Diarrhea in the first weeks of pregnancy. Why does diarrhea occur and how is it treated in early pregnancy? Who had diarrhea in the early stages

Bowel problems are unpleasant at any time, but during pregnancy they are dangerous in twins, because the expectant mother does not receive enough nutrients, which affects the woman's health and can lead to fetal pathology. Loss of fluid in large volumes disrupts the body's water and electrolyte balance.

Diarrhea in early pregnancy indicates hormonal changes in the body, in the last trimester it occurs when the fetus is pressing on the stomach. However, if diarrhea is accompanied by a jump in temperature, pain and weakness, an infectious infection of the body is possible.

In most cases, diarrhea is not a disease, it only indicates a malfunction of certain systems. This condition indicates the ingress of toxins, viruses or allergens into the body. Sometimes such symptoms occur with hormonal changes in the body. The disease is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, frequent and liquid discharge from the intestines.

Diarrhea during early pregnancy can be caused by various reasons.

The reaction can be caused by the following factors:

Viral infection. The virus is dangerous to anyone. Symptoms include nausea, high fever, and nasal congestion. This condition usually lasts for several days.
Bacterial damage. This is a more serious disease, which, in addition to high temperature, gives an effect of intoxication of the body. It does not go away on its own and requires specialized treatment to relieve symptoms.
The first weeks of pregnancy. The bowel reaction in this case can be superimposed on other symptoms of toxicosis. In this case, diarrhea can be both a manifestation of an infection and a sign of pregnancy. In the early stages, this indicates separate gaps in health; in the last month of pregnancy, this condition signals an impending birth.

Types of diarrhea

Experts divide diarrhea into acute and chronic. Acute diarrhea lasts 2-3 weeks.

Its reason is:

getting an infection;
inflammation of the intestinal tract;
long-term use of medicines.

The stool at this time is liquid with mucous inclusions and bloody discharge. These symptoms are complicated by bloating and pain inside the abdomen, vomiting, and nausea. In most patients, food rejection occurs and, as a result, a sharp weight loss.

Prolonged diarrhea is accompanied by the loss of fluid from the body, which gives the following complications:

dry skin and mucous membranes;
weakness and fatigue;
temperature increase.

Most of the symptoms are the result of eating poor quality food or taking too much medication. Bloody discharge in most cases indicates the defeat of the intestine by harmful bacteria.

Chronic diarrhea can last for more than a month. She says that there are certain pathological changes. The doctor's task is to identify them and prescribe effective treatment.

The examination reveals:

frequency and volume of bowel movements;
their dynamics and consistency;
the color and presence of various inclusions (blood clots and mucus);
whether there is pain, nausea, vomiting, gas.

The presence of a pathology of the small intestine is characterized by watery or slimy stools, which occur very often. Large intestine problems are determined when, in addition to abundant discharge, purulent and bloody discharge appears in the feces. The pathology of the rectum is manifested by frequent urge, but scanty discharge.

Symptoms

In addition to frequent urging and loose stools, the condition is characterized by the following symptoms:

general weakness of the body;
unpleasant headaches;

high fever;
cramps and pain in the stomach and intestines;
the appearance of chills, nausea and vomiting.

Together, these signs indicate diarrhea. The severity of the disease and the choice of method of treatment depend on the number of symptoms.

Diarrhea during early pregnancy can be a symptom of the following diseases:

ectopic pregnancy;
inflammation of the appendix;
infections of the urinary system;
pyelonephritis and pancreatitis;
bowel problems.

These are dangerous ailments that need to be treated immediately after detection. Therapy of diseases with diarrhea is accompanied by constant monitoring of the condition of the fetus.

Diarrhea during early pregnancy is possible due to hormonal imbalance against the background of emotional unrest associated with the birth of a new life.

At the end of pregnancy, this condition indicates readiness for labor. In this case, you need to describe in detail your condition to the observing doctor and begin to prepare for the birth of a baby. The onset of diarrhea in the middle of the term is often associated with inflammatory processes in the stomach and intestines, problems of the pancreas and the work of the nervous system.

The danger of diarrhea for pregnant women depends on the reasons for which it has arisen and the complexity of the course of the disease. In the early stages, this problem is not dangerous, especially when it manifests itself against the background of toxicosis. It is more difficult to treat diarrhea when viruses and bacteria enter the body, but their effects do not spread outside the intestines and therefore are not dangerous to the fetus.

Diarrhea during pregnancy threatens intoxication and dehydration of the woman's body, which in its turn is dangerous for the unborn child

When severe intoxication occurs, the infection can enter the bloodstream and reach the fetus through the vessels. Thus, the disease will also affect the formation of the life systems of the future baby.

Excessive discharge carries the risk of dehydration of the body, which in turn destroys the water and salt balance and increases the possibility of developing a serious illness.

During pregnancy, such a disease increases the likelihood of congenital abnormalities in the fetus and can even provoke a miscarriage, therefore, when diarrhea is accompanied by dry mouth, constant thirst, dizziness and discoloration of urine, you need to call a doctor and start treatment.

It is especially important to see a doctor immediately if any of the following symptoms appear:

blood or mucous clots in the stool;
unusually dark color of feces;
pain in the genital area and severe dizziness;

An increase in temperature and the presence of blood in the stool is a reason for immediate medical attention

prolonged persistent diarrhea;
decreased appetite;
temperature increase.

Each of these signs speaks of the developing pathology of the process.

