Diarrhea in Pregnancy – Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Diarrhea during pregnancy

Diarrhea during pregnancy is a complaint that is usually caused by hormonal changes. It can be treated with simple means and can also be prevented in most cases

What is diarrhea in pregnancy?

During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause various symptoms. One of them is diarrhea , which can already occur at the beginning of pregnancy and is often accompanied by other gastrointestinal problems such as flatulence and constipation . Diarrhea usually goes away after a while, but it can also become a chronic problem. It is then advisable to see a doctor who will determine the exact cause and initiate appropriate treatment. Medicines are just as possible here as sport and gymnastics. These measures are also useful for preventing diarrhea and other symptoms.

causes

Diarrhea during pregnancy can have a variety of causes. It is usually triggered directly or indirectly by hormonal changes. This leads to an increased development of stress , pregnant women are generally more tense and change their diet . All of these factors promote diarrhea, but can be remedied with simple measures. The same applies if the diarrhea occurs as a result of constipation and similar symptoms.

If diarrhea occurs during late pregnancy, it is because the unborn child is pressing on the intestines. Diarrhea can occur, especially during labour, but other symptoms such as constipation or stomach pain can also occur. In general, there are a number of possible causes, which differ depending on the week of pregnancy.

Determining the exact trigger is usually only possible after a comprehensive diagnosis. Within this it can also be determined whether an infection is possibly present. Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to this because the immune system is primarily concerned with protecting the baby. In order to determine the exact cause, a doctor should be consulted as soon as the first symptoms appear.

When to the doctor?

Diarrhea in the first trimester of pregnancy is usually nothing to worry about. The intestinal disorders are considered normal and disappear after a short time. The symptoms often occur as a result of the change in the organism.

Expectant mothers often pay attention to a healthy food intake. They eat more whole grain foods and eat lots of fruit and vegetables. At the same time, they avoid products with toxins, such as coffee or alcohol. This change leads to irritation in the digestive tract that the body has to get used to.

If the diarrhea symptoms persist for several days, a doctor should be consulted. There is a chance that the pregnant woman has food poisoning and will need a special diet for relief. Infection during pregnancy weakens the immune system. Damage to the child is possible. A doctor should therefore be consulted as soon as other symptoms of an infection such as nausea, vomiting or general weakness appear.

If the pregnant woman surrounds herself with people suffering from diarrheal infection, precautions should be taken to avoid contamination. At the first sign of discomfort, consult a doctor. Any unusual discoloration of the stool should be reported to a doctor. If there is additional blood or cramps and fever , a doctor’s visit should be made as soon as possible to initiate countermeasures.

diagnosis and course

Diarrhea during pregnancy can be self-diagnosed by those affected. However, it is up to a doctor to determine the cause. The doctor first carries out a comprehensive anamnesis with the patient in order to determine how long the symptoms have been occurring, how severe they are and what measures have already been taken. A look at the lifestyle and abnormalities in nutrition and in professional life also help to identify and eliminate triggering factors.

Physical examination is also an important part of diagnosis. Within this, the stool is examined for pathogens. Typical stress symptoms are also identified during the physical examination. X-ray examinations are usually not necessary, although it is possible to carry out an ultrasound examination if the symptoms are severe .

The course of the disease is usually unproblematic. The symptoms only appear until the end of the pregnancy and then go away on their own. If additional medication is administered, those affected can hope for rapid relief of the symptoms. However, it must always be clarified whether drug treatment will harm the baby and whether it is really necessary. Homeopathic remedies are an alternative that is now preferred by doctors.

treatment and therapy

Diarrhea during pregnancy is not usually treated specifically. Depending on the nature of the ailments, the attending physician prescribes light medications and prescribes alternative methods of therapy. Sport and gymnastics, for example, relieve the symptoms in a natural way and also help to alleviate other complaints.

If the diarrhea persists, further tests may need to be carried out. In the event of an infection, stronger drugs are prescribed and the patient is observed for the duration of the treatment. Serious diseases require other measures that depend on the trigger and the constitution of the person affected. Finally, various home remedies are arranged, which also deal with diarrhea in a natural way. Pregnant women should avoid eating fat and sugar as much as possible.

Other foods that could irritate the intestinal tract should also be eliminated from the menu. In addition to coffee and tea , this also includes lemonade, milk, butter, yoghurt and chili. Instead, pregnant women should drink a lot and make sure that the body’s salt storage is filled up. In general, care must be taken to ensure that the body is supplied with sufficient minerals and nutrients so that complaints do not occur.

outlook and prognosis

The chances of recovery from diarrhea during pregnancy are very good. In most cases, the diarrhea will go away completely within a few weeks as the pregnancy progresses without additional support. At the latest after the birth of the offspring and the hormonal change, there is an automatic reduction in the symptoms.

Expectant mothers often change their diet, so that diarrhea symptoms can increase at the beginning of pregnancy. In addition, there are natural changes in the metabolic system , so that the organism has to adapt to current needs and changed processes several times over a period of time. Depending on the intensity of the change, the symptoms can last for several weeks or months. Only in rare cases do they last unabated throughout the entire pregnancy. As soon as the organism and in particular the digestive tract has gotten used to the new food and the production of the body’s own enzymes, the symptoms are alleviated.

If the diarrhea is caused by fear and excitement, it will last until the mother-to-be has developed coping mechanisms to successfully master the current situation. Once the excitement or stress is over, spontaneous healing occurs and the diarrhea is gone. In the case of colds, the symptoms are also alleviated as soon as the organism has sufficient defenses.

prevention

Mentioned treatment measures are also recommended to prevent diarrhea during pregnancy. In addition, it makes sense to do a lot of sport and to get more information from your family doctor about the possible causes and their prevention. During pregnancy, the body is in a state of emergency and needs a lot of attention.

Not only exercise and nutrition are important, but also rest. Above all, stress should be avoided, as it quickly leads to gastrointestinal problems and thus to diarrhea. Pregnant women should also make sure that the digestive tract remains healthy and is not irritated if possible. Gentle baths with homeopathic oils and other remedies can be used as well as special ointments and other preparations. However, it is difficult to completely avoid diarrhea during pregnancy.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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