Medicine for diarrhea during pregnancy. Diarrhea during pregnancy? What to do? Diarrhea in early pregnancy. How diarrhea can harm a pregnant woman

Pregnancy is considered the happiest time in the life of any woman. The expectant mother buys a dowry and receives an increased portion of attention from loved ones. Nevertheless, this period is often overshadowed by unpleasant surprises: toxicosis, bad mood, bowel disorders. Many drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy, so if diarrhea occurs during pregnancy, the question of how to treat it can confuse even medical professionals.

Causes of diarrhea in pregnant women

Every person has loose stools from time to time. Diarrhea is said to occur if the stool is watery, has an unpleasant odor, an atypical color and impurities, and the frequency of bowel movements increases to 5 or more times a day. In this case, the urge to defecate is accompanied by abdominal pain, which is difficult to control.

A pregnant woman has slightly different criteria. Diarrhea is loose stool that occurs more than 3 times and is accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the abdominal area.

The cause of diarrhea during pregnancy can be natural changes in the female body or pathological processes. Sometimes an upset stomach appears before a woman finds out she is pregnant due to hormonal changes.

Diarrhea can be caused by:

altered taste preferences and speed of digestion;
taking vitamin complexes;
natural cleansing of the body before childbirth;
increased load on the intestines in the third trimester.

During pregnancy, immunity decreases, so a woman becomes susceptible to any infections. Expectant mothers constantly experience strong emotions and are exposed to stress; diarrhea sometimes occurs due to nervousness.

Specifics of symptoms of diarrhea in a pregnant woman

Diarrhea in pregnant women can be accompanied by the same symptoms as in others, but it also has features:

Is dehydration dangerous for women and children? Vitamins are washed out of the body along with feces, which affects both the development of the fetus and the condition of the expectant mother.

Diarrhea in pregnant women should be stopped as early as possible to avoid complications.

Features of therapy

Treatment of pregnant women with diarrhea has some features.

Firstly, many popular remedies for diarrhea are contraindicated for expectant mothers (especially in the early stages), since they can penetrate the baby’s circulatory system through the placenta.
Secondly, even traditional methods that are safe for others can cause harm. Ambiguous reactions may occur in the form of allergies, swelling due to hormonal changes and weakened immunity.

Any treatment for diarrhea in pregnant women is prescribed only by a doctor after determining the cause of bowel dysfunction and taking into account all the risks.

Drug treatment

Treatment tactics, what pregnant women can use for diarrhea - it all depends on the cause of the disorder. The decision is made by the doctor after examination and conversation with the woman. The expectant mother should report:

what you ate in the last 24 hours;
what are the symptoms?
what medications (vitamins, medications) she takes;
whether there were emotional turmoil.

Based on these data, it is possible to establish a diagnosis and determine treatment tactics. If necessary, additional laboratory tests are carried out.

So, how can diarrhea during pregnancy be treated? List of approved medications for pregnant women with diarrhea:

Sorbents (Smecta, activated carbon, Enterosgel). These drugs have virtually no contraindications, do not penetrate into the blood, so they can be taken at any time. The sorbent absorbs toxins and other substances, so you need to maintain an interval of 1–2 hours between it and other medications so as not to reduce their effectiveness.
Antispasmodics (No-shpa, Papaverine) are prescribed to eliminate uncontrolled contractions of the abdominal organs.
In the third trimester, you are already allowed to take drugs that stop diarrhea: Loperamide, Imodium.
Nifuroxazide is an effective antimicrobial agent that quickly relieves diarrhea and associated symptoms.
Probiotics to restore microflora: Hilak Forte, Linex.

Antibiotics are a last resort. They are prescribed for severe infections that threaten the life of a pregnant woman.

Folk remedies for diarrhea

It is almost impossible to cure acute diarrhea using traditional medicine methods in a pregnant woman due to the low concentration of active substances in them. However, for prolonged alimentary diarrhea, their use is effective.

Consolidation of feces will occur gradually, in parallel with the normalization of the entire digestive tract.

A pregnant woman with loose stools can take:

Starch water. To prepare the medicine, dissolve 1 tablespoon of potato starch in 100 ml of liquid.
Rice broth. Boil two tablespoons of cereal for 30–40 minutes in half a liter of water, grind, cool and drink.
Blueberry jelly, which should be drunk after meals.
Infusion of pomegranate peels (1 tablespoon per glass of boiling water).

If stool disorder is caused by psycho-emotional factors, mint tea taken several times a day will help.

Medicinal herbs can provoke allergic reactions. St. John's wort, oak bark, cinquefoil, wormwood and thyme are relatively safe.

Nutrition and prevention of stool disorders

When dealing with diarrhea in a pregnant woman, the main focus should be on replenishing lost fluids and nutrients needed by the unborn baby.

