Can diarrhea be a sign of early pregnancy?

Before the advent of ultra-sensitive tests, women themselves determined whether conception had occurred by listening to special “signals” from the body. In ancient times, diarrhea was called an important symptom of pregnancy. Diarrhea was often perceived as the first sign of pregnancy. But did loose stools really indicate the onset of a joyful event? And is diarrhea at the beginning of pregnancy dangerous for the fetus?

Very often, early in pregnancy, “stomach upset” occurs, leading to diarrhea.

Why is diarrhea dangerous and how to treat it?

Every person has encountered this disease at least once. As a rule, diarrhea is not taken seriously as a problem. Salt and water are removed from the body, which threatens dehydration.

Causes

Often the main “culprits” of diarrhea are viral or bacterial infections, changes in diet, and climate change. The problem sometimes occurs while taking antibiotics.

Treatment methods

Eliminate the cause of the disease and remove symptoms. At the same time, maintaining healthy intestinal microflora is an equally important task.

A good remedy for diarrhea is Enterol®, an antidiarrheal and antimicrobial agent containing Saccharomyces boulardii. The probiotic is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of diarrhea of ​​various etiologies.

The presence of Saccharomyces boulardii in the composition allows the drug to eliminate the symptoms and the cause of its occurrence. Enterol® normalizes intestinal microflora, providing an anti-inflammatory effect. The drug is prescribed to adults and children over 1 year of age.

Also, do not forget about contraindications. Please read the instructions carefully before use. Enterol® is not recommended for people with individual hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

What changes in the body after conception

As nature intended, after fertilization of an egg by a sperm, pregnancy can occur. Is diarrhea a symptom? The answer to this question can only be found after a detailed study of the process of restructuring the body that occurs with conception.

The meeting of the most viable egg with an egg does not guarantee pregnancy. The egg awaits its journey through the uterus to be strengthened in its walls. This takes up to 10 days. Then, for another 2-3 weeks, the foreign object is “scanned” by the body for “quality”. During this period, immunity decreases. So nature does not allow the body to get rid of the “stranger”. The woman feels unwell.

Due to the unstable functioning of the immune system at this stage of pregnancy, it is easy to catch any infection. With intestinal disease, mild indigestion is often observed, manifested as diarrhea or constipation.

The fertilized egg is securely attached to the walls of the uterus. Sometimes the process is accompanied by moderate bleeding from the vagina. After attachment, the embryo begins to develop.

The body actively produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone promotes the normal development and preservation of the fetus. Progesterone and estrogen levels vary significantly. A hormonal surge occurs.

Diarrhea as the first sign of pregnancy is not a myth.

In early pregnancy, the uterus is located relatively close to the intestines. Expectant mothers often feel discomfort: there is a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, and stool changes. The fetus grows and the uterus grows with it. When it reaches the navel, diarrhea, as a rule, ceases to bother the pregnant woman.

Ways to confirm a suspected pregnancy

Many women wonder: is diarrhea a sign of pregnancy? Doctors do not advise relying on this symptom. Even if other symptoms are present, it is advisable to undergo a modern, more accurate diagnosis. Let's look at the existing methods:

• Measuring basal temperature will help clarify the picture if pregnancy is suspected due to the development of diarrhea. Indications in the early stages vary between 36.9–37.3 °C. Measure the temperature in the rectum in the morning, immediately after waking up, while lying in bed. Read more about BT measurement→
• A pregnancy test can be purchased at any pharmacy. It allows for rapid diagnostics at home. To determine pregnancy, it is better to buy several tests from different manufacturers and follow a simple procedure. The strips are placed in a portion of morning urine. If a woman is pregnant, then hormones are concentrated in the fluid, to which the test reacts. It is worth noting that this diagnostic method does not guarantee a 100% correct answer. For confirmation, you should contact the antenatal clinic.
• Blood test for hCG levels. This hormone begins to be produced in a woman’s body after conceiving a baby. The study in question, even before the delay, will help clarify whether diarrhea is a sign of pregnancy or not. Read more about blood test for hCG→
• An ultrasound will show the most reliable result. The study allows you to establish the fact of pregnancy and the expected duration.

Taking care of their condition and the health of their offspring rests on the shoulders of future parents. In such a serious matter as pregnancy, one cannot trust only folk signs and dubious signs. Moreover, doctors in modern clinics have many methods for accurate, safe diagnosis.