Diagnosing the causes of diarrhea

When diagnosing diseases, one of the symptoms of which is diarrhea, an external and hardware examination is carried out. This is necessary to exclude pathologies of internal organs in a pregnant woman. In addition, additional examinations are prescribed.

Acute diarrhea is characterized by a large loss of fluid and electrolytes. During the initial examination and a more detailed examination, the patient shows dehydration, increased heart rate and a sharp decrease in pressure. With a decrease in calcium balance, muscle cramps may appear.

In addition to studying the discharge, a visual examination of the proctological zone is carried out. If your anus has fissures, fistulas, or other lesions, it may be Crohn's disease.

For a more complete identification of the picture of the disease, instrumental endoscopic techniques are used, such as:

gastroscopy;
colonoscopy;
irrigoscopy;
sigmoidoscopy.

Such studies allow you to view the walls of the upper intestine and identify any existing damage, inflammation and neoplasms.

In acute diarrhea, the diagnosis can be made by visual inspection of the affected area and discharge (coprogram), by studying the patient's complaints. To clarify the symptoms, feces are examined for the presence of worms and bacteria.

Various techniques are used to diagnose the causes of diarrhea, in particular, ultrasound of the digestive system and laboratory tests

Microscopy of the secretions reveals the content of leukocytes and epithelial cells. A deviation from the norm indicates inflammation of the esophageal mucosa. An excess of fatty acids can be due to impaired fat absorption.

A change in the pH of the intestinal composition, excessive secretion of secretions in the stomach and the presence of tumor formations are revealed. Laboratory blood tests are designed to determine if there are inflammatory processes in the body that are the cause of chronic diarrhea.

Safe treatments for diarrhea during pregnancy

In early pregnancy, diarrhea treatment is associated with certain difficulties, because during this period, expectant mothers cannot take drugs that can harm the child. The doctor can examine the patient and, if possible, prescribe safe methods of therapy. Perhaps the situation will be corrected by a simple adjustment of the regime and composition of the diet.

Sometimes (!) It is allowed to use proven folk methods for diarrhea.

In this case, you should first make sure that the selected means and herbal preparations during pregnancy cannot negatively affect the development of the fetus. Any treatment should be discussed with your doctor.

Medications

If a woman's condition is alarming and there is a likelihood of termination of pregnancy, the doctor may prescribe medication with antibiotics. This must be done despite the risk of losing your child. In this case, even when the symptoms are not complicated, the treatment is carried out exclusively under the supervision of a physician.

Adsorbents and the following drugs can become an exception to the rule:

Smecta. The tool is available in the form of a powder, quickly dissolves in water and, after ingestion, is absorbed into the blood. When taken, there are no side symptoms and allergic reactions. The drug is excreted from the body completely. Sold in bags of 10-20 pcs. packaged.
Enterosgel and activated carbon. These substances quickly remove harmful substances from the body, preventing them from being absorbed into the blood. After taking them, the work of many body systems improves, erosions and other mucosal lesions are scarred.

Polyphepan. It is sold in pharmacies without a prescription in sachets of 200 g. It is not recommended to take it for gastric ulcers.
Nifuroxazide. This is an antibiotic that is approved for use during pregnancy in the second and third trimester under the supervision of a physician. It is prescribed for diarrhea caused by salmonella, Escherichia coli and other pathogens. The drug is not absorbed into the stomach, only acting on pathogens. The course of treatment is a week.

These funds can be used without fear for the child's condition if there is no prescription for taking vitamins or other medications. The use of other drugs or vitamins reduces the effectiveness of sorbents and therefore they must be taken in the interval (less than two hours) between taking them.

For severe diarrhea accompanied by vomiting, it is recommended to use saline solutions, such as tar, rehydron, or trisol, to help avoid dehydration and acidosis.

This solution can be prepared at home from salt and sugar, taken in 1 tsp. and dissolved in 500 ml of purified water. If you suspect poisoning, you can add 1 tsp to the composition. baking soda. You need to drink 0.5 tbsp. small sips after each stool. This will normalize the water-salt balance and avoid dehydration.

Stronger medications during pregnancy should be prescribed by a doctor. Any pain reliever and even suppositories are on this list. It is forbidden to use sedatives, such as valerian and motherwort, if diarrhea has arisen against the background of nervous tension.

In the third trimester, pregnant women can be prescribed drugs containing loperamide, such as: imodium, lopedium. The preparations quickly normalize the intestinal flora, preventing the loss of fluid and nutrients.

With infectious diarrhea, antibiotics are selected for pregnant women that will not harm the unborn child. Only a doctor can do this. To restore the normal state of the intestines after the treatment, probiotics are prescribed, for example, Linex or Bactisubtil.

Folk remedies

Diarrhea during early pregnancy in an acute form using traditional methods is practically not cured, in view of the fact that the concentration of nutrients in herbs and decoctions is very small and is unable to relieve the existing symptoms.

It is possible to use non-traditional methods of treatment if the diarrhea does not go away for a very long time and does not have an infectious nature. In this case, pregnant women can prepare and take drinks, teas and herbal teas, which will help get rid of diarrhea and normalize the activity of the food system.