After each bowel movement, you need to drink about a glass of clean water, weak tea or still mineral water. It is better to abstain from fruit juices and milk so as not to provoke intestinal irritation.

Usually, with diarrhea, it is recommended to refuse food on the first day and follow a diet for several days. It is important for the expectant mother to remember about the child, so her diet should contain light protein (boiled chicken or veal), vegetables and fruits, except apricots, grapes, cucumbers and cabbage.

Diarrhea in the first and last trimester is dangerous due to the termination of pregnancy and the development of defects in the fetus, so a pregnant woman should carefully monitor hygiene and be more restrained in her food requirements. Even if you really want to, you shouldn’t buy food on the street, imported fruits, or combine products that are known to be dangerous. You should only eat freshly prepared food in small portions.

If diarrhea does occur, you should take activated charcoal or Smecta as first aid. If the stool does not return to normal after 2-3 days, you should consult a gynecologist.

Every person has experienced diarrhea at least once in their life. Diarrhea is loose and watery stool that can be frequent or several times a day. Diarrhea is accompanied by pain in the stomach, and often even fever. This problem is easy to deal with if there are no special health recommendations. What to do if you have diarrhea during pregnancy? During this period of life, the expectant mother is prohibited from using many medications, especially in the first trimester. Since their use during pregnancy can harm the development of the fetus. But is diarrhea dangerous during pregnancy? We will find the answer to these and many other questions in this article.

Causes of diarrhea during pregnancy

According to statistics, every person experiences diarrhea 4-5 times a year. This is due to poor diet or viral infection. But also, an integral part of what leads to diarrhea during pregnancy can be hormonal imbalance, and this happens in any case during such a period. Diarrhea comes in various forms of severity:

Acute diarrhea is diarrhea that occurs from various viruses entering the body or poisoning and lasts for several days.
Persistent diarrhea - if diarrhea persists for more than two weeks in a row and does not go away.
Chronic diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts more than a month and is associated with some serious illness.

Any number of reasons, even minor ones, can cause diarrhea during pregnancy. After all, it is during this period of her life that the expectant mother is more exposed to environmental influences than ever before. Changes occur in the body, and all energy is spent on the formation and development of the fetus, the immune system is lowered, and the body reacts sharply to any influences from the external environment. Sometimes the causes of diarrhea may be minor and may not even have any negative effects. For example, exercise for pregnant women could increase gastric motility and, as a result, diarrhea. Or a diet that has now suddenly become rich in vitamins and fiber could also cause stomach irritation. Taking vitamins can cause diarrhea even in the very last stages of pregnancy. Considering that you took vitamins all the time, your stool did not change. The hormonal changes that occur in your body during this position also often cause diarrhea. Diarrhea accompanies different stages of pregnancy and can have different characters and symptoms.

During pregnancy, a woman's nervous system is subject to additional stress and changes occur in it, which can also cause diarrhea. Toxicosis, which every second pregnant woman experiences, can also cause diarrhea. Since toxicosis in itself is poisoning of the body with toxins, and diarrhea and poisoning, as we know, are siblings.

In the last weeks of pregnancy, this is generally a natural reaction of the body to cleanse itself before childbirth, so there is no need to worry. Just go to the maternity hospital and get ready for the start of labor.

Clinical picture of diarrhea during pregnancy

Do not forget that diarrhea during pregnancy is not a disease, but only a symptom of the clinical picture of some disorder or disease. When diarrhea occurs, the following signs may appear that accompany this symptom:

Nausea.
Increase in general body temperature.
Increased gas formation.
Stomach ache.
Chills.
General weakness.
Headache.
Dehydration of the body.

There are a number of signs that if you notice during pregnancy, you should immediately consult a doctor:

mucus with blood appeared in the stool;
diarrhea is accompanied by fever and nausea;
the color of the stool is dark, almost black, and severe dizziness appears (such signs are typical for gastrointestinal diseases and stomach ulcers).

Diarrhea during pregnancy can vary in length and last up to 10 days.

In any case, diarrhea during pregnancy is a signal from the body about some deviation from the norm, which means you should definitely consult a specialist.

Why is diarrhea dangerous in the early stages of pregnancy?

Diarrhea in early pregnancy is very dangerous. This may be the entry of viruses or bacteria into the body, which will undoubtedly reach the fetus. You need to immediately contact specialists and follow all the rules that will be recommended and prescribed to you.

This period of pregnancy is the most dangerous and diarrhea can block the access of vitamins to the fetus, dehydration of the expectant mother’s body and, as a result, intoxication. With diarrhea, the uterus will contract spontaneously. This will lead to abnormal development of the fetus in the early stages or even miscarriage.

The first signs of dehydration should indicate that you immediately need to call an ambulance:

constant desire to drink;
dry mouth;
dizziness, general weakness of this body;
urine is very dark in color;
temperature increase.