Author: Tatyana Grosova, doctor, especially for Mama66

Can diarrhea be a symptom of pregnancy?

Conception is accompanied by a deterioration in the functioning of the immune system. The entire functioning of the body changes. The digestive system, due to its close proximity to the reproductive system, reacts especially acutely. Toxicosis (both mild and severe) is the first symptom that tells a woman about pregnancy. Then loose stool appears.

The main cause of diarrhea in an expectant mother is hormonal changes in the body. Even before the delay, the amount of progesterone and estrogen changes dramatically. They make the digestive system work more slowly. Thus, hormones help all important elements for fetal development enter the bloodstream. The usual food processing process is disrupted. This can cause stool upset.

Loose stools in an expectant mother are also an indicator of her mental and emotional state. Stress, fear, constant worries - everything can cause diarrhea. Mild disturbances in digestive function are short-term. Special treatment is usually not required.

It follows that diarrhea may be a sign of pregnancy. With minor changes in stool, the pregnant woman does not experience pain in the lower abdomen. There is no reason to worry. Soon the body will get used to the new hormonal levels, and the problem will disappear.

It is important to understand that diarrhea is not always a sign of the formation of a new life. It may be a symptom of gastrointestinal disease or intestinal infection. These problems require immediate resolution. Whether they are related to conception or not does not matter.

Painful sensations in the abdomen, frequent and watery stools 3 times a day are a reason to seek medical help. There is no point in inaction and assuming that diarrhea is just a harmless sign of pregnancy. Pregnant women at any stage need to be doubly careful and not self-medicate. Medicines are prescribed only by a doctor. Uncontrolled medication use can harm the baby.

Be sure to watch this video from an experienced gynecologist about the first signs of pregnancy:

Diarrhea as a sign of early pregnancy: causes of intestinal upset during conception

In the modern world, special tests help a woman find out about pregnancy. However, they do not give reliable results immediately and may be negative at the initial stage.

In addition, not every home has them in the home medicine cabinet. For many expectant mothers, their body helps them understand that conception has already occurred in the early stages.

There are a number of signs that indicate pregnancy.

Intestinal upset as a symptom of conception

Delay and absence of menstruation are not the only indicators that a woman has become pregnant. At an early stage, other symptoms associated with the characteristics of ongoing processes in the body during this period can also signal pregnancy.

After conception, pregnancy does not occur instantly. It can take 7 to 10 days for the embryo to fully attach to the uterus, and even after implantation the female body will perceive it as a foreign body for some time. Therefore, he will try to tear it away.

All this causes poor health and decreased immunity. A woman is more prone to colds and acute respiratory viral infections, as well as indigestion. Due to the close proximity of the uterus and intestines, the expectant mother may experience diarrhea, loose stools, heaviness and pressure in the abdomen.

Diarrhea without other signs of pregnancy is not a symptom. Most likely, it is caused by other reasons:

• intestinal infection;
• poisoning;
• dysbacteriosis;
• pancreatitis;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• irritable bowel syndrome.

Obvious signs include:

• breast swelling;
• increased nipple sensitivity;
• nausea;
• bloody discharge from the vagina.

Causes of loose stools during pregnancy

Diarrhea as a sign of pregnancy is common (more details in the article: This is explained by the fact that along with loose stools, many nutrients and beneficial microelements that are so necessary for the unborn baby leave the body - their deficiency can negatively affect the development of the fetus.

What could be the reasons that provoke diarrhea or constipation in a pregnant woman in the early stages of pregnancy? The main ones are:

• Hormonal changes. The main hormones, the intensive production of which occurs during pregnancy, are progesterone and estrogen. They are responsible for ensuring that the fetus receives adequate nutrition through the circulatory system, for which they help slow down the digestive system. As a result of the unusual mode of digestion of food, a woman experiences disturbances in her bowel movements. They become more frequent or rare.
• Intestinal or viral infection. In pregnant women, this problem is rarely observed due to their compliance with all nutritional rules. Those who are not yet aware of their situation may encounter the problem of diarrhea caused by this reason.
• Changes in diet. Pregnant women carefully monitor their menu, enriching it with vitamins. Often the amount of fermented milk products in the diet increases, which can lead to loose stools.
• Psychological condition. Any stress, emotional stress, or anxiety can cause diarrhea in a pregnant woman.

