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Diarrhea in pregnancy
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
Diarrhea during pregnancy can be caused by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, in particular, the large intestine, disorders of the nervous system, taking medications, various general diseases, as well as toxicosis, infectious agents, since it is during pregnancy that a woman's body reacts especially acutely to food toxins.
Problems associated with bowel dysfunction during pregnancy are experienced by most women. The disease and diarrhea during pregnancy are diagnosed based on general symptoms. A stool test and bacteriological examination can help determine the cause of diarrhea.
In most cases, diarrhea during pregnancy makes itself known in the early stages, which is primarily due to hormonal changes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman.
Stool during diarrhea can be of different frequency and consistency - mushy, foamy, watery, with bloody discharge or mucus. Diarrhea during pregnancy is accompanied by quite uncomfortable and painful sensations, nausea, bloating, flatulence, chills, general malaise.
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Treatment pregnancy diarrhea
If diarrhea during pregnancy is moderate, a corrected diet may be sufficient as a treatment. Fatty, spicy, and dairy products should be excluded from the diet. As a preventive measure, you can prepare rice broth and drink black tea. If diarrhea during pregnancy is too intense, complete fasting may be recommended for the first day.
For diarrhea in pregnant women, a decoction of dried viburnum fruits with honey can help: one liter of boiled water should be mixed with a portion of dried viburnum fruits (about one glass), then boiled for eight to ten minutes, then strained and two to three tablespoons of honey added to the resulting mixture. The finished decoction should be consumed two to three times a day, 1/3 of a glass. Before taking any herbal medicinal mixtures, be sure to make sure that you do not have an allergic reaction to the components included in their composition.
If diarrhea during pregnancy is associated with neurological problems, it is necessary to take sedatives that are not contraindicated during pregnancy. You can brew mint, lemon balm, chamomile, motherwort, hawthorn, linden. You cannot use tranquilizers and barbiturates. Aromatic essential oils also have a good calming effect when applied to the wrists or temple area, if there is no individual intolerance to the components included in their composition.
In case of intestinal infection, antibacterial therapy is prescribed strictly as prescribed by a doctor, since independent use of medications can pose a threat not only to the health of the expectant mother, but also to the development of the fetus.
Treatment of diarrhea also includes normalization of water balance, as the body loses a lot of fluid. Therefore, with diarrhea, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids. In these cases, you can also use such drugs as rehydron, smecta, activated carbon, enterosgel, enterodesis, which remove harmful substances from the body.
Prevention
Prevention of diarrhea during pregnancy consists of normalizing and correcting the diet, observing hygiene standards, strengthening the body's defenses, taking special vitamin and mineral complexes for pregnant women (pregnavit, multitabs perinatal, vitrum prenatal, alphabet-mother's health, etc.). It is recommended to eat frequently and in small portions, it is advisable to eat boiled or steamed food, before eating vegetables and fruits they must be thoroughly washed.
Diarrhea during pregnancy causes excessive contractile activity of the intestine, which in turn can provoke hypertonicity of the uterus and other negative consequences. Diarrhea during pregnancy in the absence of proper treatment is dangerous due to its complications, including dehydration, the threat of termination of pregnancy, general intoxication of the body. Immediately contact a gynecologist in case of any complaints.