Are you facing diarrhea symptoms during your pregnancy? If yes, then you should not panic and try to learn about the reason. Diarrhea during pregnancy is common as the reasons behind it are mostly seen in pregnant women. So, you must know what can cause diarrhea in various stages of pregnancy to treat it and understand if it is trying to point out something in your body. In this blog, you will learn about the causes, risk factors, and what diarrhea indicates during pregnancy.
What is Diarrhea?
The literal meaning of the word diarrhea is “flowing through,” and you can estimate why it is used for the condition it causes. Diarrhea is a condition that refers to frequent, thin bowel movements, i.e., around three or more times in a 24-hour period. So basically, loose motion is a symptom of diarrhea. But what exactly happens that makes diarrhea problematic for people?
When you get diarrhea, the water content is lost frequently, causing a lack of water in the body. This condition is known as dehydration, which can even cause death, but due to diarrhea, it mostly causes weakness and muscle cramps. So, this is what diarrhea is. Now let’s talk about the risk of diarrhea in pregnancy and the causes behind diarrhea in pregnancy.
Risk Factors and Causes of Diarrhea in Pregnancy
The risks due to diarrhea in pregnancy are the same as for a normal person, like weakness, unconsciousness, etc. But since there’s a baby developing in the womb, these risk factors can also affect the baby. Frequent loss of water can result in serious conditions. Here are some of the most common causes of diarrhea during pregnancy:
1) Dietary Changes
Everyone wants their baby to be born as fit as possible. In order to achieve this, mothers, when they find out about their pregnancy, make some changes in their diet. Such changes are also recommended by doctors and gynecologists. However, sometimes these changes can lead to diarrhea. The reason behind this is that many women don’t know about the food they can’t digest well. For instance, pregnant women often start drinking milk only when they are pregnant for the sake of the baby’s health. But if you are lactose intolerant, this sudden intake may lead to diarrhea. Such cases can easily be determined, and avoiding the allergic food helps to avoid diarrhea as well.
2) Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes are also a reason why you may get diarrhea during pregnancy. A newly pregnant woman sometimes faces hormonal changes, which makes their digestive system act slower than normal. Hence, when they eat their food, it causes diarrhea.
3) Bacterial or Viral Infection
Other than these causes, diarrhea can also occur due to bacteria or viruses, which is common in normal people as well.
However, when it comes to diarrhea during pregnancy in the third trimester, the reason can be different. So let’s have a look at that too.
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What Causes Diarrhea During Pregnancy in the Third Trimester?
You may find it weird, but diarrhea during pregnancy in the third trimester is a sign of labor. Yes, it is a specific change that the female body experiences in the trimester, pointing toward the upcoming labor. However, it doesn’t mean that labor has just arrived. In some cases, it can occur when labor is very near, and in others, it can occur weeks earlier. It’s a change that the body makes to prepare for delivery. But you should also know about the other signs of labor as well. If only diarrhea occurs during the trimester and no other symptoms are present, it can be regular diarrhea that must be treated.
Treatment for Diarrhea During Pregnancy
You may not need to take medicines for the treatment of diarrhea in pregnancy, as it fades away on its own. But during this period, you should take care of these things:
1) Stay Hydrated
Since the water content is lost a lot due to loose stools in pregnancy, you should make sure that you are drinking a good amount of water. You should drink plenty of water and also add Oral Rehydration Salt or ORS. It will restore the water content in your body, preventing weakness and unconsciousness.
2) Take a Diet that Your Body Accepts
Consult with gynecologist to know about the dietary changes. If diarrhea is happening due to some kind of food, especially dairy products, then you should avoid it.
3) Take Rest
To cope with the weakness and restore energy, take enough rest. Don’t walk around a lot, and try to keep your body in one place, either sitting or lying down.
4) Wash Your Hands Properly
To avoid bacteria and viruses, make sure to wash your hands properly. Do the same when you vomit, as it may also occur frequently in pregnancy.
Wrapping Up
To wrap up, these are the causes, risk factors, and treatments for diarrhea in pregnancy. You should not worry a lot about this condition as it usually vanishes on its own. Instead, consult your gynecologist to find out the reason behind it. Moreover, drink plenty of water in response to the lack of water due to loose stools in pregnancy. With these steps, you can keep yourself and your baby healthy even during diarrhea.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Diarrhea is not a proven sign of pregnancy, which means it can’t be considered a symptom of pregnancy. However, it can occur in the early stages of pregnancy due to various reasons. You may experience it in the initial stages of pregnancy due to hormonal or dietary changes.
No, loose motion is not a sign of pregnancy. It can happen due to any reason, like a bacterial or viral infection. In pregnancy, it can occur due to specific reasons like sudden changes in diet or hormones. But it doesn’t mean that if you are having loose motion, you are pregnant.
Yes, just like vomiting, loose motion is also common during pregnancy. If it happens during the initial stages of pregnancy, the reason can be changes in your diet or changes in your hormones, which is quite common. Moreover, in the third trimester, it signifies the arrival of labor if it happens with other labor symptoms.