There are many recipes that are effective for diarrhea, for example:

Name	Description
Starch water	For cooking, you need to take 1 tsp. potato starch and dilute it in 1 tbsp. clean water. All liquid is drunk in one go
Blackberry leaf tincture	You can collect the raw materials yourself or buy them at the pharmacy. To normalize the condition, you need to take 3 times a day for 1 tbsp. l.
Blueberry kissel	The prepared drink is drunk in 1 tbsp. half an hour before meals
Pomegranate peel tea	Chopped peel in the amount of 1 tbsp. l. pour 1 tbsp. boiling water and leave to infuse for a day. They drink it like regular tea - fresh and warm
Mint tea	Prepared from a teaspoon of fresh, chopped mint and 250 ml of boiling water. The infusion time is 15 minutes. The remedy perfectly treats diarrhea during pregnancy, especially if it appeared as a result of stress and an unstable emotional state
Walnut greens decoction	For cooking, you need to pick and chop the leaves of the walnut and 1 tbsp. l. pour 0.5 liters of raw materials, boil for 20 minutes. Then remove from heat and let it brew for an hour. It is taken 3 times a day for 1 tbsp. l.

Collection of herbs should be used with caution, during pregnancy, they can cause allergies. Knowing why the allergy has appeared, you can use safe methods of treatment and prevention with the consent of your doctor.

Not all home remedies for diarrhea can be used during pregnancy: until the 37th week, it is forbidden to take decoctions of raspberries (in its berries there is a prostaglandin, which can give an impetus to the onset of labor). If there is a threat of miscarriage, grapes and nuts should not be taken.

Other methods

Diarrhea during early pregnancy can be cured by other methods, for example, with onion peels. Prepared raw materials are poured into 1 liter of water and boiled for 7 minutes over low heat without boiling. The composition is infused for half an hour and filtered, they drink 0.5 liters during the day.

The use of chicken ventricles also helps to relieve unpleasant symptoms. A film is used that covers their surface. Several films are dried and crushed into powder, 1 tsp. the funds are dissolved in 1 tbsp. hot water and drink the resulting medicine.

Diarrhea and rice water are well treated. For its preparation in 2 tbsp. boiling water is boiled for 2 tbsp. l. rice, previously soaked in water. The drink is brewed for about 1 hour with constant stirring. The finished product is filtered and used during the day for 1 tbsp. for the reception.

Help stop diarrhea and vomiting fresh lemon juice. For 1 tbsp. drink just a few drops of citrus. However, all these methods can be used only after identifying the causes of the disease., and this can be done after consulting a doctor. Otherwise, complications may arise, leading to unpleasant consequences.

Prevention

For the prevention of diarrhea, a special diet is recommended for pregnant women. The basis of proper nutrition at this time is the use of light foods that will relieve the burden on the digestive system. You need to eat in small portions, excluding products from your menu that can provoke a laxative effect.

During pregnancy, it is forbidden to starve, since the fetus must receive nutrients constantly and in full. In this regard, the nutritional requirements at this time have a strict framework.

The menu should contain a minimum of such products as:

spicy, fried and smoked dishes;
sweets and salinity;
acidic and fatty foods.

At the first sign of diarrhea, it is best to skip milk, fresh fruits and vegetables. On the first day, it is recommended to drink more plain water or tea without sugar, this will help maintain water balance. On the third day, you can add boiled or stewed vegetables.

You can also eat steamed patties and light vegetable soups. All dishes are eaten warm so as not to irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa. The diet lasts 7 days and is very effective, especially if you add jelly, fruit compotes and chamomile teas to the menu.

The main prevention of intestinal poisoning and infections is careful observance of hygiene rules, the choice of quality products and cooking at a certain temperature.

The following conditions must be met:

Eat quality food with a high content of trace elements and nutrients.
Take vitamin complexes.
Do not eat in questionable establishments.
Observe the rules of hygiene.

The problem of loose stools can become difficult if diagnostics are not carried out in time. Treatment is prescribed only after a comprehensive examination. This can be done by a specialist, self-medication is strictly prohibited, it can harm the child.

Basically, diarrhea is not dangerous during early pregnancy, but when it comes to infection and other serious problems of the gastrointestinal tract, you have to use drug therapy.

Article design: Natalie Podolskaya

Video about intestinal disorders during pregnancy

Diarrhea during early pregnancy - causes and treatment in this video:

There are conditions, the danger of which people tend to downplay. One of them is diarrhea during pregnancy. This symptom is fraught with the danger of intoxication of the organisms of the mother and baby, dehydration threatens with nutritional deficiency and hypoxia in the child, greatly increases the risk of thrombosis. In addition, diarrhea in pregnant women can be one of the signs of inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, which require immediate treatment.

Common causes of diarrhea during pregnancy

Let's first define what kind of stool can be considered diarrhea, or simply diarrhea. Signs of trouble are bowel movements more than 3 times a day and an unusual consistency of feces. With diarrhea, excrement is always liquid, resembling gruel or water mixed with particles of digested and semi-digested food.

Diarrhea is not a separate disease, but a symptom of a disorder. It is often accompanied by other symptoms:

temperature rise;
nausea;
lethargy;
increased gassing;
abdominal pain.

