Diarrhea in early pregnancy: does it happen, is it dangerous, what to do?

Diarrhea during early pregnancy is a common occurrence. It can occur as a natural change in connection with the onset of pregnancy, and also indicate some pathologies. Thus, when considering the question of whether diarrhea in early pregnancy can be a normal symptom, all associated factors should be taken into account and a specialist should be consulted.

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Causes early pregnancy diarrhea

There are a number of causes of diarrhea during early pregnancy. The pathogenesis of diarrhea in the first trimester may be as follows:

• hormonal processes;
• reaction to taking multivitamin complexes, iron-containing medications;
• exceeding the recommended dose of laxatives when there is difficulty passing stool;
• eating incompatible foods due to new food preferences;
• infectious diseases;
• gastrointestinal pathologies;
• consequence of increased anxiety (psychosomatics);
• food poisoning after expiration date.

Risk factors primarily include disregard for food safety rules and the presence of chronic diseases.

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Symptoms early pregnancy diarrhea

The first sign of diarrhea is loose stool and frequent bowel movements. Such a symptom as diarrhea during early pregnancy may also be accompanied by accompanying symptoms.

Diarrhea and vomiting in early pregnancy in combination are a false sign of toxicosis. Thus, according to statistics, 70% of pregnant women feel nausea and vomiting in the first trimester. It is mistakenly believed that diarrhea in the morning in early pregnancy in combination with vomiting is a normal phenomenon during the gestation period. However, diarrhea is not a sign of toxicosis. Diarrhea and nausea in early pregnancy can be a sign of:

• poisoning from poor quality or expired food products;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases of the stomach and intestines;
• side effects from taking certain medications;
• experienced stress.

Toxicosis and diarrhea during early pregnancy are not a common occurrence associated with changes in the body, so if nausea, vomiting and diarrhea occur simultaneously, you should see a doctor.

Temperature and diarrhea in early pregnancy may be symptoms of developing infectious pathology. In this case, you should immediately seek medical help.

Black diarrhea during early pregnancy may be a sign of intestinal bleeding. Dark liquid feces are often found after taking iron-containing drugs. If a pregnant woman takes these medications during the period of dark diarrhea, then she should first inform her doctor about this fact and stop taking the drug.

Green diarrhea during early pregnancy indicates poisoning or an infectious pathology.

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Complications and consequences

Diarrhea in the first trimester of pregnancy is fraught with some consequences and complications, such as:

• dehydration, especially with prolonged and severe diarrhea in early pregnancy;
• hypertonicity of the uterus;
• termination of pregnancy;
• penetration of infectious agents through the placenta in the event of infectious pathologies.

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Diagnostics early pregnancy diarrhea

Initially, diarrhea during early pregnancy is diagnosed by a general examination of the patient and a physical examination. Recommendations for a proctologist examination are also likely.

If you have diarrhea, you should have certain tests done, such as:

• coprogram;
• bacteriological culture;
• general or biochemical blood test;
• fecal occult blood test.

In some cases, instrumental diagnostics in the form of an ultrasound examination of the gastrointestinal tract is prescribed.

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics is performed to determine the cause of this symptom. Since diarrhea can be a symptom of various conditions (infectious pathologies, inflammatory diseases of the stomach or intestines, poisoning), it is necessary to accurately identify the cause in order to prescribe adequate therapy.

Treatment early pregnancy diarrhea

During the gestation period, you should not take medications without a specialist's recommendation. In most situations, a doctor may prescribe enterosorbents:

• Smecta (3 grams of the drug are taken 3 times a day for 3 days to one week. Rarely, a side effect in the form of constipation is noted, in which case the amount of the drug taken is reduced. Contraindications are hypersensitivity to the components and intestinal obstruction);
• Enterosgel (take 15 grams of the drug 3 times a day. The average duration of treatment is from 1 to 2 weeks. In case of side effects in the form of constipation, which may occur in the first days of taking the drug, an enema is prescribed. Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components and intestinal obstruction).

Oral rehydration solutions may be recommended:

• Regidron (the contents of 1 sachet are dissolved in 1 liter of drinking water and taken after each bowel movement at a rate of 10 milliliters per 1 kilogram of weight. Contraindications are arterial hypertension, hyperkalemia, diabetes mellitus. In case of overdose, hypernatremia or hyperkalemia may be observed);
• Humana Electrolyte (prescribed 2 to 8 times a day (after each bowel movement) 200 ml of solution prepared at the rate of 1 sachet per 250 ml of drinking water. Contraindication is individual intolerance to the components.)

If diarrhea is a consequence of taking a multivitamin complex, it should be replaced with a more suitable one.

Folk treatment for diarrhea involves taking the following remedies:

• blueberry jelly (take 250 milliliters 2-3 times a day);
• pomegranate peel decoction (1 tbsp. of dried peel is infused in 250 milliliters of boiled drinking water, taken throughout the day);
• rice broth (prepared at the rate of 1 tbsp. of rice per 500 ml of water, take 50 milliliters every 2-3 hours);
• starch (1 teaspoon of starch is dissolved in 250 ml of water and consumed every hour during the day).

Treatment of diarrhea during early pregnancy with herbs such as chamomile, St. John's wort, Arctic raspberry, motherwort, mint is possible as an adjuvant therapy. In this case, you should consult a specialist, since herbal treatment can cause termination of pregnancy.

Homeopathy may be prescribed, in particular medications such as:

• Aloe;
• Chamomilla;
• Croton Tiglium;
• Sulfur.

The dosage during pregnancy is prescribed by a homeopathic doctor. Side effects are possible in case of overdose or hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Physiotherapy treatment is usually not prescribed.

Prevention

To prevent diarrhea in the early stages, you must first follow food safety rules, which will help you avoid poisoning:

• thermal processing of food
• cleaning products before consumption
• drinking clean water

You should avoid going to places where you may be exposed to infectious diseases and avoid stress.

If diarrhea is caused by hormonal imbalances, preventive measures may not bring results. In this case, you should consult a doctor.

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Forecast

With adequate treatment and timely referral to a specialist, the prognosis for such a symptom as diarrhea during early pregnancy is favorable.

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