Black stools in pregnancy

Black stools during pregnancy are a cause for concern for the future mother and makes you worry not only about your health, but also about the health of her unborn child. It is very important to consult a doctor in time, because the reason for this may be different. There are cases when it is worth taking immediate action, and sometimes black stools can be a simple reaction to taking medications. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose a dangerous condition for a woman and a child in time and conduct treatment.

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Causes of the black stools during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a period in a woman's life, when all internal organs adapt to the development of the fetus and to its vital activity. Development of the fetus occurs gradually and passes through various stages - first there is an organogenesis process that begins in the first trimester, and then the growth and differentiation of the child's tissues continues. But this is not all, because normal functioning in the mother's body requires normal blood flow and nutrition, which is due to the functioning of the placenta. During this period, a woman may be troubled by various problems in the form of early toxicoses that last throughout the first trimester of pregnancy and correspond to the period of placenta formation. It is in the first trimester that a woman is concerned about problems with the gastrointestinal tract in the form of lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea. In this case, very often there is a change in the nature and color of feces, which occurs under the influence of hormones and normally does not require any action.

The reasons for changing the color of feces to black during pregnancy can be different. They can be conditionally divided into those that are normal and those that require careful diagnosis.

It is very important to distinguish between conditions, when you should definitely seek qualified help when changing the color of the stool to black, and when you should not worry about it.

Often one of the etiological factors of the appearance of a black stool is the intake of products that provide such a color. These substances include food products and some medicines. If the future mother discovered a black chair, then it is necessary to remember what she ate in the last 24 hours. There are products that have pigments that can change the color of the stool due to incomplete digestion in the stomach and intestines, and insufficient conjugation in the liver. Such food products include:

1. some pigmented fruits - plum, currant, pomegranate, mountain ash, blueberries, as well as dried fruits and vegetables - prunes, tomatoes, beets;
2. by-products - liver;
3. meat products - blood sausage and other products with pork blood;
4. drinks - coffee, painted carbonated drinks.

All these products can not be completely digested and the pigment that provides their coloring, comes out with feces, which colors it in such a color. Therefore, it is necessary first of all to analyze the diet of a pregnant woman and make a correction if the color of the stool becomes normal, then the problem is solved and should not be experienced.

Very often, the color of the stool changes to black after the use of medications. These drugs include black activated charcoal, monocomponent or multicomponent iron preparations, multivitamin complexes, bismuth preparations. Very often a woman in case of manifestation of toxicosis in the early stages of pregnancy takes detoxified carbon for detoxification, after which the stool is very clearly colored black. This is due to the fact that coal in its structure is a sorbent and is not absorbed in the stomach, but is excreted in a completely un-retouched form, which promotes the staining of feces.

Often during pregnancy, a woman is recommended taking multivitamin complexes, since vitamin stores in the female body are sufficient only for the mother, and an additional source of vitamins is needed for the fetus. Such multivitamin complexes, which contain iron in their composition, also stain the stool black, since iron remains are excreted by the intestine. If during the pregnancy the expectant mother is treated for anemia, the iron preparations also contribute to the black stool, which is not a reason to call a doctor.

All these cases of black stools are not a reason for the withdrawal of iron or vitamins. If the general condition of a woman does not suffer and there are no other symptoms, then there is no need to do anything. In extreme cases, you can cancel for a while such drugs and see if the stool becomes normal.

Causes that can often lead to black stools during pregnancy and which must be taken into account and seek help are infectious diseases of the inflammatory bowel.

Normally, when taking food or when taking medications that change the color of the stool, its consistency does not change, there is no loose stool and abdominal pain.

If the black chair is a symptom of the disease, it often happens in a woman who has a history of chronic gastritis or peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum. In this case, black stools cause complications of these diseases in the form of internal intestinal bleeding. The pathogenesis of black stool development in this case is that the blood that is released into the cavity of the stomach or duodenum from the erosive vessel is connected to the gastric juice and a reaction occurs that changes the color of the blood entering the feces. This bleeding is accompanied by symptoms of abdominal pain, which are very sharp at first, then subside. Also, bleeding is accompanied by general symptoms in the form of an anemic syndrome - pallor of the skin, weakness, palpitation, cold sticky sweat on the face, dizziness. Internal bleeding is a very dangerous condition not only for a woman, but also for her child, so in case of a combination of black stool with other similar symptoms it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor. Also, to provoke bleeding can be a long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, so it can also become the etiological factor of black feces during pregnancy.