Normal or pathological?

Whether a symptom such as diarrhea in the first months of gestation is normal or pathological depends on the quality, duration and reasons that caused the diarrhea.

If a woman observes a minor stool disorder that does not cause her pain, this is not considered a pathological process in the body, but is considered a completely normal phenomenon during pregnancy.

Such a deviation does not pose a threat to either the fetus or the health of the mother.

Is loose stool a sure sign of pregnancy?

Diarrhea may indicate conception. But it cannot be a reliable sign. Pregnancy is indicated by the combination of the following symptoms:

• Attacks of nausea in the morning.
• Painful sensations in the chest, its tightness.
• Fast fatiguability.
• Not getting your period.

Any sign of pregnancy, including diarrhea, can be confirmed or refuted by doing home tests. The only 100% reliable way to find out whether a new life is being born is to take an hCG test. The concentration of the hormone in the blood is determined.

Do not forget that diarrhea in an expectant mother may not be associated with a banal restructuring of the body. Infections can lead to serious health problems.

Remember! Self-medication or non-treatment of the disease during pregnancy is unacceptable!

How to make sure that you are pregnant?

Diarrhea is one of the first signs of pregnancy only in combination with other symptoms. If you suspect that you may be pregnant and have diarrhea, it is rash to conclude that you are pregnant.

In order to confirm this, you need to use more accurate methods:

• For example, measure your basal temperature for several days (it will rise when pregnancy occurs, remember?);
• One proven method is to perform the test after the delay has occurred;

Test strips today can be purchased at any pharmacy; they are used for express diagnostics using morning urine (you may be interested in the article: The most sensitive pregnancy test>>>).

The substance contained in the strip will react to changes in the level of the hCG hormone, the concentration of which is maximum in the morning.

At the same time, to be sure, it is better to take 2 - 3 tests from different manufacturers, because the risk, although insignificant, of a false negative (as well as a false positive, by the way) result exists.

• Also, if menstruation is delayed, ultrasound diagnostics can be done. The specialist will determine the presence of pregnancy and the approximate due date.
• If you are worried about the onset of diarrhea and you suspect the possibility of conception, but you need to wait a few more days before the delay, donate blood to determine the level of hCG. It can be detected in the blood earlier than in the urine (read: Blood test for pregnancy>>>).

Pregnancy is a process that requires every woman to take a prudent approach to her regimen, nutrition, and well-being. Therefore, diagnose it using proven methods.

Sounding the alarm when diarrhea begins, an occasional loss of strength, or a dream with fish is, at a minimum, unreasonable.

For more information about preparing for pregnancy and how to live the first weeks of pregnancy as safely as possible, see the online course I want a child: secrets of planning the desired pregnancy>>>

I wish you that your pregnancy is only desirable!

The danger of diarrhea in the first months of pregnancy

Mild stomach upset is accompanied by minor soft stools. This phenomenon is harmless, natural and short-term. The disorder may have other causes:

• dysfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract;
• unhealthy diet or unbalanced diet;
• lack or complete absence of enzymes necessary for the functioning of the intestines;
• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• changes in diet and menu;
• infections caused by E. coli or bacteria.

Intestinal infections negatively affect the intestinal microflora.
Diarrhea occurs. The condition is dangerous for the mother and fetus. You should immediately consult a doctor if diarrhea is accompanied by at least one of the following symptoms:

1. Repeated stools (more than 3 times a day).
2. Thin and watery stool.
3. Unpleasant, putrid odor.
4. The presence of rot, mucus, veins or pieces of undigested food in the stool.
5. Body t increases.
6. Severe pain in the lower abdomen, aggravated by defecation;
7. Nausea is accompanied by vomiting.
8. Diarrhea for more than 3 days.

The signs of an intestinal infection are listed above. If these symptoms are detected, the pregnant woman should immediately seek medical help . The infection can harm the unborn baby!

If nausea and vomiting are added to diarrhea, rapid dehydration may occur. A lot of fluid is lost. All useful substances and microelements are washed out of the blood. Due to their loss, the fetus suffers. He does not receive what is necessary for development. Regular and significant loss of fluid causes changes in the composition of the blood and important biological fluids.