How dangerous diarrhea is at this stage can be found out only by understanding the reason that caused the diarrhea. If this is early toxicosis, then the diarrhea will soon pass and will not cause much harm to the body. You just have to follow all the doctor’s recommendations.

Most pills are prohibited from being taken in the first trimester of pregnancy, which means that diarrhea during pregnancy can only be treated under the supervision of a doctor.

Why is diarrhea dangerous at 30 weeks of pregnancy?

Diarrhea at 30 weeks of pregnancy does not necessarily signal any viral disease. Often pregnant women develop late toxicosis at this stage. And this includes nausea and weakness and diarrhea. The 30th week of pregnancy is a turning point and you need to be extremely careful. If diarrhea appears during this period, you should consult a doctor immediately.

With natural urges, the uterus begins to contract and there may be a threat of premature birth. And the baby simply cannot survive at this time.

In addition, at 30 weeks dehydration is also dangerous, which simply must be avoided. At 30 weeks, dehydration can cause thrombosis, and this is extremely dangerous.

The good thing is that at week 30 you are allowed to take some pills and the doctor will definitely prescribe you something that can quickly help your body.

Why is diarrhea dangerous in the last stages of pregnancy?

From 35 to 40 weeks, diarrhea may indicate that labor has begun. Moreover, at 35, 36, 37 weeks this is quite dangerous, since the baby will be born premature and weak. It is imperative to monitor your diet and limit visits to public places where viral diseases can occur. Weeks 35, 36, 37 are also dangerous because the mother’s body is already quite tired from pregnancy, the fetus is already large and puts pressure on the internal organs. This often worsens the motility of the gastrointestinal tract and, as a consequence, the pregnant woman experiences constipation or diarrhea.

35, 36, 37 weeks are also dangerous because the expectant mother begins to move little and rapid dehydration occurs with diarrhea. And the fetus already needs nutrients in large quantities. The body of a dehydrated mother cannot cope with such functions and starvation of the fetus occurs. Thrombosis, which can occur at 35, 36, 37, is also dangerous.

If diarrhea occurs at 38, 39, 40 weeks of pregnancy and is accompanied by cramping pain, this means it’s time to go to the maternity hospital. In nature, everything is provided for and at 38, 39, 40 weeks before childbirth, the body simply cleanses itself. Doctors calmly respond to diarrhea during this period.

In general, diarrhea in late pregnancy is no longer so dangerous. Only if severe poisoning of the body occurs and taxa can reach the fetus along with nutrients. In mild cases, drug treatment is already allowed. And diarrhea itself at 38, 39, 40 weeks is no longer so terrible and will go away as quickly as it started. The main thing is to consult a doctor in time and get the necessary recommendations.

Treatment of diarrhea during pregnancy

Treating diarrhea during pregnancy on your own with pills is extremely dangerous. After all, such treatment can cause harm not only to yourself, but also to the fetus and its development.

The attending physician will definitely prescribe exactly those pills that will not be dangerous at your stage of pregnancy. Do not forget that medications are prohibited before the 30th week of pregnancy.

The specialist will find out the cause of diarrhea, because treatment of diarrhea itself during pregnancy is useless without eliminating the reason why it appeared.

If diarrhea during pregnancy is mild, then it is best to treat it with folk remedies. In this case, try to go on a special diet and drink more. Let your gastrointestinal tract rest and recover.

Special diet

If you follow a special diet, you should exclude all dairy products, spicy, salty, fatty, fried, sour. You need to follow this diet for no more than one day. Because the baby inside you needs nutrients.

You can start the second day with light oatmeal or rice porridge in water without salt and sugar. You can drink strong tea and eat dry crackers or special diet bread. It is good to eat grated carrots and apples with a spoonful of olive oil.

It is important not to consume natural dairy products. But don’t forget about yoghurts, which on such days will simply save the body and help the stomach function. Since natural yogurt contains bifido- and lactobacteria, which are so necessary for the flora of a weakened gastrointestinal tract.

In the future, you should not eat milk and dried fruits, as well as spicy and fatty foods. Try eating only porridge for the rest of the week and give your body a relief.

It is important that all food is at room temperature. Too hot or cold food irritates the acidic environment of the stomach, and digestion worsens.

During such a diet, it is good to drink herbal infusions of mint, lemon balm, and chamomile.

Medications

At 30, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 weeks, the use of medications is already allowed. Your doctor may prescribe one of the following medications for you.

Laperamide is a drug that will stop diarrhea, but it must be taken strictly according to the instructions, especially in this situation.

Nifuroxazide - I prescribe it for the most severe cases of diarrhea during pregnancy. The drug will relieve diarrhea and normalize gastrointestinal motility.

It is possible that if the diarrhea is due to an infectious disease, antibiotics will be prescribed. But you need to take such priors during pregnancy strictly under the supervision of a doctor. And if it is possible to carry out treatment without them, then refuse altogether. Antibiotics cause dysbiosis not only in the pregnant woman herself, but also in the child during childbirth.