Diarrhea is considered acute if it lasts less than 2 weeks, and chronic if it lasts longer. The causes of acute and chronic conditions are different:

A type of diarrhea	Cause	Characteristic
Spicy	Unusual products	Our intestines get used to the food we usually eat. If the diet is low in fat, the body may react to an overly fatty meal with diarrhea. It usually begins within an hour after eating and is one-time.
	Allergy	Diarrhea may be part of an allergic reaction to a product. During pregnancy, the risk of a new allergy is higher than during normal times.
	Side effects of drugs	The causes of diarrhea in the early stages can be hidden in banal vitamins that every responsible pregnant woman begins to drink. Usually it is enough to change the brand name of vitamins, and digestion will improve. Antibiotics can also cause diarrhea.
	Toxins	When toxins enter the body, it seeks to remove them faster, including through diarrhea. The cause of diarrhea can be low-quality products, fumes from household chemicals and paints and varnishes.
	Infections, can be bacterial and viral	Diarrhea during pregnancy caused by rotavirus, dysentery or salmonellosis is very dangerous. The woman dehydrates quickly. With the wrong treatment, there is a high risk of miscarriage. Typical signs of infection are green and black feces, a sharp deterioration in well-being.
Chronic	Irritable bowel syndrome	Unpredictable deterioration in digestion, frequent diarrhea, bloating for no apparent reason. Often combined with stress, psychological disorders (depression), VSD.
	Bowel dysfunction	Persistent, severe diarrhea may result from colitis. This is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the large intestine, in addition to diarrhea, it is manifested by a feeling of heaviness, cramping pain in the abdomen. Mucus and blood are often present in the stool.
	Pathologies in other digestive organs	Diarrhea in the second trimester can be caused by an exacerbation of pancreatitis, blockage of the bile ducts. Beginning in mid-pregnancy, the risk of exacerbation of chronic diseases is increased.

What is the danger of diarrhea when carrying

Diarrhea lasting more than a day deprives even an active, healthy person of strength, not to mention the expectant mother, whose body already works with an increased load. Severe diarrhea during pregnancy can significantly worsen a woman's well-being, have a negative effect on the child:

Dehydration is the main danger of prolonged diarrhea. Increasing water intake may not be enough, as diarrhea flushes out the necessary minerals from the body. The absorption of nutrients also deteriorates, which cannot but affect pregnancy.
Spasms in the gastrointestinal tract lead to a reflex increase in uterine tone, so diarrhea in early pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, in the third trimester it increases the likelihood of placental abruption and premature delivery.
Diarrhea triggered by an infection is especially dangerous in the 1st trimester, as it can cause malformations. At the end of pregnancy, intrauterine infection of the fetus threatens premature birth.
Prolonged diarrhea is always accompanied by intoxication. The toxins also get to the child, interfering with his normal development.

Only prolonged severe diarrhea in a pregnant woman poses a real threat to the health of mom and baby. A single or short-term diarrhea is usually not dangerous.

Early and late diarrhea

The most common manifestation of toxicosis is nausea. In rare cases, diarrhea is added to it at the beginning of pregnancy. As a rule, diarrhea triggered by toxicosis is repeated up to 3 times a day and does not lead to a serious deterioration in the woman's well-being. You can adjust the stool by changing the diet, including fixing products in the menu. If vomiting and diarrhea are severe, severe dehydration may occur and fluid loss will have to be replenished with intravenous fluids.

Diarrhea in the third trimester may be associated with increased pressure of the uterus on the digestive organs, their displacement relative to their usual position, and constriction of the ducts. For longer periods, the likelihood of exacerbation of pancreatitis, cholecystitis, gastritis is especially high.

Episodic diarrhea in later stages often occurs simultaneously with a change in the shape of the abdomen due to the insertion of the baby's head into the small pelvis. From this stage of pregnancy, the pressure of the uterus on the intestines and bladder increases, and at the same time urination becomes more frequent. The chair can linger and become more frequent.

Diarrhea at 37, 38, 39 weeks can be triggered by physiological reasons. Changes in stool at this time are caused by a sharp drop in the level of prolactin, which throughout pregnancy has a relaxing effect on the uterus and adjacent organs. The tone of the uterus increases, from the side of the intestine, small spasms are possible, loosening of the stool. Diarrhea is considered one of the harbingers of childbirth, along with abdominal prolapse, increased urination, and slight weight loss. It is not dangerous for health, as it does not lead to dehydration. The feces are mushy, not watery, comes out in small portions several times a day.

How to quickly stop diarrhea

The most famous antidiarrheal agent that can stop diarrhea is loperamide. It is the active substance of such popular drugs as Imodium, Lopedium, Diara. Loperamide works by decreasing intestinal motility, allowing the feces to stay in it longer. Moisture from the stool is absorbed into the large intestine, so it becomes thicker.

The use of loperamide for diarrhea is prohibited in the first trimester of pregnancy, in the future, treatment with it is possible only after consulting a therapist or gastroenterologist. The drug is prescribed during pregnancy only if diarrhea is caused by nutritional errors, stress, allergies. If there is even the slightest suspicion of infection or poisoning, antidiarrheal tablets are strictly contraindicated. Retention of feces in these cases poses a serious danger to pregnancy, as it leads to a sharp increase in intoxication.

How to treat diarrhea during pregnancy

Both acute and chronic diarrhea during pregnancy can have serious consequences, so the first thing to do when diarrhea occurs is to consult a physician to determine its cause and prescribe treatment.

Self-medication can be done only if diarrhea is mild, its causes are known for sure and are not dangerous for the course of pregnancy. Such reasons include overeating, a sudden change in diet, a reaction to unfamiliar foods.

Dieting

Correction of nutrition is an important component of the treatment of diseases that cause diarrhea in a pregnant woman. Any drug treatment will be ineffective if you continue to eat foods that irritate the intestines.

The basic principles of diarrhea diet:

Exclusion of excessively fatty, sweet, spicy foods.
Restriction of products that increase gassing. Their list is strictly individual. Beans, cabbage, soda, desserts, baked goods, sweet fruits, whole milk can cause flatulence during pregnancy.
Preference is given to stewed and boiled food, not raw, fried, smoked. It is advisable to remove hard-to-digest foods: mushrooms, stringy meat, vegetables and fruits with rough skin.
Already at the initial signs of dehydration (thirst, dry mucous membranes, skin), fluid intake is sharply increased.

