Pregnancy And Diarrhea
Pregnancy and diarrhea is a really uncomfortable combination for any mom-to-be. Also, to the dismay of many women, it is very common. Even more than you think.
Double pregnancy and diarrhea can be present throughout the gestation period, without this meaning that something serious is happening. This is as long as the stools are not accompanied by blood, abdominal pain and there is no fever.
This uncomfortable situation is very common, so much so that it can be considered one of the regular symptoms of pregnancy. The urge to go to the bathroom increases in expectant mothers and their bowel movements are more fluid, especially in the first and third trimesters.
It is necessary to keep in mind that, during pregnancy, the changes that a woman’s body undergoes are significant. Therefore, they can also cause unwanted reactions.
In the first trimester, when nausea and vomiting usually appear, diarrhea also appears as a complementary component to the malaise inherent in early pregnancy.
Also, almost when it comes to term, the diarrhea returns thanks to the pressure exerted by the baby on the mother’s stomach. This consequently causes less efficient digestion.
Pregnancy and diarrhea: what are the causes?
Although it can have multiple triggers, these are the most common origins of this condition:
hormonal changes
Hormonal changes play an important role in terms of the causes of diarrhea during pregnancy. Hormones affect the gastrointestinal system and thus cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and also constipation in some cases.
Diet modifications
Sometimes pregnancy and diarrhea combine when the mother-to-be changes her eating habits for healthier ones due to her condition.
In general, the intake of fruits and fibrous foods is increased to prevent constipation, and this causes diarrhea. Fortunately, if caused by daily dietary changes, this discomfort will only persist for a few days.
Medication or consumption of vitamins
Some multivitamins that are prescribed to pregnant women can cause diarrhea during pregnancy. Unlike iron, which causes constipation.
Digestion Problems
It is very likely that, during pregnancy, there are problems with digestion, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea occurs in these cases, often as a result of poor digestion of food.
Lactose intolerance
A large number of pregnant women increase their milk consumption during pregnancy. This sometimes leads to sudden lactose intolerance, usually accompanied by diarrhea.
This cause can be easily ruled out by stopping milk consumption and consuming other calcium supplements. If we notice that the diarrhea has stopped, then we must continue with the adopted measures. Fortunately, after giving birth, you are likely to be able to consume dairy products without any problems.
Vulnerability of the immune system
While a woman is pregnant, she is the perfect target for getting illnesses and infections, due to the vulnerability of her immune system.
In this sense, it is chosen by stomach bacteria, infections and viruses as the ideal candidate. This results in the undesirable combination: pregnancy and diarrhea.
Can I prevent diarrhea in pregnancy?
Yes, happily! We can avoid the terrible combination of pregnancy and diarrhea just by following these simple tips:
- Maintain a balanced diet.
- Make sure your vegetables and fruits are perfectly sanitized before consuming them.
- Avoid eating too much in one meal. It is preferable to have several small meals during the day.
- If you go for a walk, only drink bottled water in the places you visit.
- Avoid trying dishes and condiments you don’t know.
- Considerably reduce your consumption of processed sugary drinks such as soda and energy drinks.
- Watch the medications you take and what they do to you. If you identify one of them as the culprit of diarrhea, see your doctor so he can prescribe another.
Final suggestions
After pregnancy, when your routine is adjusted to your new life, this kind of discomfort will certainly be considerably reduced.
In the meantime, if it occurs during pregnancy, you must remember that it is perfectly normal. However, if you feel it is happening excessively, see your doctor to avoid complications.
Also, if you experience diarrhea, always have sports drinks containing electrolytes on hand to prevent dehydration.
Finally, don’t let this discomfort spoil your days. Go ahead with a positive attitude because, for sure, you can overcome this and many other things.
