Diarrhea during pregnancy: causes and treatment

Pregnant women often suffer from digestive disorders. Such an unpleasant phenomenon as diarrhea occurs less often in pregnant women than constipation... If it is not long and not too pronounced, then you should not worry. This can be a common manifestation of toxicosis. But if you want to run to the toilet more than 5 times a day, then you need to take measures to treat it.

Causes of diarrhea during pregnancy

An incorrect digestion process, in which, in addition to unpleasant sensations, there is also a strong dehydration of the body, can harm the health of the expectant mother and baby. There can be several reasons for the development of diarrhea:

• It's no secret that pregnant women have odd tastes. Sometimes a woman chooses such an unusual combination of products that the stomach simply cannot digest it.
• Diarrhea can be triggered early toxicosis... Then the digestive system simply adjusts to the new conditions of existence, and soon the diarrhea will stop.
• Excitement can be another cause of an upset stomach. Various examinations, visits to the gynecologist and other doctors, taking tests and waiting for the results. All this on a nervous basis can provoke diarrhea.
• Poisoning with a poor-quality product. In this case, nausea and vomiting are also connected to diarrhea. Here you can see all the signs of intoxication.
• Diarrhea can be caused by any type of intestinal infection. This can be rotavirus, salmonella, or other infections that cause intestinal upset.
• Diarrhea may be due to chronic gastrointestinal diseases. These include diseases such as colitis or biliary dyskinesia.
• Taking laxatives. The uncontrolled use of drugs with laxative effect in an attempt to eliminate constipation can cause the opposite effect - diarrhea.

Treating diarrhea during pregnancy

A pregnant woman should not make her own decisions about the treatment of diarrhea. It is important to consult with a specialist, identify the cause of the intestinal disorder and prescribe adequate treatment.

If the diarrhea is infectious, then the drug Nifuroxazide is prescribed to pregnant women. If the cause is dysbiosis, then Bifidumbacterin or Linex are prescribed to normalize the microflora.

In other cases, it is recommended to use natural remedies to normalize the stool. For example, starch water is suitable for stimulating bowel function. Just stir a small spoonful of starch in half a glass of lukewarm water and drink right away.

An infusion of blackberry leaves has good astringent properties. Add a glass of boiling water to a tablespoon of raw materials and let it brew for a while. Blackberry not only strengthens the stool, but also has anti-inflammatory properties, destroys harmful bacteria and has a diuretic effect.

The infusion of pomegranate peel acts in a similar way. It is prepared in the same way as the blackberry infusion. Only it is necessary to insist on it for about a day. It is necessary to take this remedy during the day, drinking in small sips.

If the diarrhea occurs on a nervous basis, then brew mint tea or motherwort broth to calm it down. To prepare the broth, sweat in a water bath a mixture of a tablespoon of motherwort herb and one glass of boiling water. Then the broth must be cooled and filtered. The resulting portion should be divided into three portions and drunk throughout the day.

Prevention of diarrhea during pregnancy

If a pregnant woman is faced with such an unpleasant phenomenon as diarrhea, measures must be taken to prevent recurrence of attacks in the future. This primarily applies to the diet nutrition.

But even if a woman eats healthy foods, all the same, their choice must be approached deliberately. For example, if you have loose stools, it is not recommended to eat large amounts of fruits and vegetables, especially raw. These foods contain a lot of fiber or fiber, which has a laxative effect.

It is very important to observe basic hygiene requirements: wash your hands on time, use wet wipes in public places. A woman should eat only high-quality products with a normal shelf life, the food should be freshly prepared. Do not consume raw water and unboiled milk. All vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly washed before eating, products such as meat, eggs or fish should be well boiled or fried.

Like other diseases, diarrhea is easier to prevent than to eliminate the consequences later. Therefore, try to maintain personal hygiene and you will avoid trouble.