Use of drugs

The tablets are prescribed only after determining the cause of the diarrhea. Treatment is aimed at eliminating this cause, correcting dehydration, restoring microflora. How to treat diarrhea:

If diarrhea in pregnant women is a consequence of irritable bowel, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, rehydration agents are prescribed. For bacterial infections, antibiotics are required, which are allowed during pregnancy. With a lack of enzymes, diseases of the pancreas and biliary tract, enzyme preparations and bile components can be useful.

If you overdo it with stopping diarrhea, you can get problems with bowel movements. Constipation during pregnancy is quite common.

Folk remedies

If you know for sure that diarrhea was the result of errors in the diet, caused by an allergic reaction, stress or side effects of the medication, but do not want to take loperamide, you can use milder alternative methods.

What can you drink for diarrhea:

Kissel or a decoction from under the potatoes will fix the stool thanks to the starch they contain. You need to drink them in a glass three times a day.
Strong tea is the most affordable remedy for diarrhea, it works due to the high content of tannins. Contraindication during pregnancy is high blood pressure.
Infusion of pomegranate peels contains tannins and has antibacterial properties. The peel is poured with boiling water, insisted for half an hour. The proportion of dry pomegranate peels and water is 1:20. Drink the broth twice a day for half a glass - the benefits of pomegranate during pregnancy.

Thick, well-boiled rice porridge, fresh and frozen blueberries, and a baked pear also have fixing properties.

Diarrhea as a sign of pregnancy

Starting from the time of implantation of the embryo into the uterus, hormonal changes begin to occur in the body. They usually lead to relaxation of all organs, including the intestines. Digestion and excretion of food slows down, constipation increases. Naturally, the gastrointestinal tract of a pregnant woman can react to the growth of hormones in the opposite way - with diarrhea, but this is more the exception than the rule, so diarrhea cannot be considered as a sign of pregnancy.

The active work of the immune forces can interfere with the attachment of the egg, the growth of cells that are to become the placenta, therefore, at this time, the woman's immunity decreases. Diarrhea in the first weeks may be an infection that a weakened body could not prevent. Any infectious disease in the early stages can provoke a miscarriage. If a woman has a stomach ache and diarrhea, she needs urgent drug therapy.

In the modern world, special tests help a woman find out about pregnancy. However, they do not give a reliable result immediately, they can be negative at the initial stage. In addition, not in every home they are in the home first aid kit. Many expectant mothers understand that conception has already occurred, their body helps in the early stages. There are a number of signs that indicate pregnancy.

Bowel disorder as a symptom of conception

Delay and absence of menstruation are not the only indicators that a woman has become pregnant. At an early stage, other symptoms associated with the characteristics of the processes in the body during this period can also signal pregnancy.

After conception, pregnancy does not occur instantly. It can take from 7 to 10 days until the embryo is fully attached to the uterus, and even after implantation, the female body will perceive it as a foreign body for some time. Therefore, he will try to reject it. All this causes poor health and a decrease in immunity. A woman is more prone to colds and SARS, as well as indigestion. Due to the close location of the uterus and intestines, the expectant mother may experience diarrhea, loose stools, heaviness and pressure in the abdomen.

Diarrhea without other signs of pregnancy is not a symptom of pregnancy. It is most likely caused by other reasons:

intestinal infection;
poisoning;
dysbiosis;
pancreatitis;
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
irritable bowel syndrome.

If diarrhea appears against the background of other first signs of conception and does not cause painful sensations, this is usually due to the onset of pregnancy.

The obvious signs include:

swelling of the breast;
increased nipple sensitivity;
nausea;
spotting from the vagina.

Causes of loose stools during pregnancy

Diarrhea as a sign of pregnancy is common (for more details, see the article:
This is due to the fact that along with loose stools, many nutritious and useful microelements that are so necessary for the future baby leave the body - their deficiency can negatively affect the development of the fetus.

What can be the reasons that provoke diarrhea or constipation in a pregnant woman in the early stages of bearing a baby? The main ones are:

Hormonal adjustment. The main hormones, the intensive production of which occurs just during pregnancy, are progesterone and estrogen. They are responsible for ensuring that the fetus receives adequate nutrition through the circulatory system, for which they slow down the digestive system. As a result of the unusual mode of digestion of food, the woman has disturbances in her bowel movements. They become more frequent or rare.
Intestinal or viral infection. In pregnant women, this problem is rarely observed due to their compliance with all dietary rules. To face the problem of diarrhea caused by such a reason, those who still do not know about their situation can.
Diet changes. Pregnant women carefully monitor their menu, enriching it with vitamins. Often, the amount of fermented milk products in the diet increases, which can lead to loose stools.
Psychological condition. Any stress, emotional stress, experiences can cause diarrhea in a pregnant woman.

Normal or pathological?

Whether a symptom such as diarrhea is normal or abnormal in the first months of gestation depends on the quality, duration and causes of diarrhea. If a woman observes a slight stool disorder that does not cause her painful sensations, this is not attributed to pathological processes in the body, but is considered quite normal during pregnancy. Such a deviation does not pose a threat to either the fetus or the health of the mother.