If diarrhea is the cause of a nervous system disorder during pregnancy, then the doctor will prescribe an infusion of motherwort, valerian, mint, or passionflower. Take advertised sedatives during pregnancy is simply prohibited. Especially if you do not know the composition of this drug.

It is good to drink diluted powder of Gudron or Laktosol, Trisol during diarrhea. These priors will help quickly restore the water-salt balance in the body and prevent dehydration. In addition to such priories, you need to drink as much water as possible.

In case of intoxication, adsorbent drugs will most likely be prescribed. For example, Enterasgel, Enterodes.

Activated carbon is a good adsorbent and quite safe during pregnancy. Now it is also sold in a purified version, the so-called “white coal”. It is safe for a pregnant woman and will help remove all substances that cause intoxication from the gastrointestinal tract.

Grandmother's remedies for diarrhea during pregnancy

It is best to treat diarrhea during pregnancy with herbs and infusions. But even here you need to be very careful. Sometimes even the most innocent herbs in the wrong proportions can cause irreparable harm to the body.

Cranberry and lingonberry jelly are good for diarrhea. You need to make it yourself, and not buy ready-made semi-finished products. This way you will avoid unnecessary chemicals and dyes getting into your body. Take cranberries or lingonberries and pour boiling water over them. Mash all the berries properly with a masher and pour the resulting solution through a sieve. Then add a tablespoon of potato starch to this fruit drink and cook over low heat, stirring all the time. For taste, you can add a teaspoon of honey.

Pomegranate peel is a good remedy for diarrhea. Take the peel of one pomegranate and wash it well. Now place a liter jar on the floor and fill it with boiling water. Cover with a saucer and a warm cloth, let the broth sit for 2-3 hours. You need to take this infusion all day, half a cup instead of tea.

Tea made from mint and lemon balm leaves. Take a spoonful of mint, a spoonful of lemon balm and pour half a liter of boiling water over it all. Let it brew for 2 hours and drink instead of tea. This decoction can not only relieve diarrhea, but also calm the nervous system.

You can also learn about methods of treating diarrhea in pregnant women by watching this video:

Recovery from diarrhea

A pregnant woman should understand that the body already bears a double load during pregnancy, which means you need to take care and not overwork it. To do this, it is enough to follow a balanced diet and try not to consume excess salt, hot spices, smoked and fatty foods.

In any case, a specialist will tell you how to properly protect your body after a shock and give you some advice. Remember, not only your health, but also the health of your unborn child depends on the correct observance of these rules.

Diarrhea is a condition in which frequent bowel movements occur. In the medical community, this pathology is usually called diarrhea. Not a single person on the planet is immune from diarrhea, and expectant mothers are no exception. Why does diarrhea occur in pregnant women?

Physiological causes of diarrhea

The only period in which diarrhea is normal is the last days before the upcoming birth. At this time, the woman’s body is actively freeing itself from everything unnecessary. Intestinal motility increases, stool softens, and short-term diarrhea develops. Some women experience diarrhea a day before the baby is born, while others develop loose stools 3-5 days later. Each of these options is considered the norm.

Diarrhea before childbirth is not accompanied by vomiting. The stool becomes mushy, but not watery, without admixtures of pus and blood. Diarrhea occurs several times a day, but dehydration does not occur. There may be mild soreness around the navel. The woman's general condition does not suffer. There is a decrease in appetite.

Diarrhea before childbirth is considered normal and indicates the body is successfully preparing for the upcoming event. There is no need to panic. If diarrhea develops, you should drink more and also avoid fried, spicy and other heavy foods. No special treatment is provided.

Pathological causes of diarrhea

At any stage of pregnancy, the following conditions can cause the development of diarrhea:

Food poisoning

Banal food poisoning is a problem that any pregnant woman can face. The disease awaits expectant mothers at any stage, from conception to childbirth. The cause of poisoning can be the consumption of low-quality food, as well as products that have expired. As a result, pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms enter the woman’s body, and all the main symptoms of the disease develop.

It is not so difficult to distinguish food poisoning from other diseases. The disease begins acutely a few hours after eating low-quality food. Nausea and repeated vomiting, loose stools up to 15 times a day occur. Diarrhea is often accompanied by painful sensations around the navel and in the epigastric region. With some toxic infections, body temperature rises.

The general condition of a pregnant woman is usually impaired. There is weakness, loss of appetite, pale skin. The severity of symptoms will depend on the degree of dehydration. In severe cases, decreased blood pressure, cold sweat, cyanosis of the extremities and loss of consciousness are possible.