Thus, it is necessary to clearly understand when a black stool during pregnancy signals a danger, and when it is just a manifestation of the features of the diet.

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Symptoms of the black stools during pregnancy

Various symptoms from the digestive system of a pregnant woman can testify to these or other pathologies. The nature of the stool, its consistency, color, quantity - all this is an indicator of the work of the stomach, intestines, liver and pancreas. Therefore, black stools during pregnancy can be one of the symptoms of the disease.

The first clinical manifestations that may indicate intestinal bleeding are just black stools, so you need to pay attention to this symptom.

If the discoloration of the stool is accompanied by diarrhea, then we must assume an intestinal infection. In this case, the symptoms of stool changes will be accompanied by other clinical signs. In this case, there will be abdominal pains of a spasmodic or persistent nature, symptoms of intoxication in the form of fever, chills, headache, nausea and vomiting are also possible. All these clinical signs indicate intestinal infection, which requires urgent comprehensive treatment with the use of antibacterial agents. In this case, the feces has its own peculiarities - it becomes black-green and becomes liquid. This indicates not only an intestinal infection, but also a small bleeding in the intestinal cavity, which contributes to the formation of black-green stool. If the stool changes color, and the general condition of the pregnant woman does not change, then it should be related to the characteristics of the food or to taking medications.

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Complications and consequences

If the black stool during pregnancy is normal, then the consequences are not to be expected, even do not stop taking vitamins. But if the cause of black stool is intestinal bleeding, then a rapid increase in anemia can have bad consequences. It is necessary to immediately replenish the volume of lost blood and eliminate the cause of bleeding. If the black stool during pregnancy is one of the manifestations of intestinal infection, the consequence of such pathology can be not only complications from the gastrointestinal tract, but also from the course of pregnancy.

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Diagnostics of the black stools during pregnancy

It is very important to diagnose intestinal bleeding in time , one of the obvious manifestations of which is a change in the color of feces to black, and at the same time it is important to differentiate this symptom from the normal state. Therefore, it is very important to carefully examine a woman when applying.

It is very important to find out all the details and carefully collect the anamnesis. When applying to a pregnant woman, you need to clarify the duration of pregnancy, the presence of gestosis, anamnestic data on the diseases of the digestive system. It is necessary to detail the complaints and find out how many times there was a black stool, whether it was liquid, and also the presence of nausea, heartburn, vomiting, abdominal pain. It is necessary to find out details of the diet of a pregnant woman and taking medications that could affect the character of the stool. Sometimes only at this stage you can find out the cause of the black stool and do not need additional diagnostic methods. But if there are any suspicions of an intestinal bleeding or a peptic ulcer in an anamnesis, then it is necessary to conduct additional methods of research.

Analyzes that must be submitted in compulsory order in pregnancy are general clinical - a general analysis of blood and urine, a biochemical blood test, and a stool analysis. The analysis of stool needs to be carried out with bacterial examination and with the determination of sensitivity to antibiotics. If you can not identify the type of pathogen, then the exact method of diagnosis is a polymerase chain reaction. This method allows you to identify the DNA of a bacterium or a virus. That also allows you to accurately establish the diagnosis.

Coprogram is a method of microscopic examination of feces, which allows to establish the degree of dyspeptic disorders and the function of the pancreas. This study can provide data on the presence of leukocytes, red blood cells, mucus, which allows you to differentiate the intestinal infection, hemorrhoids, bleeding. It is necessary to conduct a study of feces on the response of Gregersen - this is a reaction to the latent blood. Also, if there is vomiting, you need to determine the acetone of urine.

