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19 November, 2019

Diarrhea during pregnancy: Causes and Remedies

Hormonal changes, stress and diet changes during pregnancy can lead to digestive issues in women. Experiencing three or more loose bowel movements in one day may indicate diarrhea. This may be common during pregnancy, however, it does not mean that diarrhea is caused because of it.

Other causes of diarrhea during pregnancy may include:

  • Virus
  • Bacteria
  • Stomach Flu
  • Intestinal Parasites
  • Food Poisoning
  • Medications

These are some of the common pregnancy-related causes of diarrhea:

  • Hormonal Changes – During pregnancy, hormones may cause your digestive system to slow down and lead to constipation. The same hormones may also cause speeding up of the digestive system and cause diarrhea.
  • Diet Changes – Women may try several diet changes when they find out that they’re pregnant. This change can lead them to stomach problems and diarrhea.
  • Food Sensitivities – This may be one of the many changes that women experience during pregnancy. Some of the foods that never caused you any problems, may leave you with upset stomach or diarrhea during pregnancy.
  • Prenatal Vitamins – Taking prenatal vitamins is recommended during pregnancy for your overall health, and that of your growing baby. However, some of them may upset your stomach and lead to diarrhea.

Remedies

In most cases, you may not need to take any medication for diarrhea during pregnancy. It usually clears up without any particular treatment. Here are some things that you can do that will help you feel better during pregnancy:

  1. Wait it Out

Diarrhea usually clears up on its own within a few days. This is often the case if diarrhea has been caused due to food poisoning, a bug or virus, or bacteria. It is important to stay hydrated throughout to help ease your symptoms.

  1. Re-evaluate your Medication

Sometimes, prenatal vitamins and other pregnancy medication may be the reason for diarrhea during pregnancy. Your body may not be able to adjust to these medications and may be causing digestive problems. Talk to your doctor about changing your medication if you feel this is the case.

  1. Avoid Foods that cause Trouble

Certain foods can only worsen diarrhea. To avoid this scenario, stay clear of high-fat, fried foods, spicy foods, milk and dairy, and high-fiber foods.

  1. Talk to your Doctor

If diarrhea doesn’t stop after two or three days, see your doctor about it. He will conduct a physical exam and draw blood samples to understand the cause of the diarrhea. Do not take any over-the-counter medication without your doctor’s consultation.

  1. Stay Hydrated

If you’ve experienced diarrhea during pregnancy, it is important to stay hydrated. Watery, loose bowel movements can remove fluids from your body and lead to dehydration. This may cause serious complications in pregnant women. Stay hydrated to replace your lost fluids. Drink lots of water, or juice and broth, to replace lost electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals.

Make it a point to visit your doctor if diarrhea lasts more than two or three days. Our experts at KIMS Cuddles will take your best care if you should experience any digestive problems during pregnancy.

 

*Information shared here is for general purpose. Please take doctors’ advice before taking any decision.

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