Diarrhea during pregnancy can be a distressing and concerning symptom, particularly during the third trimester. While diarrhea is a common complaint during pregnancy, it can still cause concern, as it can be a symptom of a range of issues. It is important to understand the causes of diarrhea during pregnancy, and how to treat it, so that pregnant women can feel informed and supported. This blog post will provide an overview of the causes of diarrhea during pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester, and offer advice on how to prevent and manage it.
What Are Common Symptoms of the Third Trimester of Pregnancy?
Morning sickness, fatigue, and other symptoms that first appeared earlier in pregnancy typically go away by the third trimester for most women, but not all of them.
Common symptoms of the third trimester of pregnancy include:
- Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication in which high blood pressure (hypertension) and signs of organ damage appear in a pregnant woman after 20 weeks of pregnancy. If swelling is sudden or extreme, or if you gain a lot of weight quickly, talk to your doctor right away.
Why diarrhea may occur Normally, during pregnancy, the entire bowel department immediately slows down. According to Suzanne Wong, an OB/GYN at St. Luke’s Hospital, if you have loose stools, it’s likely brought on by outside factors like a sudden change in diet, prenatal vitamins or other medications, the stomach flu, or in severe cases, food poisoning. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto.
What you can do about it The good news is that there are techniques for slowing down situations where things are moving a little too, um, quickly. Treating diarrhea during pregnancy the same way you would treat it outside of pregnancy is the best course of action: removing potential triggers (if you believe your vitamin or other medications are to blame, think about switching them out) and problematic foods, “including dairy products, and anything with an abundance of sugar or caffeine, such as juices and carbonated drinks,” advises Wong. Instead, eat a lot of foods that are known to be easy on your stomach, such as crackers and toast, applesauce, bananas, soups, vegetables like green beans, carrots, or sweet potatoes.
Since dehydration can both cause and exacerbate certain symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, swelling, dizziness, and even preterm labor, hydration is extremely important during pregnancy as well. Try to keep a bottle of water or a sports drink close by even if you have severe diarrhea.
The release of the chemical prostaglandin, which makes your uterus contract and is also the reason you might find yourself using the restroom more frequently during your period, means that diarrhea will frequently appear in the third trimester. According to Wong, some women experience a severe case of the runs just before giving birth, and that is completely normal, albeit unpleasant.
Although constipation is a more well-known side effect of pregnancy, diarrhea affects one-third of pregnant women.
However, if you’re in your third trimester and getting close to your due date, your diarrhea is probably a sign of impending labor. Consider it your body’s natural way of cleaning up and preparing for the impending birth of your child. Of course, you should see a doctor right away if your symptoms get worse.
Nobody likes diarrhea, whether they are pregnant or not, but for many expectant mothers, it is (unfortunately) a frequent visitor in the latter stages of pregnancy.
Start by paying attention to what you’ve been eating recently because diarrhea is typically brought on by dietary changes, regardless of whether you’re expecting a baby or not. Try avoiding foods like prunes that will make you run to the restroom and replacing them with foods like bananas that will “bulk up” your poop. Most importantly: Don’t forget to hydrate. You need to replenish all the liquid you’re losing.
Please be aware that The Bump and the materials and information contained therein are not intended to be, and do not constitute, medical advice or diagnosis of any kind. Always talk to a licensed doctor or other health care provider about your individual situation.
FAQ
When should I worry about diarrhea in my third trimester?
Diarrhea lasts more than two days. There is blood in the stool. It is accompanied by a fever. You suspect food poisoning such as listeriosis, which can pass through the placenta and put the baby at risk.
When should I be worried about diarrhea during pregnancy?
What causes diarrhea in late pregnancy?
What can I take for diarrhea 3rd trimester?