Diarrhea in pregnancy? What to do? Diarrhea in early pregnancy

The work of the digestive system during pregnancy changes. The reasons for the changes are not only changes in the location of internal organs in the abdominal cavity, but also another hormonal background, another state of the immune system. Most often during pregnancy, there is constipation, but in some cases the body reacts unusually.

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a frequent and fluid stool. Food moves through the intestines due to its peristalsis, that is, uniform contractions of the smooth musculature of the intestinal walls. If these contractions are not sufficiently active, constipation occurs, and if accelerated - diarrhea. Constipation is, for the most part, pathology, and diarrhea is an adequate response of the body to intoxication. The fact is that the products that are in the intestine are gradually absorbed into the blood. If toxins are present in the intestine, it is better to stop absorption, and therefore it is necessary to release the body from these products as soon as possible. With accelerated movement of food through the intestine does not have time to absorb the liquid, so the chair in this case will be liquid.

Causes of Diarrhea

Diarrhea occurs in all cases when the peristalsis of the intestine is increased . And this reaction can be caused by various factors.

First of all, it's an infection. If the infectious agent is a virus, diarrhea is accompanied by a number of symptoms: nausea, fever, often catarrhal phenomena in the nose and throat. But a viral defeat does not happen for a long time. All symptoms disappear, usually in a few days.

Bacterial diseases are usually more serious. Diarrhea in this case is accompanied by a high temperature and strong intoxication of the body. Such a disease will not pass like a virus, in a week. Specialized treatment is needed.

The reaction of the intestine to infection is understandable and natural. But sometimes the reinforcement of peristalsis appears as if it were a mistake. For example, diarrhea in early pregnancy often coincides with other manifestations of toxicosis.

Sometimes, by intensifying peristalsis, the intestine reacts not to infection, but to parasites or dysbiosis.

Diarrhea can be a symptom of an infectious disease or a manifestation of pregnancy itself. With an early pregnancy, diarrhea is often a sign of trouble, while diarrhea often predicts early delivery at the very end of the term.

Diarrhea in early pregnancy

In the first trimester, the uterus is still slightly enlarged, it does not change the position of the internal organs, so it seems that they should work, as before. But with early pregnancy, diarrhea is caused by changes in the immune system.

When a woman is in a position, the mother's body must accept a genetically completely different person and not reject it. Of course, the mother and child are separated by the placenta, the bladder, numerous barriers, but still the woman's immune system is somewhat depressed so that there is no reaction to the fetus.

In a state where the immune system is depressed, diseases such as dysbiosis develop, chronic infections manifest themselves.

Dysbacteriosis may well cause diarrhea during pregnancy. What to do in this case?

It all depends on the severity of the situation: if the liquid stool is two to three times a day, you need to visit the doctor in a planned order. Before consultation it is recommended to increase the amount of consumed liquid, to eat dietary food.

If the stool is not more than ten times a day, the doctor should be consulted urgently, otherwise dehydration may occur.

If intensive diarrhea has begun during pregnancy, what should I do, especially if it is accompanied by vomiting? This is the situation when you need to call a doctor "ambulance". Because it is not possible to adequately replenish the fluid in this case.

If the situation is acute, the most important task is to stabilize the condition of the pregnant woman. And after that, you must pass the test for dysbiosis, crops for infection, coprogram.

All these tests will help to find out the cause of the problem and prescribe a treatment.

Infectious diarrhea. Viruses

An ordinary virus can cause diarrhea during pregnancy. What to do in this case?

No matter how hard the woman tolerated such an infection, the disease is rarely prolonged. The first thing to do is to stabilize the general condition. At home, this can be done by solutions for rehydration, for example, the drug "Regidron" is shown. If the condition is severe, it is better to hospitalize the patient, because in this case often use droppers with ion solutions.

To diagnose the viral infection can be using an electron microscope, a PCR reaction or a serological method. But usually the diagnosis is made purely clinically, that is, the treatment begins, and the diagnosis is confirmed later.

If rotavirus caused diarrhea during pregnancy, what to do and how to eat properly? Diet is a necessary condition for recovery in case of viral diarrhea. It is necessary to exclude the use of fresh milk, fatty foods, certain vegetables, which enhance fermentation.

To reduce the duration of diarrhea, the following drugs are used: Smecta, Enterosgel, Polyphepanum. All of them act only locally, are not absorbed by the intestine and do not affect the course of pregnancy.

Bacteria

If a bacterial infection is the cause of diarrhea, diarrhea will be accompanied by high fever and intoxication: fever, headache, nausea. Most often, the situation does not improve for several days. All these symptoms require immediate medical attention. Diagnosis in this case is based on the results of inoculation, but treatment usually begins earlier. Unfortunately, it is impossible to cope with bacteria without antibiotics. The main thing in this case is not to get rid of the liquid stool, but to eliminate the infection. Therefore, the most modern antibacterial drugs should be used for treatment. Preparations "Regidron", "Enterosgel" or "Smecta" in this case - only auxiliary tools.

Poisoning

Sometimes diarrhea is only a reaction to getting toxins inside. Intestine accelerates peristalsis, trying to get rid of them. In this case, do not take any medication to normalize the stool immediately. But if it did not normalize within 24 hours, measures should be taken.

Than to treat diarrhea during pregnancy?

There are drugs that inhibit intestinal peristalsis. They are effective, but categorically contraindicated in pregnancy, so you have to be content with ordinary household remedies.

Boiled rice, along with a decoction - an excellent remedy for diarrhea during pregnancy. If there is no appetite, it is better to drink only a decoction. Another safe and harmless means is a decoction of blueberries.

You can use a thick jelly, compote of dried fruits. And here it is better not to use dried fruits.

Diarrhea before childbirth

Not always diarrhea is a pathology and an alarming sign. Diarrhea at the 38th week of pregnancy can be a sign of impending childbirth. The uterus prepares for active work, and the intestine is freed from toxins. If diarrhea is not accompanied by symptoms of intoxication, fever or loss of appetite, there is no reason to worry.

But in some cases, there is a backlash. Diarrhea at the 38th week of pregnancy due to poisoning or a viral infection can stimulate uterine contraction and accelerate the onset of labor.

To act in this case it is necessary the same as always: replenishment of the volume of fluid, home remedies for the normalization of peristalsis. Fever and intoxication should prompt you to see a doctor.

Diarrhea is a symptom that needs to be addressed, even if it is not often and does not reduce the quality of life. It is necessary to find out its cause and conduct treatment.