There are many early signs of pregnancy like morning sickness, tender breasts. Apart from that, perhaps you have heard that apart from experiencing constipation, pregnant women in the first trimester can also experience loose stools.
Yes, the fact is that even though pregnant women experience constipation more often than defecating, loose stools can still occur during pregnancy. Loose stools during pregnancy are usually not a cause for concern. Possible causes include a stomach virus, medications, or something the pregnant woman ate.
For more details, mothers can see the following causes of frequent diarrhea during early pregnancy!
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Causes of frequent diarrhea during pregnancy in the 1st trimester
Check out the full review below:
1. Hormones
Hormone levels fluctuate during pregnancy. Some hormones affect the way food is digested in the stomach and can slow down the digestive process. While this may cause constipation in some people, others may experience loose stools.
Quoting Medical News Today, one of the changes that can cause diarrhea is an increase in prostaglandin levels. Prostaglandins, such as oxytocin, help stimulate contractions in the uterus but can also increase movement along the digestive tract. If stool passes too quickly through the intestines, it can cause loose stools.
2. Body changes
Throughout pregnancy, the body structure changes and can affect internal organs. For example, when the uterus enlarges to accommodate a growing fetus, this organ can push on parts of the digestive tract, potentially causing changes in bowel movements.
3. Diet, eating pattern
Food tastes often change during pregnancy. Sometimes, these changes can also cause changes in bowel movements. For example, consuming more fiber-rich foods such as grapes and other fruits can have a natural laxative effect (make bowel movements more frequent) and cause loose stools.
4. Pregnancy vitamins
Reported by Verywell Health, vitamins can sometimes cause stomach ache and defecation. If you experience the latter and think prenatal vitamins may be the cause, consult your healthcare provider for recommendations on other brands.
5. Food poisoning
Food poisoning, intestinal parasites, or the common stomach flu may be the cause of a severe bout of stomach ailments during pregnancy. If you suspect this may be happening, contact your doctor immediately so you can be tested and treated.
6. Stress
Experiencing stress and anxiety are real psychological changes in pregnant women. And make no mistake, stress can actually cause diarrhea, Mother. If you feel depressed, anxious or stressed, then seek help from those closest to you, especially your husband and parents.
7. Other health problems
Digestive problems, such as celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis. If you have health problems as mentioned, consult a doctor immediately.
When is diarrhea worth worrying about during pregnancy?
Stomach problems during pregnancy, such as loose stools, morning sickness, and heartburn, can be bothersome, but are not always a cause for concern. However, you need to remember that if your diarrhea continues and becomes diarrhea, it can cause dehydration (loss of water in the body).
Pregnant women should take extra precautions and check with a healthcare provider for symptoms of diarrhea that last for several days. Dehydration has the potential to impact pregnancy and fetal development.
Diarrhea that lasts more than a few weeks may indicate another health condition or a side effect of medication.
How to deal with diarrhea during pregnancy at home
Treating loose stools at home focuses on replacing lost fluids and electrolytes (minerals contained in the blood) to prevent dehydration, which can be a serious problem during pregnancy.
Fortunately, many common short-term causes of loose stools can be treated at home with careful monitoring. Experts generally recommend the following tips:
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other fluids that contain electrolytes, such as sports drinks and soup broth. Avoid soft drinks and dairy products that may contain caffeine, sugar, or lactose which can worsen loose stools. From there, introduce soft, bland foods when you see symptoms improving. Stay away from foods that can make the problem worse: dried fruit (consider prunes your enemy); fatty or spicy foods. The banana, rice, applesauce, toast diet has been recommended for years because it is gentle on your digestive system and can help make stools firmer and denser. Ask a doctor before trying over-the-counter (OTC) anti-diarrhea medications. If needed, they may also be able to recommend medications that can help with symptoms associated with loose stools such as nausea or stomach upset, including natural ginger, an antacid. Maintain cleanliness, wash your hands and disinfect common areas to prevent transmitting any germs to others, if the cause is an infection.
Hopefully the information about diarrhea during the 1st trimester of pregnancy above can help, Mother.
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