In a general blood test in case of an inflammatory intestinal infection, leukocytosis and a shift of the formula to the left in case of bacterial intestinal infection will be determined. If there is intestinal bleeding, then anemia develops, especially if it is a prolonged chronic process. In this case, anemia will be indicated by a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin. Instrumental diagnosis of black stools during pregnancy includes mandatory ultrasound to determine the condition of the fetus, and also in a short time you can visualize the intestine.

Also, if there is a suspicion of a peptic ulcer complicated by intestinal bleeding, a mandatory instrumental examination is an esophagogastroduodenoscopy. This method has priority, because it allows to diagnose intestinal bleeding, see its cause and at the same time endoscopically conduct coagulation of the vessel that bleeds.

If there is a suspicion of a peptic ulcer, then non-invasive methods are performed, most often a respiratory test, H. Pylori determinations.

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of black stools during pregnancy should be carried out with food poisoning, intestinal infections, hemorrhoids, as well as with the normal phenomenon during pregnancy due to the use of products or medicines.

Intestinal infection or food toxicoinfection is accompanied not only by changes in stool color, but also by other symptoms from the digestive tract, as well as by intoxication syndrome. If we are talking about hemorrhoids, which often happens during pregnancy, then the feces are not entirely black, but he has veins of fresh blood, which is evident if you look closely. The coprogram with hemorrhoids will have fresh red blood cells, which confirms the localization of the process in the distal parts of the intestine. If the black stool during pregnancy is not accompanied by an increase in it or does not affect the general condition, then this is a normal phenomenon provoked by hormonal changes.

Treatment of the black stools during pregnancy

As already mentioned, treatment of black feces during pregnancy is necessary only if it is a pathological symptom and the etiology of the disease is confirmed.

In the treatment use medicamentous drugs and non-drug - alternative methods and means of homeopathy. It is very important to observe the regime and the nature of nutrition in case of intestinal infection, especially if the black stool is accompanied by nausea, vomiting and other symptoms.

The regime of a pregnant woman should exclude excessive loads, but at the same time it is necessary to have minimal physical activity, therefore, a room mode is recommended.

With black feces during pregnancy to maintain body weight and as an important stage of treatment, one must adhere to a diet. Since the processes of normal peretravlivaniya, suction and evacuation function are violated, it is necessary that the products are sparing.

Basic principles of the diet:

• Food should be taken in boiled form, warm, not hot and not cold, as this is an additional load on the digestive tract.
• The caloric content of food should be the smallest, without complex saturated fats and with the restriction of dietary fiber, as they stimulate the motility of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Sour, salty, smoked products - to exclude completely.
• It is necessary to exclude "simple" carbohydrates - sweets, biscuits, cookies, sweets. Fresh white bread should also be excluded, since it has the property of forming adhesive processes in the intestine.
• The diet must be replenished with complex carbohydrates, the ideal option is oatmeal, which has an enveloping effect.
• It is necessary to eat protein daily in the form of boiled meat, fish, and legumes must be excluded.
• Dairy products should be limited, as they cause fermentation.
• To drink it is necessary in sufficient quantity, it is desirable to exclude juices with a high level of glucose, as it also causes fermentation in the intestine. It is better to take cooked fruit drinks, alkaline water, warm tea.
• The amount of fruit should also be limited, since this is an additional load on the digestive tract.

These are the main principles of dietary nutrition, which are an obligatory component of complex treatment of stool disorders during pregnancy.

In the case of a proven intestinal infection of bacterial etiology, which is the cause of black stools during pregnancy, it is compulsory to perform complex treatment using an antibiotic, a probiotic and a sorbent. But drug treatment has its limitations, since many drugs are contraindicated in pregnancy. When prescribing antibiotics, preference should be given to those drugs that do not affect the fetus. At the same time, it is necessary to monitor the child's condition and be ready to take action in the event of complications.

If a woman experienced pronounced vomiting and diarrhea, it is necessary to replenish the water balance by the oral route, which is pathogenetically an important stage of treatment, and also in the case of intestinal bleeding replenish the volume of circulating blood.