Intestinal infections such as typhoid fever, cholera and dysentery deserve special attention. These diseases are quite rare, but no expectant mother can be completely protected from them. Each of the dangerous infections has its own characteristic features and course. If any of these diseases is suspected, a pregnant woman should be immediately taken to the hospital.

Chronic diseases of the digestive tract

Irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, enterocolitis - all of these diseases can cause the development of diarrhea in pregnant women. Diarrhea can also be caused by stomach diseases, as a result of which the production of hydrochloric acid is disrupted. In some cases, pathological processes in the pancreas lead to diarrhea. In many of these diseases, enzyme production is disrupted, which significantly complicates digestion and causes diarrhea.

Diarrhea due to diseases of the stomach and intestines is chronic. Liquid and pasty stools are accompanied by the following symptoms:

moderate pain in the epigastrium and around the navel;
heartburn;
belching;
bloating;
flatulence.

The problem usually occurs long before the baby is conceived. A developing pregnancy worsens the condition of the expectant mother and leads to an exacerbation of diseases of the digestive tract. The disease can make itself felt in the very early stages, disrupting the normal course of pregnancy. Against the background of such diseases, toxicosis in the first trimester is especially difficult and can persist for quite a long time.

Other chronic diseases

Not only diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can provoke the development of diarrhea. The cause of diarrhea can be autoimmune diseases, as well as metabolic disorders. This pathology most often manifests itself long before pregnancy. Another option is possible, when bearing a child becomes a trigger for the development of the disease. Treatment of diarrhea is carried out by a specialized specialist after a complete examination of the patient.

Errors in nutrition

Many pregnant women have the sin of successfully combining incompatible products with each other. Unthinkable food combinations lead to flatulence, bloating and diarrhea. The general condition of the expectant mother is not affected. Vomiting and increased body temperature are not typical.

Errors in diet most often occur in the early stages of pregnancy. Toxicosis and aversion to familiar food force women to look for different ways to satisfy their hunger. As a result, the digestive tract suffers, unable to cope with the increased load. Overeating can also lead to diarrhea.

Treatment of diarrhea in case of dietary violations is not required. Such diarrhea rarely lasts more than 2 hours and does not lead to dehydration. All you need is to reconsider your diet and give up harmful and heavy foods. When you switch to a healthy diet, problems with stool disappear on their own within a few days.

Food allergies

A reaction to allergens in the form of stool loss is more typical for children, however, pregnant women can also suffer from this disease. The disease occurs in expectant mothers with a certain hereditary predisposition to allergies. The cause of diarrhea is the consumption of various allergenic foods. Diarrhea is often accompanied by a skin rash and itching. Sorbents and antihistamines are used for treatment.

Taking medications

It's no secret that during pregnancy a woman is prescribed a large number of medications. Not all of them are well tolerated by the expectant mother. In some cases, taking medications can cause loose stools and abdominal pain. After discontinuation of the drug, the digestive tract continues to function normally.

Dangerous symptoms of diarrhea

Diarrhea during pregnancy is not always a reason to see a doctor. Many women prefer to be treated at home with all available means. This is acceptable for mild forms of food poisoning or diarrhea as a result of errors in diet. In other cases, you must see a doctor and undergo the prescribed examination.

Situations in which medical attention is needed immediately:

loose stool mixed with blood and pus (green);
dark, tarry stools;
repeated vomiting or vomiting blood;
severe abdominal pain;
diarrhea lasting more than a day without effect from therapy;
high body temperature;
confusion;
convulsions;
signs of impending miscarriage or premature birth (pain in the lower abdomen, uterine hypertonicity, bleeding from the genital tract).

If any of these symptoms appear, you need to call a local doctor or an ambulance team to your home.

Why is diarrhea dangerous in pregnant women?

Problem #1. Dehydration

Long-term diarrhea can cause dehydration. The risk of this condition increases with repeated vomiting. When dehydrated, the body loses fluid and mineral salts, which leads to a significant deterioration in the well-being of the expectant mother and her baby. It is very important to recognize the signs of dehydration in time and take all measures to eliminate it.

Symptoms of lack of fluid due to diarrhea:

strong thirst;
severe dry mouth;
dry skin and mucous membranes;
pallor or cyanosis of the skin;
rare urination;
darkening of urine color;
tachycardia;
decrease in blood pressure below 100/60 mmHg. st;
loss of consciousness;
convulsions.

Most often, dehydration develops against the background of severe food poisoning. With some toxic infections, loss of fluid and salts can occur quite quickly. If help is not provided in time, dehydration can cause serious complications and even death of a pregnant woman.

Problem #2. Deficiency of mineral salts

This condition usually develops against the background of chronic diarrhea. Constant diarrhea due to diseases of the digestive tract leads to a pronounced deficiency of mineral salts in a woman’s body. There is a lack of vitamins and other nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of all organs. As a result, the baby does not receive enough important microelements. Fetal development is disrupted and weight gain is delayed. In the early stages, a deficiency of mineral salts can cause developmental defects.

