Diarrhea during pregnancy – acute or chronic?
Basically, a doctor speaks of diarrhea if you have bowel movements more than three times a day. The consistency varies between soft, mushy or runny diarrhea.
Pregnancy is a time when some women experience mild diarrhea, usually alternating with constipation and flatulence. However, acute severe diarrhea due to an infection is also possible. If the symptoms persist for longer than four weeks, doctors speak of chronic diarrhea.
Possible causes of diarrhea during pregnancy
Diarrhea is not one of the “typical” complaints of expectant mothers – the pregnancy hormones tend to cause constipation. Rather, mild diarrhea is often the result of a change in diet: many women turn to healthier foods during pregnancy, such as those with lots of fiber. The bowel sometimes reacts to this with diarrhea. Pregnant women usually only need a little patience until their digestion has adapted to the new situation. For the healthy development of your child, you should nevertheless continue to give preference to healthy foods.
As the pregnancy progresses, the growing uterus puts more and more pressure on the intestines and impairs bowel movements. This can result in constipation and diarrhea.
Other causes of diarrhea during pregnancy are usually the same as outside of pregnancy. Diarrhea can therefore be caused, for example, by food allergies or intolerances, infections with viruses, bacteria or parasites, food poisoning, stress or poor diet and lifestyle. However, diarrhea during pregnancy can also be caused by traveler’s diarrhea. Irritable bowel syndrome and chronic inflammatory bowel disease can also be responsible for diarrhea – even if you are not pregnant.
Diarrhea during pregnancy: when should you be careful?
Severe diarrhea during pregnancy lasting more than three days can sometimes be dangerous. The severe loss of fluids dries out the body – it becomes dehydrated. Vital minerals are also lost along with the fluid. This can lead to a potassium deficiency (hypokalemia), for example. This can be critical for mother and child.
It is therefore advisable to see a doctor if you have prolonged and/or severe diarrhea during pregnancy. The same applies if you feel very weak and exhausted and feel no improvement or if the diarrhea is associated with pain, cramps, circulatory problems, fever, a general feeling of illness and/or even blood in the stool.
Any diarrhea during pregnancy can also lead to a bacterial infection of the vaginal environment through smear infection (bacterial vaginosis). This can trigger premature labor, rupture of the amniotic sac and premature birth and must therefore also be treated.
Diarrhea during pregnancy: what you can do yourself
In principle, the same general tips apply for harmless diarrhea during pregnancy as for diarrhea outside of pregnancy. To prevent a serious loss of fluids and salt, you should drink enough. For example, still mineral water, clear broth and tea are suitable (see below). Rest and warmth are also helpful. You should also try to avoid malnutrition.
The following dietary measures help with recovery:
- Avoid milk, coffee beans and acidic drinks such as fruit juices.
- Fennel tea has a soothing and calming effect.
- Chamomile tea has a soothing effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines.
- The tannins in black tea have a constipating effect.
- Eat easily digestible foods such as noodle soup, toast or rusks.
- Avoid eggs, meat, butter, fatty foods and flatulent vegetables (cabbage, pulses).
- Carrots, grated raw apples and mashed bananas have a stuffing effect. Bananas also provide potassium.
Medication for diarrhea during pregnancy
To counteract the increased loss of fluids caused by diarrhea during pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe an electrolyte replacement solution. Furthermore, natural medicines such as charcoal tablets, apple pectin and kaolin (clay/porcelain clay) are considered relatively safe for diarrhea during pregnancy. However, you should first consult a doctor before taking them.
The effect of pharmaceutical drugs against diarrhea, the so-called antidiarrheal drugs, is based on the immobilization of the gastrointestinal muscles. Special care should be taken with these drugs during pregnancy. Your doctor must carefully weigh up the risks and benefits. Therefore, only take anti-diarrheal medication during pregnancy after consulting your doctor!