Diarrhea is dangerous only when it is additionally accompanied by the following symptoms:

the frequency of bowel movements exceeds three times a day;
the consistency of the stool is very watery;
the presence of an unpleasant specific odor;
the presence of mucus, blood, pus or pieces of food in the feces that did not have time to be digested;
temperature increase;
the presence of a gag reflex and nausea;
the appearance of severe pain in the stomach;
the duration of diarrhea exceeds three days without the onset of improvement.

With these symptoms, diarrhea is not a sign of pregnancy, but the result of an intestinal infection. In case of pregnancy, the problem requires immediate solution and medical attention.

Diarrhea after conception and negative pregnancy test

Diarrhea may be the first sign that conception has occurred, even if the pregnancy test is still negative. However, you should not consider loose stools as the only sign of the birth of a new life. If there is no delay in menstruation and other symptoms do not appear, diarrhea can be caused by many other problems that have nothing to do with the woman's new position.

A negative test does not always give a reliable result of the absence of pregnancy. For a very short period of time, there is a small concentration of those substances in the urine that react with the test strip. Tests purchased from a pharmacy may be defective or expired. Also, there is always a human factor, and not all test conditions can be met, which will affect the reliability of the result.

For this reason, in order to confirm or deny suspicions of pregnancy, it is better to visit a gynecologist. It is he who will accurately determine the presence of the fetus, determine how long the woman is in the position.

What to do?

Before taking any action to eliminate loose stools, you should accurately find out the cause that provoked the disorder. If a woman has suspicions about a possible pregnancy, she should wait for the time when her period should begin. In the event that there is a delay in menstruation and diarrhea is present, you need to do a test or take a blood test, which determines the presence of pregnancy before all methods.

With slight changes in stool frequency and consistency, which do not cause discomfort to the woman, it is not worth doing anything. Usually, the work of digestion is getting better on its own. If there is no improvement in the condition, treatment is required, depending on the diagnosis. However, no matter what caused the diarrhea, the woman should stick to the diet. Its menu should consist of:

wheat rusks;
rice porridge;
fresh fruit;
lean soups;
baked apples and pears.

Drinking a lot is important. The daily minimum of fluid must be 1.5 liters. Plain or mineral water, decoctions and fruit drinks are suitable. If diarrhea continues for a long time, you should consult a specialist and do not self-medicate, especially while in position.

When does diarrhea go away in pregnant women?

When diarrhea is due to pregnancy, there is a delay in menstruation, other signs appear, this is quite normal and common. The stool becomes slightly thinner and the number of trips to the toilet increases. Without other alarming symptoms characteristic of intestinal diseases, diarrhea can be left untreated. Over time, the uterus rises and reaches the level of the navel. This happens by 17-23 weeks. Then the stool is normalized.

It is important to understand that non-intervention is possible only if diarrhea is associated precisely with anatomical features and ongoing processes during pregnancy. Otherwise, treatment is required, since diarrhea is dangerous with serious consequences, both for the health of the mother and the fetus.

It would seem, at first glance, a funny question: "Is diarrhea the first sign of pregnancy?" - can be considered stupid. In fact, many medical papers and seminar topics are devoted to this topic. The woman's body changes throughout all 9 months of fetal development. During this period, changes are possible in all systems of functioning.

Diarrhea is, first of all, a signal of any changes in the body. This can be poisoning, the onset or delay of menstruation, diarrhea and pregnancy. All normally accept toxicosis and have long become accustomed to the fact that this is an integral part of the condition of a pregnant woman. So why shouldn't diarrhea be considered a sign of pregnancy? Its manifestations are also closely related to the intestines, stomach and toxicosis.

General description of the disease

The term "diarrhea is a sign of pregnancy" is interpreted as a violation of some functions of the intestinal tract of a pregnant woman. It arises as a response signal to the rapid development of pregnancy or as an irritant resulting from harmful factors. This symptom manifests itself in the form of frequent loose stools, with subsequent changes in the feces (mushy or liquid). In order to avoid misunderstanding in the future, it is worth clarifying: diarrhea and diarrhea are one and the same.

The onset of diarrhea is considered a pathology at any age. It does not matter whether it is a woman or a man of different age categories. This is a little different during pregnancy. Loose stools are a natural part of pregnancy at a certain time.

Diarrhea can also be a symptom of an infectious disease. A pregnant woman should consult a doctor, only he will be able to determine the nature of the pathology and clearly diagnose to confirm the deviation or norm. This affects the entire course of pregnancy and getting rid of the problem.

The doctors agreed that diarrhea during pregnancy is not a cause for excitement, but the norm. The resulting deviations in the work of the intestines are characterized not by indulgence, but by constipation. The physiological and anatomical structure of all women is different.

Often an enlarged uterus during pregnancy, tightly adjoins the abdominal structures and their pressure occurs on each other. This symptom worries a woman up to 24 weeks, until the uterus reaches the level of the navel.

In most pregnant women, diarrhea begins immediately after menstruation is delayed. The symptom of indigestion is short-lived, the body quickly adapts to new conditions and hormonal changes. If the pregnant woman is not worried about pain, fever and other unpleasant sensations, it is possible not to consult a doctor. This is normal for a healthy, progressive pregnancy.

Important!!! With constipation, you can not do enemas or microclysters, drink laxative herbs or tablets. This can cause spontaneous miscarriage or premature birth. The best remedy for normalizing stool with constipation is rectal glycerin suppositories. For liquid diarrhea - low-fat kefir and fresh prunes. Fermented milk bacteria settle on the intestinal walls, remove toxins and normalize the balance.

Can diarrhea be considered a reliable sign?

