Diarrhea during pregnancy

During pregnancy, you probably pay close attention to your body. Besides the many exciting changes it undergoes, you might also experience one or two unpleasant "side effects." These can include digestive problems. In this article, you will learn why diarrhea can occur during pregnancy, what you can do about it, and when caution is advised.

From diarrhea ( Diarrhea ) is diagnosed when there are more than three bowel movements per day. The consistency typically varies between soft, mushy, and liquid. During pregnancy, diarrhea often alternates with constipation or bloating.

Possible causes

As annoying as diarrhea may be: Unlike other digestive problems during pregnancy such as constipation, Nausea or bloating, he has hormonal causes less frequently. Still, it's not unusual if you're dealing with it during the first trimester. The reason for this is that the entire digestive tract reacts more sensitively during pregnancy than usual. A clever Protection mechanism Your gut, because it keeps unwanted intruders away from you and your baby.

Another possible trigger for the diarrhea is the Diet change , which many pregnant women undertake to provide good care for their child. Perhaps you also started to consume more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains as soon as you found out you were expecting a baby. The increased intake of vital and dietary fibers contained in these foods strongly stimulates digestion. So even if you experience diarrhea at the beginning of your pregnancy due to a changed diet, you should still maintain a healthy and balanced meal plan. After a few days, the gastrointestinal tract usually adapts to the new amount of nutrients, and the trouble is over again.

Also Excitement can be a reason for diarrhea – some expectant mothers experience nervousness quite literally in their stomach during early pregnancy. Another possible cause is Medications or dietary supplements : Many pregnant women, for example, take additional magnesium, which can lead to softer stools and thus promote diarrhea.

If diarrhea occurs towards the end of pregnancy, it may already serve as a Harbinger of the upcoming birth : Braxton Hicks contractions or early labor contractions often stimulates bowel activity.

Furthermore, diarrhea can naturally cause the same trigger have how outside of pregnancy , such as food intolerances, a food poisoning, stress, or infections. If you experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, or nausea and suspect that a Salmonella infection or a gastrointestinal virus could be the cause of the diarrhea, you should definitely contact your doctor. In very rare cases, then a Listeriosis the trigger for the digestive disorder. This is not only unpleasant for you but can also be transmitted to your child and potentially become dangerous for them. Which foods can cause listeriosis and what to watch out for to avoid it, you will learn in our article „ Proper Nutrition During Pregnancy ".

What helps with diarrhea during pregnancy?

The key to diarrhea is: viel drink to replenish the fluid loss. In addition to water, fennel or chamomile tea are good choices, as they additionally soothe your stomach. Also, make sure to easy-to-digest foods to take to you in order not to further burden your digestive tract. You should avoid fatty and bloating foods and instead opt for cooked or steamed dishes rather than raw or fried foods. Acute relief can be provided by binding foods such as mashed banana, grated apple (the pectin in the skin binds fluid in the body), or steamed carrots.

Also Salt and minerals , for example in the form of pretzel sticks or vegetable broth, you should consume them because your body excretes them more when you have diarrhea. Alternatively, an electrolyte solution from the pharmacy can compensate for the loss of minerals. However, you should only take diarrhea medications after consulting your doctor, as not every medication is safe during pregnancy. Even with natural remedies that promise relief from diarrhea, you should definitely consult your doctor before taking them.

What you can always indulge in without hesitation, however, are Peace and warmth .

Is diarrhea dangerous during pregnancy?

The most important thing first: Diarrhea during pregnancy is usually completely harmless to your baby as long as it is treated. The viruses responsible for, for example, a stomach flu or a Norovirus, are confined exclusively to the gastrointestinal tract, and there is no risk of them reaching your baby through the blood or the umbilical cord. Even if the diarrhea itself is not dangerous for your child, you should, as a precaution, contact your doctor under certain circumstances:

• If the diarrhea länger als drei Tage and persists. Since severe diarrhea leads to loss of fluids and essential minerals, there is a risk that your baby may not receive enough of certain nutrients in the long term. It even persists länger als zwei Wochen yes, is from chronic diarrhea the speech. Then there might be other reasons behind it that should be urgently investigated and treated.

• If there is a suspicion of a Vaginosis exists: The smear infection can be caused by intestinal bacteria that reach the vagina and can, in the worst case, trigger premature labor. Therefore, contact your doctor if you notice foul-smelling discharge or itching in the genital area in addition to diarrhea.

• If in addition to diarrhea Symptoms such as fever, circulatory problems, cramps, vomiting, or blood in the stool to perform.

Even if the causes of diarrhea during pregnancy are usually (hopefully) harmless, it is still bothersome in any case. Fortunately, at least the risk of infection with diarrhea-causing agents can often be avoided with good hygiene. Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing food and before eating, and clean fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Used dishes should always be washed in the dishwasher or by hand with hot water and sufficient dish soap. Finally, make sure to always thoroughly heat hot meals, especially meat, fish, and eggs, before eating.

We wish you a beautiful and trouble-free pregnancy!