Pregnancy has to deal with lots minor ailments. We have already published a blog post on Constipation today let’s talk about how to handle diarrhea during pregnancy.
Diarrhea is less common during pregnancy and is not the result of fluctuating hormones; generally diarrhea tends to be caused by something that originates outside the body.
“Diarrhea is nothing but the passage of loose or watery stools at least 3 or more times in a day (or more frequently than usual).”
Ok now let’s have a look on what puts any pregnant lady at risk of Diarrhea?
Virus / bacteria / stomach flu / intestinal parasites /food poisoning – If you suspect any of these people then contact doctor immediately. Medications: Sometimes prenatal Calcium / vitamin cause loose stools, in that case change of brands makes you feel better.
Dietary changes.
Eating foods that contain lots of sugar or alcohol.
If you not having a good pregnancy walks.
Had something uncooked.
My personnel experience:
I experienced diarrhea near my due date, which might be because our body prepares itself for labour. But that doesn’t mean your labour is very close, so don’t get alarmed. Some MoMsters will not even experience diarrhea, each mother’s experience will be different.
Action steps /Remedies for dealing with diarrhea: Pregnant women should talk to health professionals before consuming any herbal medicines/ home remedies.
In the Morning, drink ginger water: Add a few tablespoons of freshly grated or finely chopped ginger to a cup of water and boil for 5 minutes. This remedy helps to removes gastritis and reduces intensity of diarrhea.
Drink ajwain water: Add 1 teaspoon to a cup of boiling water. Stir, let it cool and then drink.
Take probiotics like curd.
ORS should be continued as long as diarrhea lasts.
Drink plenty of water to rehydrate your body.
For dinner: have jeera rice which is good for easy digestion
Till loose motion stops try to avoid milk products.
Avoid colas, coffee, tea and other soft drink, high sugar in these drinks can draw water from your stomach, making diarrhea even worse.
Stay at home and get plenty of rest. Dear MoMsters even after implementing all of these elements and still struggling to recover, then you need to consult doctor for further investigation.
Note:
Do not take an antidiarrheal medication without consulting your doctor.
Please don’t lift weight.
Prevention: “Don’t get frighten by seeing the long list, in short these are very common precautions for your good health.”
Avoid junk food during pregnancy.
Drink plenty of water.
Consume more fruits, at least three servings a day.
Don’t lie down immediately after eating; go for a short walk which helps in proper digestion.
Use clean washroom; make sure the toilet seats, flush handles, taps are cleaned daily.
Do not eat foods from unhygienic place.
Do not drink juice or milkshake from outside vendors, because adding raw milk for the preparation of milkshake will leads to infection. Moreover avoid an ice cube which is made of tap water.
Fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly rinsed in clean water.
Avoid raw or uncooked meat/egg.
Do not leave the left over food for next day.
Avoid fatty and spicy foods: because pregnant women are prone to acidity having those will increase the acidity.
When do I need to see a doctor? Generally Diarrhea doesn’t last as long and infact it is less common during pregnancy. Mild case isn’t anything to really worry about, but if you find you have severe diarrhea (more than 3 watery stools a day)
Stools that is bloody.
experiencing fever.
severe abdominal pain
Signs of dehydration
If you have any of these symptoms, then visit your doctor ASAP. Have a safe pregnancy. Hope this post is helpful…. Take care.”
Today I’m sharing my tips for how to handle constipation, one of the nastiest pregnancy symptoms. 🙁
Constipation is a common complaint during pregnancy and it is very uncomfortable. It occurs in about 11-40% of the women. By definition, Constipation is described as hard, a dry stool which is difficult /painful to pass out of the body.
Constipation treatment during pregnancy needs special attention due to concerns for the safety of the mother and child. For example, anthraquinone laxatives such as danthron are associated with congenital malformation etc.
Constipation cannot be managed by medication alone. Better short- and long-term outcomes are achieved with lifestyle changes, including a proper diet.
Understanding the symptoms of constipation:
A recent change in bowel habits
Straining
Bowel movements that feel incomplete
Lumpy or hard stools
Gas pains or a bloated abdomen
Loss of appetite
Let us understand the causes of constipation during pregnancy.
Here we go;
Constipation during pregnancy is mainly caused by hormonal changes. The increase in the progesterone hormone relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract, which slows down the movement of food through the body, causing constipation.
Routine iron supplementation in the pregnant population.
Fetal development in late gestation can cause constipation.
Decreased physical activity during pregnancy.
and then, finally Constipation.
That means it is purely relay on an individual lifestyle, food, sleep, work pattern. The good news is that there are remedies for constipation, please go through it.
Safe Remedies
Drink plenty of water:
Proper hydration helps support your growing baby and also helps to prevent from constipation, so keep the water bottle handy, drink up and check your urine – pale yellow is a sign that you’re on the right track.
If possible drink one glass of warm water after you wake up from bed, trust me that’s a good habit to be healthy.
Eat more fibers:
It’s a great way to eat fresh fruits (pears, apples) after every meal and also include in your diet vegetables such as (beans, carrot, cauliflower, kohlrabi / nukal, spinach, peas), whole-grain cereals and legumes like lentils which helps to reduce constipation.
Regular safe exercise:
Keeping active is one of the single most important things, which helps increase muscle activity in your intestines to help your stool pass more easily. (I preferred doing safe household work during my pregnancy and I felt great – This included sweeping home, using the stairs instead of lift, after every meal a short walk with my husband for 15- 20 mins). But considering on safer side, avoid any activities that may put you at risk for falling or injury.
Is the consumption of probiotics helpful in constipation?
I would say yes, Probiotics are known as positive and friendly bacteria and includes two very famous types of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium which helps to improve gut health and soften stools.
Probiotics like yogurt, Yakult can alter the colonic flora and might improve bowel function.
Note:
If you strain to poo because of severe constipation, then it increases the risk of developing piles. Hence treat constipation before the symptoms worsen.
Go to the restroom when you feel the first urge.
If you are a lover of coffee, tea, and other soft drinks, then please avoid for your good health.
If you are taking iron supplements (used to treat anaemia) and found that makes you constipated, then request your doctor to prescribe a different brand.
When do you need to see a doctor?
If your constipation doesn’t improve with home remedies and lifestyle change or if you feel severe or sharp abdominal pain, particularly if you are also bloated, and if you find thin pencil-like stools, pain in your rectum then talk to your doctor immediately for further treatment.
Remember constipation can be the cause of piles, so if you notice anything uncommon in your bowel movements, do get it diagnosed.
So, MoMsters I hope this content might be helpful for you to understand and say goodbye to stress. 🙂
Now, I request you to share your valuable feedback… 🙂
Reference:
Sana Zahoor, Masroor Ellahi Babar, Muhammad Mohsin Javed, Tanveer Hussain. Constipation in pregnancy: causes and remedies: Progress in Nutrition 2018; Vol. 20, Supplement 1: 305-311.
Mirghafourvand M, Homayouni Rad A, Mohammad Alizadeh Charandabi S, Fardiazar Z, Shokri K. The Effect of Probiotic Yogurt on Constipation in Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial, Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2016; 18(11):e39870.