The first reliable sign of pregnancy is, of course, nausea, delay or prolonged absence of menstruation. Many are deeply mistaken, believing that diarrhea speaks of the long-awaited fertilization of the egg. But if the test showed two strips, then you should listen to the signals of the body !!!

Causes of diarrhea:

violation of the digestive system;
colibacillus or infection;
poor nutrition;
insufficient amount of active enzymes;
the use of "heavy" food and intestinal obstruction;
problems with the genitourinary system;
dyspepsia;
new products that our body is not used to (foreign fruits and vegetables).

For severe diarrhea that accompanies nausea and fever, it is important to see a doctor. Any rash actions will harm mother and child, complicate the course of pregnancy. You can't joke with health. It is very important to get the advice of a specialist and his recommendations for treatment.

Should I be worried?

Doctors distinguish a kind of triad of the first signs of pregnancy:

delay of menstruation;
nausea;
vomit.

These symptoms occur in 90% of women when they are not yet aware of the pregnancy. The absence of menstruation, combined with toxicosis, are not always harbingers of the fact that a woman is "in position", but often this is exactly the case. If the signs are not protracted, unstable, have a variable character and there is no general disturbance of well-being, then there is no cause for concern. All pregnant women complain of malfunctioning of the intestinal tract. It is enough to look at the forums and reviews of visitors to sites for moms.

Unfortunately, there are cases when nausea and diarrhea, in the absence of menstruation for a long time, are those alarm bells that are worth reacting to:

swelling of the limbs and face;
increase or decrease in pressure;
a sharp deterioration in the condition, weakness, dizziness;
pulling pains in the lower abdomen.

You should not wait for time and heal yourself. An extra visit to your doctor never hurts.

What can I do to fix the problem?

If diarrhea does not cause discomfort, does not have the above symptoms and does not give alarming symptoms, then nothing is worth doing. This usually goes away on its own. But a pregnant woman is annoyed by frequent trips to the toilet or diarrhea at the wrong time. Therefore, you can "build a relationship" with the intestines, following some points.

Do not eat liquid dishes, refrain from borscht, soups and other first courses. They cause intestinal motility and loose stools will recur again.
Eat only fresh fruits, vegetables, non-salty foods without specific odors. For example, cereals, stews, salads, protein products.

Rice and rice water are the first proven remedies for intestinal upset. They are not suitable for everyone, because of the unpleasant taste and smell, but they cope well with diarrhea when menstruation is delayed.
Soft pears, pear broth, baked pears.
Drink more drinks and herbal drinks. Mineral water with soda (alkaline), compotes, fruit drinks are well suited.
Activated carbon.
Enzyme preparations (Mezim, Pancreatin, Creon)

Advice: Signs of diarrhea and delayed periods often indicate a normal pregnancy. Some doctors mark this as the first positive symptoms. You should listen to your body every day and, if possible, keep a diary of feelings. It may seem ridiculous and ridiculous to someone, but the health of the baby is only in the hands of the mother, so they cannot be lowered for a minute. With the help of the diary, it will be easier for the gynecologist to make entries in the card of the pregnant woman, and to navigate in her well-being. She will not remember everything, and the diary is always at hand.

Since ancient times, women have been able to determine the onset of conception by special "signals" that were given by their body, even without the help of modern highly sensitive tests. At the same time, diarrhea as a sign of pregnancy was considered one of the important symptoms. How true is this signal? Is it possible to judge with certainty the conception that has come about by its occurrence? Is diarrhea dangerous for a developing fetus?

What happens in the body after conception

As you know, a woman can become pregnant after conception. In order to understand how much it is worth trusting the symptom of diarrhea in this important matter, you need to understand the process of restructuring the body after it.

Conception is the moment when the most viable sperm "entered" the egg. However, this "meeting" in itself does not guarantee the onset of pregnancy. The fertilization process continues after conception. After all, the egg still has to pass to the uterus in order to firmly consolidate in its walls. This whole process takes about 10 days. For several more weeks, the female body will carry out "face control" of the "stranger", trying to understand how high-quality it is. Immunity falls: nature protects new life, not allowing the mother's body to reject it. These processes cause the expectant mother to feel unwell.

At this stage of pregnancy, a woman is especially susceptible to various infections, including intestinal infections. Quite often, a minor digestive upset occurs, which can manifest itself as diarrhea and constipation.

At this time, the fertilized egg is firmly implanted into the uterine cavity, which can cause a small discharge of blood from the vagina. This event can be considered the victory of the embryo and the beginning of its development in the womb. Increased production of hCG begins, a hormone that helps the development and preservation of the fetus. A real hormonal "boom" occurs in a woman's body: the level of progesterone is rapidly increasing, which displaces estrogen.

Given the proximity of the uterus to the intestines, many girls complain of a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, as well as stool disorders. However, with the growth of the fetus, the uterus, increasing in size, reaches the navel, and problems with loose stools, as a rule, no longer bother women.

Can diarrhea be a symptom of pregnancy?

We have already mentioned that after conception, changes occur in all systems of the body and its defenses are significantly weakened. At the same time, the digestive tract, given the special proximity to the reproductive organs of a woman, reacts brightest of all. As a rule, mild (and sometimes serious) toxicosis is the very first to declare the emergence of a new life in the womb of a woman. Stool disorder follows.

The main reason for the appearance of diarrhea as a sign of pregnancy before delay is hormonal changes in the body. The main "actors" in the development of pregnancy are progesterone and estrogen. These hormones significantly slow down the functioning of the maternal digestive system, so that the necessary substances have time to enter the bloodstream, providing the fetus with adequate nutrition. Such deviations from the usual process of digestion and cause upset stools.