Problem #3. Threat of miscarriage

Severe diarrhea and abdominal pain lead to increased uterine tone. Short-term hypertonicity will not cause harm, but can lead to painful sensations in the area of the pubis and sacrum. In severe cases of the disease, increased myometrial tone provokes miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy. In the later stages, premature labor may occur.

Recognizing the threat of miscarriage with ongoing diarrhea is not so easy. Pain in the lower abdomen often goes unnoticed against the background of other symptoms. The only clear reason to see a doctor is the appearance of bloody discharge from the genital tract. In such a situation, help should be provided to the woman immediately. With timely treatment, there is a high chance of maintaining pregnancy and a successful outcome of the disease.

What to do if diarrhea develops?

Treatment for diarrhea in pregnant women will depend on the cause of the disease. In case of food poisoning and risk of dehydration, the following measures are taken:

Replenishment of fluid losses. During diarrhea, the body loses a large amount of fluid, so it is important to restore its volume as quickly as possible. Special saline solutions (Regidron, Trisol) will best cope with this task. If you don’t have this useful drug on hand, you can drink unsweetened tea or plain clean water. You should focus on the volumes of fluid removed. On average you should drink per hour? a glass of saline solution, tea or water.
Sorbents. In acute diarrhea, it is important not only to replenish fluid loss, but also to prevent further progression of the disease. Of the drugs allowed during pregnancy, you can use activated carbon, Smecta or Polysorb. Enterosorbents, entering the intestinal lumen, remove all toxins and other dangerous substances from it. After using sorbents, diarrhea is reduced, intoxication is reduced and the functionality of the digestive tract is restored. Any other drugs should be used at intervals of 2 hours before or after using enterosorbents.

Specific medications (antibiotics and other drugs) are used in special cases and only as prescribed by a doctor. After all the symptoms of the disease have subsided, the doctor may also recommend taking medications that restore the functioning of the digestive tract. The best way to cope with this task is with drugs containing a large number of beneficial lactobacilli.

Diet is of great importance in the treatment of diarrhea and diarrhea. During the first day of acute diarrhea, you should not eat. On the second day, you can eat white bread crackers and unsweetened tea. Subsequently, the diet is expanded until the normal diet is completely restored. At the same time, in the first days all fried, spicy and salty foods, animal fats and whole milk are prohibited. With a mild course of the disease, the return to normal nutrition can be accelerated.

Chronic diarrhea is treated by a gastroenterologist. If diarrhea is caused by diseases outside the digestive tract, help from other specialists may be required. Therapy is always prescribed taking into account the timing of pregnancy and the severity of the condition of the expectant mother. All drugs used for treatment must be safe for the fetus and not have a negative effect on the course of pregnancy and upcoming birth.

Prevention

The following recommendations will help prevent the development of diarrhea during pregnancy:

Follow the rules of personal hygiene. Simply washing your hands before eating will reduce the risk of food poisoning several times.
Do not eat products that have expired.
Do not eat questionable foods.
Avoid visiting little-known restaurants and cafes.
Watch your diet and avoid overeating.
Avoid foods that can cause allergies.
Treat chronic diseases of the digestive tract (it is better to do this before pregnancy).
Contact your doctor promptly if you notice the first signs of diarrhea or other digestive problems.

Every person has encountered this at least once. Loose stools, pain and gurgling in the abdomen cause a lot of discomfort. However, after a couple of days, a healthy person, in the absence of complications and the disappearance of symptoms, will decide that he ate something wrong and will forget about everything. If we are talking about a woman carrying a child, then the level of anxiety increases significantly.

Dehydration can lead to premature birth or harm the baby. Therefore, it is very important to know how to stop diarrhea during pregnancy, what to do and how to avoid it. First, let's find out why diarrhea occurs in pregnant women:

Toxicosis. We are used to thinking that early toxicosis (before 12 weeks) is expressed only in nausea, but it may well be accompanied by diarrhea. In this case, the woman will not feel severe pain. The stool will simply become faster and thinner, without foreign inclusions, without changing color or increasing in volume. In this case, there is no need to worry, just eat right and follow a drinking regime.
Doctors prescribe vitamins to all pregnant women, without exception. Courses can be interrupted and adjusted, but everyone takes vitamins. This is explained by the fact that during this period the body especially needs additional vitamins and microelements. However, he may react to them unexpectedly. If you notice that diarrhea begins after taking the pill, stop taking it and contact your doctor.
Hormones. Hormonal changes also affect intestinal function. In the early stages this is alarming, but just before birth it is normal. self-cleaning.
Growing uterus. The uterus is constantly enlarging and putting pressure on other organs. Sometimes this provokes various problems such as diarrhea, cholecystitis and others. It is necessary to monitor the color of stool and undergo regular tests to monitor the functioning of internal organs.
We cannot exclude the fact that pathogenic bacteria and viruses entered the woman’s body, which caused diarrhea. This condition is dangerous for the fetus. Therefore, in case of severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or fever, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Nutrition. The presence of foods that have a laxative effect can also cause diarrhea. For example, prunes, which are eaten for anemia, fruits, berries. At the same time, it will not be too frequent and strong.