In case of proven infectious genesis of black and liquid stool in pregnancy, the necessary component of treatment is the appointment of antibiotics, but given the possible negative effects on the fetus, you must choose the type and dose. In pregnant women, colitis should not be prescribed intestinal antiseptics of the nitrofuran series, as well as antibiotics of the fluoroquinolones group, since they have a pronounced effect on fetal development. Preference is given to the antibiotic group of cephalosporins, which are relatively safe because of the lack of proven harmful effects on the child. Therefore, with bacterial intestinal lesions in pregnant women, the drug of choice is cephalosporins.

Cefepime is a beta-lactam antibiotic from the 4 th generation group of cephalosporins, which has a pronounced bactericidal effect on gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, that is, it covers a huge range of microbes. Produced in the form of powder for injection 1 gram. The drug is used in a dose of 1 gram per day, is administered intramuscularly or intravenously at intervals of 12 hours. The course of treatment is 7-10 days.

Contraindications to prescription are allergic reactions to penicillins or other beta-lactam antibiotics.

There was no adverse effect on the fetus during pregnancy. Side effects are possible on the part of the gastrointestinal tract, allergic manifestations, reactions of the nervous system in the form of headache, drowsiness, dizziness.

Antibacterial therapy for colitis during pregnancy should be carried out with strict control of the condition of the mother and fetus. It is important to conduct antibiotic sensitivity before the appointment of therapy and further guided by the results.

To date, there is a huge amount of sorbents, but some of them are preferred because of the possibility of taking during pregnancy. Black liquid stool of any genesis is accompanied by a violation of the excretory function of the intestine and the accumulation of a huge number of toxins and metabolic products, so the use of sorbents allows you to clean the intestines and resume normal flora.

Smecta is a naturally occurring sorbent that is able to adsorb viruses and bacteria, and also has a protective effect by stabilizing the mucous-bicarbonate barrier and increasing the amount of mucus. The drug reduces the symptoms of bloating and heartburn.

Produced in bags of 3 grams.

The drug can be used during pregnancy and lactation, because it is not absorbed, but is withdrawn in an unchanged form. Side effects occur rarely, allergic reactions may occur. The drug is contraindicated with intestinal obstruction and hypersensitivity to it. Precautions - should be taken with an interval of at least 2 hours with other medicines, because it reduces their absorption.

Dosage - 3 grams of substance (one sachet) should be diluted in half a glass of warm water and taken 3 times a day, the course - 5-7 days.

During treatment with antibiotics, and also considering the violation of normal intestinal biocenosis with black stool in pregnant women, it is necessary to prescribe probiotics in a complex therapy.

Linex is a drug that contains lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria and contributes to the normalization of the intestinal flora and also has antidiarrheal action. Available in the form of capsules 1 gram. The drug has no significant side effects, it can be used during pregnancy because of. Dosage - 2 capsules 3 times a day after meals, treatment for colitis for at least three days.

As an anesthetic, most often used antispasmodics, which can further reduce the tone of the uterus.

But-spa (Drotaverin) is an antispasmodic drug widely used in surgery and gynecology. It is available in tablets in a dosage of 40 milligrams, as well as in ampoules at the same dose of 2 milliliters. Side effects of the drug - a tachycardia, a sensation of hot flushes to the face, increased sweating, dizziness, allergic reactions. Expressed harm to the fetus is not detected, because the medicine does not penetrate the hematoplacental barrier. Contraindications for use are closed-angle glaucoma, prostatic hyperplasia. The drug is used in colitis in a pregnant woman to relieve spasm of the intestine with pain. Dosage - 40 mg per reception. You can take as a pill, but it is better to inject in the same dose, no more than 3 times a day.

Vitaminotherapy in the acute period of intestinal bleeding is better not to conduct.

Physiotherapy is recommended only during the period of remission, especially for peptic ulcer disease, can not be used in an acute period of the disease, as this can provoke complications.

Operative treatment of black stools during pregnancy is not used, only surgical interventions are possible in the event of serious complications.

Alternative treatment of black stools during pregnancy

Alternative methods of treating colitis are widely used by future mothers because of minimal harm to the child. There are many treatments with the use of both herbs and alternative remedies and homeopathic medicines. The main effect of such treatment is a reparative effect in case of gastric ulcer and anti-anemic action.