Go for a short pregnancy in a couple of minutes and get an answer - are you pregnant or not.

Loose stools are also an indicator of their psychoemotional state in pregnant women. Any stressful situation, prolonged excitement or fear can lead to diarrhea. In this case, such violations are of a short-term nature and, as a rule, do not require treatment.

As you can see, at the beginning of pregnancy, diarrhea can really be one of its symptoms. Moreover, if the changes in the stool are minor and not accompanied by pain in the abdomen, there is nothing to worry about. As soon as the body gets used to hormonal "innovations", diarrhea will pass.

However, keep in mind that diarrhea can be a symptom of gastrointestinal problems and serious intestinal infections that require immediate treatment. In this case, it does not matter at all whether it is associated with conception.

If the stomach hurts, the stool is frequent (more than 3 times a day) and watery, then you should not think that diarrhea is a sign of pregnancy. You need to immediately seek medical attention. This is especially true if you are really pregnant. Self-medication can cause irreparable harm to the baby.

Is diarrhea a reliable sign of pregnancy?

Based on the above, it is clear that a stool disorder can be a symptom of pregnancy. However, it is not worth considering it as a reliable sign. After all, the presence of conception is determined by a set of common symptoms:

Nausea in the morning;
Soreness and induration of the mammary glands;
General weakness and fatigue;
Delayed menstrual cycle.

In any case, diarrhea and other early signs of pregnancy must be confirmed with special home tests. And the most reliable way to determine conception is a blood test, with the help of which the concentration of the "pregnant" hormone will be accurately determined - you need to pass it.

Recall that the causes of diarrhea in pregnant women are not always associated with harmless changes in the hormonal background of a woman. Therefore, letting things go by themselves, or, even worse, trying to treat it yourself, is highly undesirable. Infectious or intestinal disorders can cause serious problems.

Is diarrhea dangerous in early pregnancy

A mild indigestion accompanied by mild soft stools is not harmful to a pregnant woman. This process is quite natural, and after a short time it will cease to bother a woman. Diarrhea can be caused by:

Disorders of the digestive system;
Unbalanced diet;
Lack of enzymes that activate the intestines;
Regular dry food, fast food intake;
Pathological changes in the genitourinary sphere;
Tasting new foods that have not been eaten before;
Intestinal or bacterial infections.

Intestinal infections provoke violations of the organ microflora, which causes diarrhea. This condition is extremely dangerous for the expectant mother and her baby.

A woman needs to see a doctor as soon as possible if diarrhea is accompanied by at least one of the symptoms:

Defecation occurs more often 3 times a day;
The consistency of the stool is very thin and watery;
Stool has a pungent fetid odor;
The stool contains pus, mucus, blood streaks, or bits of food;
Increased body temperature;
Nausea accompanied by vomiting;
Severe pain in the lower abdomen, which intensifies during bowel movements;
Diarrhea lasts more than 3 days.

These symptoms are signs of intestinal diseases, so you need to see a doctor, as in this case, the fetus may suffer.

Vomiting, nausea and diarrhea lead to severe dehydration of the body, because it loses a lot of fluids. Moreover, useful substances and microelements that are so necessary for the developing embryo are "washed out" from the blood. Due to the regular and significant loss of fluid, the composition of blood components and other biological significant fluids changes.

If diarrhea is associated with intestinal diseases, bacterial, viral or other infection, the body will receive additional poisoning with toxins that are produced in the course of their vital activity. And given the fact that some of the pathological microorganisms have the ability to penetrate the placenta, the situation for the fetus will be even more sad.

However, in the very early stages, before the formation of the placenta, the fetus exists autonomously, therefore, with the rapid relief of the infection, the child is not in danger.

Do not forget that frequent spasmodic urge to defecate affects the tone of the uterus. In the very early stages, this can lead to termination of pregnancy, when, due to the strong contraction of the uterine muscles, the body rejects the fetus.

Treatment of diarrhea in pregnant women

The safest manifestation of diarrhea at the beginning of pregnancy is considered to be a slight softening of feces, which is not accompanied by additional unpleasant symptoms. Despite the fact that there is no cause for concern in this case, a woman needs to pay attention to her diet.

Also, observance of the following rules will help get rid of such an unpleasant symptom of pregnancy:

For a while, limit the use of first courses (borscht and soups), since rich broths stimulate intestinal motility, causing softening of the stool;
Reduce the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits to a minimum, and it is better to subject them to heat treatment;
Eat food with minimal salt added;
Avoid dishes with specific pungent odors;
With frequent urge to defecate, you can cook rice porridge in water, which is not only very useful, but also has a "bonding" property;
Taking activated charcoal or other sorbents is a safe and reliable way to get rid of frequent bowel movements;

If nausea and diarrhea during pregnancy bother the expectant mother often, an urgent need to consult a gynecologist or therapist. The doctor will prescribe medications that will eliminate unpleasant symptoms and improve the general well-being of the woman.

If diarrhea is associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, urgent medical attention is needed. Medication will depend on the type of infection that is causing the stool problem. However, in any case, a woman will need to reconsider her diet, follow a strict diet. After all, healthy foods can cleanse the intestines and restore its natural functioning.

Remember that you cannot self-medicate, especially if you are planning a child. In case of any alarming signals, you need to seek help from professionals who can not only eliminate the cause of diarrhea, but also give a clear answer about the presence or absence of pregnancy.