and most organs begin to work differently.

Diarrhea or loose stools can plague a pregnant woman for several reasons.

Namely, due to diseases of the large intestine or general pathologies. Diarrhea, as a rule, is accompanied by pain, increased gas formation and general disorders of the body, nausea, weakness, unpleasant taste in the mouth, and fever.

Diarrhea during pregnancy

Diarrhea is characterized by frequent bowel movements. It occurs when stool passes through the large intestine too quickly.

There are many causes of diarrhea. With this pathology, the character of the stool changes.

During pregnancy, watery, mushy, foamy, and even bloody stools are observed. The smell of your stool may change. Diarrhea is sometimes accompanied by painful sensations. Flatulence and bloating are true companions of diarrhea.

Causes of diarrhea during pregnancy

• Insufficient or, on the contrary, excessive amount of food consumed, or non-compliance with the diet.
• Craving for unusual or completely inedible foods.
• Extensive hormonal changes in the body, which is accompanied by a decrease in the functions of the immune system.
• Toxicosis.

However, the causes of diarrhea can be more serious. The female body during pregnancy is characterized by increased sensitivity to infectious agents and food toxins.

Diarrhea can be caused by intestinal infections: typhus, cholera, dysentery, and others.

Loose stools can occur due to food poisoning, which also needs to be treated under the supervision of a specialist.

Sometimes diarrhea at the beginning of pregnancy is a symptom of food allergies, diseases of the stomach, pancreas, neurogenic reactions, helminthic lesions, severe hormonal disorders, and dysbiosis.

When to see a doctor

If after eating a product you experience vomiting and frequent loose stools, but there is no blood or mucus in the stool, no weakness, no fever, there is no need to worry.

Most likely, this is a mild form of poisoning that can be treated at home. Diarrhea can also be caused by stress and overexertion.

However, in early pregnancy, abnormal bowel movements and diarrhea can be dangerous because:

• It leads to dehydration; beneficial microorganisms and elements leave the body along with fluid.
• Increased contraction of the intestines causes an increase in the tone of the muscular apparatus of the uterus and its reflex contractions, which can cause miscarriage (spontaneous abortion).
• During diarrhea, intoxication is observed, which is dangerous not only due to miscarriage, but also due to malformations of the child.

Changes in the color of stool without other signs of poisoning may also be observed. When black stool occurs during pregnancy, the change in color is most likely associated with taking medications containing iron.

In this case, this phenomenon is considered normal and does not require therapeutic measures.

Doctors say that in this way excess iron is removed from the body: the required dose is absorbed, and all excess is excreted in the stool.

In such a case, it is not necessary to consult a doctor. But this is only if you take vitamins.

In addition, the dark color of the stool can be explained by the consumption of coloring foods, for example, blueberries or black currants.

Before going to the doctor, remember if you consumed similar foods the day before. You may have absolutely nothing to worry about.

You may also notice green stools during pregnancy. Typically, these changes are also not indicators of serious health problems. But if you have any doubts, you need to get tested immediately.

The situation is completely different when the change in stool color is not associated with taking coloring foods or vitamins.

Then you need to take a blood test. If you have a history of stomach or duodenal ulcers, then you also need to be tested for the presence of occult blood in the stool.

Since during pregnancy, dark stools may be a sign of bleeding from the stomach. But in this case, other signs of this disease should be noted:

• collapse;
• pallor;
• sticky sweat.

In some cases, during pregnancy, light-colored stools may appear, which is accompanied by darkening of the color of urine and itchy skin.

This is a sign of hepatitis or other liver pathology. If there is such a change in stool, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diarrhea may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• heat;
• sharp pain in the intestinal area.

If the above symptoms are present, you can suspect an exacerbation of a chronic disease, or a severe intestinal infection.

In any case, this kind of condition poses a threat to mother and baby.

Treating diarrhea at home

If during pregnancy there was constant loose stool and was not accompanied by the listed complications, you can treat it yourself at home. There are a few rules worth noting here.

It is necessary to replenish fluid losses. For this, you can choose diluted lactosol, herbal infusions, strong tea or Regidron. You need to drink often - at least half a glass per hour.

During diarrhea, you should not overload the stomach and intestines. You should go on a diet for at least a day, which includes black tea and white bread crackers.

Over the next few days, you should refrain from eating foods such as meat, butter, milk, fruits and vegetables.

The main diet should consist of slimy porridges and low-fat fermented milk products. It is good to treat bad stool during pregnancy with rice porridge, rice decoction, and also pomegranate seed decoction.

Taking medications must be discussed with your doctor. Even taking the minimum dose of the drug is unacceptable without prior consultation with a specialist.

How to avoid diarrhea

In order to ensure that stool remains normal in early pregnancy and during the gestation period, you should not use poorly packaged, expired products, or products that have an unpleasant odor and taste.

To be on the safe side, you should not purchase food by hand or try unwashed fruits and vegetables. After all, there is no such thing as too much caution.

Especially if you care not only about your health, but also about the health of your child.

If you liked the article and find it useful, share it on social networks: