Pregnancy And Diarrhea
Pregnancy and diarrhea, a really uncomfortable combination for any expectant mother. In addition, and unfortunately for many women, it is very common; even more than you think.
The dual pregnancy and diarrhea can be present throughout the gestation period without this meaning that something serious happens. This, as long as the stool is not accompanied by blood, abdominal pain and that there is no presence of fever.
This uncomfortable situation is very common, so much so that it could be considered one of the regular symptoms of pregnancy. The urge to go to the bathroom increases in future mothers and their stools are more watery, especially in the first and third trimesters.
It should be kept in mind that, during pregnancy, the changes that a woman’s body undergoes are important. Therefore, these can also cause undesirable reactions.
In the first trimester, when nausea and vomiting usually appear, diarrhea also occurs as a complementary component to the discomfort typical of early pregnancy.
In addition, almost at full term, diarrhea also usually appears, thanks to the pressure that the baby exerts on the mother’s stomach. This causes less efficient digestion.
Pregnancy and diarrhea: what are the causes?
While it can have a number of triggers, these are the most common origins of this condition:
Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes play an important role in causing diarrhea during pregnancy. Hormones do their thing and affect the gastrointestinal system ; thus, they cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and also constipation, in some cases.
Diet modifications
Sometimes pregnancy and diarrhea are combined when the expectant mother modifies her eating habits for healthier ones, due to her condition.
In general, the intake of fruits and fibrous foods is increased to prevent constipation; This triggers the diarrhea. Fortunately, if it is due to changes in the daily diet, this discomfort will only appear for a few days.
Medication or vitamin intake
Some multivitamins that are prescribed for pregnant women can cause diarrhea in pregnancy. Contrary to what happens with iron, which causes constipation.
Digestion problems
It is very likely that, during pregnancy, digestion problems, a heavy stomach, nausea and vomiting will occur. Diarrhea often occurs in these cases as a result of poor digestion of food.
Lactose intolerance
A large number of expectant mothers increase their milk intake during pregnancy. This sometimes leads to sudden lactose intolerance, commonly accompanied by diarrhea.
This cause can be easily ruled out by stopping milk consumption and taking other calcium supplements. If it is noted that the diarrhea has stopped, then we must continue with the measures taken. Luckily, after delivery, you can probably continue consuming dairy without any problem.
Immune system vulnerability
While the woman is pregnant, she is the perfect target for contracting diseases and infections due to the vulnerability of her immune system.
In this sense, stomach bacteria, infections and viruses choose it as the ideal candidate. This results in the undesirable combination: pregnancy and diarrhea.
Can I prevent diarrhea in pregnancy?
Fortunately, yes! We can avoid the terrible combination of pregnancy and diarrhea by just following these very easy tips:
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Make sure your vegetables and fruits are perfectly sanitized before consuming them.
- Avoid eating a lot at one meal; it is preferable to eat several small meals a day.
- If you go out for a walk, only drink bottled water at the food places you visit.
- Avoid experimenting with dishes and condiments that you are unfamiliar with.
- Significantly cut down on drinks with processed sugar, such as soda and energy drinks.
- Watch the drugs you take and what they do to you; If you identify one as the culprit of diarrhea, consult your doctor to prescribe another.
Final suggestions
After pregnancy, when your routines are readjusted to your new life, surely this type of discomfort will be considerably reduced.
Meanwhile, if it occurs during pregnancy, you must remember that it is something perfectly normal. However, s i feel that is already occurring excessively, visit your doctor to avoid complications.
Also, in case you have bouts of diarrhea, have sports drinks that contain electrolytes on hand to avoid dehydration.
Lastly, don’t let this discomfort ruin your days. Go ahead with the best attitude, that surely you can overcome this and many other things.