How to treat diarrhea during pregnancy?

Under no circumstances should you self-medicate or take any medications or folk remedies without the knowledge of your doctor. Most medications are prohibited for pregnant women. This is especially true in the early stages. There is no need to think that drinking plenty of water weakens and thins the stool. If you have diarrhea, you need to drink more than usual to avoid dangerous dehydration. You can take Smecta and Regidron. The first removes toxins, and the second restores water balance in the body. You need to take even such harmless drugs after first studying the instructions and following the dosage. If you have mild diarrhea, you can do without them altogether.

Your doctor can recommend safe folk remedies that will help you cope with diarrhea without causing allergies. For example, you can dilute 1 teaspoon of starch in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it at a time. This recipe will help stop stool liquefaction. However, if you experience abdominal pain and continued bouts of diarrhea, you should consult a doctor.

You can drink a decoction of pomegranate peel. It strengthens and does not harm the body. You can drink it not in its pure form, but add it to tea. Blackberry leaves have the same property.
Walnut leaves are used as an astringent for diarrhea. They contain a lot of vitamins. They even help stop bleeding from stomach ulcers.
Sometimes diarrhea is a consequence of stress and nervous tension. If this is the case, the pregnant woman needs to take a sedative, which the doctor will prescribe (mint decoction, motherwort tablets, etc.). You should not take such drugs without a doctor’s recommendation; some herbs included in sedatives increase the tone of the uterus and can cause a miscarriage.
It is not prohibited during pregnancy, but you should consult your doctor before taking it. This drug quickly stops diarrhea, but can cause constipation if the dosage is overdone.

It is important to distinguish between diarrhea caused by pregnancy itself and a condition dangerous to the body. In the second case, diarrhea is repeated frequently, the stool is very liquid, the consistency of water resembles, and the woman experiences abdominal pain, cramps, and nausea.

Why is diarrhea dangerous during pregnancy?

Dehydration - danger of diarrhea!

How dangerous diarrhea is for the fetus and the health of the woman herself can only be judged by considering each specific case. Diarrhea may not be dangerous at all if it is a manifestation of toxicosis and does not cause pain or occurs immediately before childbirth. Mild and infrequent diarrhea should not be a cause for concern. But if bacteria are also the cause of diarrhea, this can cause significant harm to the child, who also receives some toxins through the blood. For this reason, a pregnant woman is advised to avoid dangerous foods such as mushrooms, rolls with raw fish, etc.

The most dangerous thing that can happen with diarrhea is dehydration. With prolonged diarrhea, the body loses a large amount of moisture. Diarrhea that occurs more than 5 times a day is considered dangerous. With such a loss of water, the amount of vitamins and microelements in the body is significantly reduced, which affects the development and condition of the child. Severe dehydration can lead to miscarriage or serious birth defects. How do you know if dehydration has occurred? First, you need to count how many times a woman went to the toilet per day. Secondly, watch your urination. When dehydrated, the urge to urinate disappears altogether or is very rare, and the urine darkens. A pregnant woman is constantly thirsty, feels dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, and weakness. It is urgent to stop the loss of fluid and begin to replenish it with the help of Regidron.

The danger of diarrhea also depends on its severity and duration. One day of diarrhea will not cause significant harm to the body. If diarrhea lasts for about two weeks, serious treatment should be taken. Most often, such prolonged diarrhea is caused by bacteria that are dangerous for the child. Diarrhea for more than two weeks is considered persistent and especially dangerous. A pregnant woman needs to be examined and the cause identified. Chronic diarrhea lasts more than a month. In this case, it is usually not bacteria that are to blame, but intestinal diseases, such as lazy bowel syndrome, inflammation, and colitis.

Diet and prevention

Diarrhea during pregnancy is a reason to seek medical help

Usually, when you have diarrhea, it is recommended not to eat at all, but only drink. However, fasting may not be beneficial for a pregnant woman. You can eat. They are nutritious and at the same time replenish the lack of fluid in the body. When the first symptoms subside, you can add crackers to the broth. Unleavened porridges are also healthy. Especially oatmeal and rice. They normalize intestinal function, rice strengthens and helps stop loose stools. Sometimes it is even recommended to drink rice water for diarrhea. It envelops the walls of the stomach and helps relieve inflammation.