Basic methods of alternative treatment:

• Clears from sea buckthorn oil promote the healing of the intestinal mucosa, in the case of black stool due to erosion of the mucosa. For the preparation of enemas you need a simple sea buckthorn oil, which can be bought at the pharmacy. Then you need to collect 5 milliliters of oil in a pear and spend an enema. During pregnancy, it is necessary to consult a doctor before using such enemas, since it depends on the period of pregnancy.
• Tincture of propolis reduces inflammation of the intestinal wall, promotes the regeneration of the epithelium and has a bactericidal effect. To make the tincture, 10 grams of propolis should be boiled in boiled water for about 20 minutes, this solution should be infused for at least an hour, then applied inward on a tablespoon 2 times a day.
• The use of natural remedy - mummy - is widely used in the treatment of colitis. This substance has a pronounced anti-inflammatory, regenerating, analgesic effect. To prepare the preparation, you need to dissolve 100 milligrams of mumiy in a tablespoon of water and take it 2 times a day for seven days. Such a solution can inhibit the normal intestinal microflora, so it is necessary to take probiotics.
• The tincture of starch, which is prepared from one tablespoon of starch, dissolved in a glass of warm water, promotes the normalization of stool color and is an antidiarrhoea.

Herbal treatment also has its advantages, as phytotherapy in addition to local action has a general soothing effect.

• The leaves of the immortelle and St. John's wort must be dried, boiled for five minutes and insisted for ten minutes, then cooled and take a quarter cup three times a day.
• Infusion of chamomile, which is prepared from three tablespoons of chamomile leaves, which are brewed in a liter of boiled water. Before taking a spoon of honey and take half a cup 3 times a day.
• Sage in the amount of 2 tablespoons is brewed in boiled water and insisted, then take half a glass 2-3 times a day.

Homeopathic remedies are widely used with a black stool during pregnancy. The basic preparations:

• Nux vomica-Homaccord - a combined homeopathic preparation, has an anti-inflammatory effect on the intestinal mucosa. Produced in drops, dosage - 10 drops per tablespoon of water 3 times a day. Side effects in the form of an allergic rash.
• Mucosa compositum is a homeopathic remedy that has a regenerative, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory effect. Also, the drug has a mucolytic effect and is capable of enhancing intestinal motility. It is available in the form of a solution for injection in a dose of 2.2 ml. Dosage - 2.2 ml intramuscularly or subcutaneously, with acute conditions once a day, and with chronic colitis once a week. It is not contraindicated in pregnancy, side effects can be in the form of allergic manifestations.
• Traumeel S is a complex homeopathic remedy, which is available in the form of tablets and injections. Has anti-inflammatory, regenerating effect. Dosage in acute period - 1 ampoule 2.2 ml per day, later or for chronic colitis take 1 tablet 3 times a day.
• Viburkol is a homeopathic preparation that has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, soothing effect. Produced in the form of rectal suppositories. Apply one suppository 2-3 times a day. Possible reception during pregnancy, side effects are not frequent in the form of allergic reactions. Contraindications to the use of the drug is not revealed.

Prevention

Prevention measures are nonspecific, which exclude all possible causes of black stool development. When pregnancy is necessary to adhere to the rules of proper nutrition, which ensure a normal caloric intake of food and the full value of food with a balanced composition of trace elements. It is necessary to limit products that cause fermentation and are strong stimulants of intestinal motility.

Preventive measures should also be observed in the form of avoiding contact with infectious patients and hygienic measures - hand washing and food before use. In the case of a history of peptic ulcer, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment before pregnancy in order to avoid complications during pregnancy.

Black stools during pregnancy can be a symptom of a certain pathology, and can be a normal phenomenon, so you should correctly differentiate these conditions and promptly treat to prevent complications. You need to pay attention to any symptoms that are alarming in pregnancy, because it's about the health of the baby's future. Chronic diseases need to be treated before pregnancy so that pregnancy has gone well, so take care of your health!

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