How Diarrhea Happens During Pregnancy
Stomach and digestive issues are common during pregnancy. you’ll hear plenty about nausea and constipation, but less about diarrhea. Although it’s going to not get as much attention, diarrhea is another gastrointestinal issue that pregnant women can face.
Some women consider diarrhea an early sign of pregnancy. It’s true that hormone changes around the time of conception can cause stomach issues and even cause diarrhea. However, breast tenderness and pain, fatigue, and nausea are much more common symptoms of early pregnancy.
Diarrhea during late pregnancy could also be a sign that delivery is getting closer. Some women report diarrhea, heartburn, or nausea and vomiting right before they are going into labor. Of course, women get diarrhea for several reasons, and it can develop at any time during pregnancy-not just at the start or the end.
Causes
Diarrhea during pregnancy may result from conditions as diverse as hormones to changes in your diet to a stomach virus. you would possibly experience diarrhea due to:
Body changes:
In pregnancy, you’ll experience changes in your hormones and your body. These can affect your stomach and alimentary canal, resulting in nausea and vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea.
Diet:
Pregnancy might inspire you to eat healthier. Sometimes a sudden change to more nutritious, fiber-rich foods can cause a change in bowel movements, too. Give your body a touch time to adjust if you go from burgers and fries to fruits and salads all directly.
Prenatal vitamins:
There are many various brands of prenatal vitamins. Some are more likely to cause constipation, and a few can cause looser stools. If you think that you’re having diarrhea due to your vitamin, ask your doctor and invite a recommendation for an additional brand.
Diarrhea also can develop from something that has nothing to try to do with pregnancy, such as:
Food poisoning
Health issues like Celiac disease, or hyperthyroidism
Illness from an epidemic or bacteria
Taking medication like antibiotics
Travel
Symptoms
Diarrhea is when you have bowel movements more often and looser in consistency than you’d normally have. Here’s what to look for:
Bloating
Cramping
Stomach pain
The feeling of getting to run to the bathroom
Two or more watery or loose bowel movements during a day (24 hours)
Treatment
While you’re pregnant, you’ll experience nausea or heartburn. Like these, diarrhea is another uncomfortable inconvenience you’ll need to get through. These treatments may help.
Hydrate Your Body
It is important to stay hydrated, especially when you’re pregnant. Diarrhea removes water from your body, so drink many fluids, especially water. Since you furthermore may lose electrolytes through diarrhea, other liquids, like chicken or vegetable broth and electrolyte replacement solutions, are helpful. Avoid dairy, sugary drinks, coffee, tea, and energy drinks, since they will make diarrhea worse.
Watch Your Diet
Eating foods that are easy to digest and don’t irritate or stimulate the stomach and digestive tract. A diet like (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) plus the nutrients in other easy-to-digest foods (potatoes, chicken and vegetable soup, lean meats) can help until diarrhea has passed. stay away from fried, spicy, and high-fat foods.
Give It Time
Diarrhea often clears up on its own. If you’ve got mild diarrhea with no other symptoms (fever, pain, cramping), you’ll wait a couple of days to ascertain if goes away. Diarrhea that results from a stomach bug or food issue will often getaway on its own.
Keep It Clean
Loose stools can make it easier for the bacteria within the colon to visit the urinary tract and cause an infection (UTI). Cleanliness can prevent the spread of germs to other parts of your body and people. After using the toilet, always wipe from front to back and alter the paper before wiping again. you’ll also want to stay your undergarments clean and wash your hands frequently.
Avoid anti-diarrhea medication
Stay away from OTC medications to treat diarrhea. Not all over-the-counter medications are safe for pregnant ladies. If it’s necessary, your doctor will recommend or prescribe medication for you supported the severity of your symptoms.
Is It Dangerous?
Diarrhea is often mild and passes quickly, or it is often more serious. The loss of water through your bowels can cause dehydration, which may be especially harmful during pregnancy. So to prevent diarrhea from becoming dangerous, make certain to drink many water and other fluids.
Be aware of the symptoms of dehydration:
Dry mouth
Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or as if you’ll faint
Headache
Urinating less often
Urine that features a strong smell
Urine that’s very dark yellow or orange