If you have diarrhea, you should limit the consumption of meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as anything that enhances the processes of fermentation and gas formation. Fatty, fried, salty and spicy foods are harmful for pregnant women. Even if there is no diarrhea, all of the above can provoke it. And hot spices actually cause contraction of the uterine muscles. Pregnant women who have already encountered the troubles of diarrhea will try to avoid this phenomenon in the future. To do this you need to follow a few simple rules:

Wash your hands as often as possible: after visiting the street, public transport, the toilet, before eating and preparing food.
Take prenatal vitamins recommended by your doctor. They will strengthen the body and normalize the functioning of internal organs.
Eat properly. You need to eat only fresh, natural foods, forget about chips, fast food, hot sauces, fatty meats, soda, and alcohol.
Avoid visiting restaurants and cafes. Even your favorite cafe can let you down, because you cannot know how clean the kitchen there is and whether sanitary standards are observed. Try to cook at home from fresh ingredients and avoid buying pies and shawarma on the street from dubious stalls.

A pregnant woman should not drink carbonated drinks, powdered juices, or coffee. These drinks should be avoided even if there is no diarrhea.

Safety rules will help you avoid, which can lead to very unpleasant consequences for mother and child.

What to do if you have diarrhea? This video will teach you not to panic:

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Diarrhea is an unpleasant phenomenon in any condition. And what can we say about a pregnant woman? And what to do if it “appeared” inopportunely? However, by the way, such conditions never exist.

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea, or, as it is commonly called, diarrhea, is manifested by frequent bowel movements. It occurs when stool passes quickly through the large intestine. There can be many reasons for this phenomenon, and we will definitely talk about it.

The character of stool with diarrhea usually changes. It may become mushy, foamy, and watery. In addition, it may contain blood or mucus. Odor changes may occur.

Typically, diarrhea does not “come” on its own. It is accompanied by painful sensations both for the intestines and for the entire body as a whole. Pain, bloating, flatulence are faithful companions of diarrhea, causing a lot of inconvenience. If we talk about general sensations for the body, then, first of all, it is worth noting weakness, fever, chills, nausea, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.

What can cause diarrhea in a pregnant woman?

There are quite a few reasons that cause this condition. For example, these are diseases of the large intestine or the entire gastrointestinal tract; damage to individual organs (stomach, pancreas) is also possible. Sometimes diarrhea is caused by general diseases. But the listed conditions are not a complete list of possible causes. For example, during pregnancy, diarrhea can occur as a result of complex or various local local poisonings. Right now, a woman’s body is characterized by increased sensitivity to food toxins, regardless of their nature: bacterial or chemical. Moreover, functional disorders of the nervous system, the presence and insufficiency of enzyme production can also cause this condition. Sometimes during pregnancy, diarrhea can occur. In some cases, diarrhea in pregnant women is not dangerous. On the contrary, it is a “helper” for the body, because in this way it is cleansed before childbirth. Mild diarrhea before an upcoming exercise is an “action” planned by nature, so there is no need to worry. But if its cause is food or other poisoning, the help of a specialist is necessary, since this condition is dangerous for both mother and baby.

How to avoid diarrhea during pregnancy?

Treatment is selected by the doctor based on what caused the diarrhea. After all, diarrhea is only a symptom, and it is not the symptom that needs to be treated, but what caused it.

If the diarrhea is mild and is not accompanied by severe pain, sometimes a special diet is sufficient, excluding fatty, spicy, salty, dairy products, as well as anything that can increase diarrhea. Taking rice water, strong black tea with unleavened crackers or unleavened cookies is effective. On the first day, especially if the diarrhea is severe, it is advised to fast. On the second day, you can allow yourself rice or oatmeal porridge with water without salt and without sugar.

Sometimes the doctor will prescribe adsorbents or other medications. The drug Nifuroxazide effectively combats the manifestations of diarrhea. In a more complex situation, a course may be needed. If the cause of diarrhea is neurogenic, you need to take sedatives. But do not rush to buy an advertised sedative drug. Many of them contain substances that are contraindicated for pregnant women. The most optimal ones during pregnancy are a decoction of motherwort, passionflower or mint.

When treating diarrhea, it is very important to drink a lot, because now the body is losing large amounts of fluid, and this is not good for both the woman and her baby. In addition to plain water and unsweetened tea, it is useful for the expectant mother to drink diluted powder of Regidron, Trisol, Lactosol, and so on. You can take the drugs Enterodes or Enterosgel, which are adsorbents and absorb toxins.

Measures to restore the body after diarrhea

When the “revolution in the stomach” is over, you need to take the necessary measures to allow the exhausted body to recover. Firstly, it is necessary to comply with the requirement of eating fresh-tasting food, without adding salt, sugar or seasonings. Products that have a fixing effect will be useful. Only after a few days can you introduce foods containing fiber into your diet. Contact your doctor and he will give you more precise recommendations based on your situation. In which you find yourself, and also taking into account many individual factors and characteristics of your body.

Especially for- Olga Pavlova