With an infectious lesion, not only diarrhea occurs. Toxins act in the body. A number of pathological microorganisms are strong enough to penetrate the placenta, which can lead to dire consequences for the fetus.

Although, if the infection occurred in the early stages of pregnancy, the danger is minimal. The placenta is not formed, and the embryo does not depend on the mother’s body. If the infection is stopped quickly, the unborn baby will not suffer. You also need to remember that the frequent urge to defecate causes spasms. They affect the tone of the uterus.

Immediately after conception, the fetus is not yet firmly attached to the uterus. With strong contraction of the muscles of the uterus, the embryo can be rejected by the body.

Possible complications

Frequent bowel movements are dangerous both for the expectant mother and baby, as well as for other segments of the population. There are cases that signal serious internal pathologies:

• passing loose stools more than 4 times a day;
• stool has a watery consistency;
• foul odor of feces;
• increased body temperature;
• excretion of feces containing mucus, blood, and undigested food;
• vomit;
• severe cramps;
• the duration of diarrhea is more than 3 days.

Dangerous symptoms do not indicate the onset of pregnancy. Failure to provide assistance in a timely manner can significantly affect the health of the embryo if conception does occur. Diarrhea can cause serious complications:

• dehydration of the body;
• intoxication;
• increased uterine tone;
• leaching from the body of vitamins, nutrients, amino acids necessary for the growth and development of the baby;
• miscarriage due to heavy stress with frequent bowel movements and vomiting.

The appearance of diarrhea as a single symptom should not be considered a sign of pregnancy. If you observe accompanying symptoms that cause discomfort, you should immediately consult a doctor and not take independent treatment measures to avoid harm to the baby’s health or miscarriage.

We recommend: How to quickly get rid of diarrhea at home?

Treatment of diarrhea in pregnant women

If the softening of the stool is slight and is not accompanied by unpleasant sensations, treatment is not necessary. And although there is no cause for great concern, it is necessary to reconsider your diet.

For diarrhea, the menu may include:

• black bread with bran and biscuits;
• rabbit, chicken, turkey meat;
• fermented baked milk, cottage cheese, yogurt;
• baked apples, potatoes;
• rice, oatmeal, buckwheat porridge.

During diarrhea, you should remove fatty meat, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, and fresh white bread from your diet. Fruits are also excluded: oranges, bananas, plums, apricots. Porridge lovers should remove semolina from the menu in the morning. You cannot add raisins, dried apricots and nuts to dishes.

Following the recommendations below will help get rid of diarrhea during pregnancy:

1. Do not consume soups if you have diarrhea . Rich broths have a stimulating effect on intestinal motility, softening the stool.
2. Reduce the presence of fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet and heat them.
3. Use a minimal amount of salt when cooking.
4. Enter rice porridge cooked in water on the menu . Its use during frequent urge to defecate helps make the stool harder.
5. Take sorbents . They remove all waste and toxins, cleanse the body of harmful substances.

If nausea and diarrhea regularly occur, you should consult a physician or gynecologist. The specialist will prescribe medications not only to eliminate the problem and improve the general condition of the pregnant woman.

Treatment

If symptoms of diarrhea occur, a woman should see several doctors. First of all, she is sent to a gynecologist who checks the condition of the fetus. An examination by a gastroenterologist is also recommended.

Traditional therapy

• If diarrhea appears during late pregnancy, the first thing to do is take a few tablets of activated charcoal. It absorbs toxic and poisonous substances in the intestines. Coal is completely safe for women and children.
• Refill your colon with lactobacilli, which are sold in capsule, liquid, or powder form. These bacteria work against E.coli bacteria, which cause diarrhea, salmonella, streptococci and shigellosis (bacterial dysentery). The rest of the medications should be prescribed by a doctor, because not all tablets are suitable for pregnant women.

How to treat diarrhea with folk remedies?

Diarrhea during late pregnancy can also be treated using traditional methods. However, before using the product, you should consult a doctor who will tell you whether it is safe. Let's consider the most common and safe methods of traditional medicine, treatment of which will quickly give results:

1. Because diarrhea can cause dehydration, drink water or suck on ice cubes regularly and slowly. Make sure you don't get thirsty and your lips don't dry out.
2. A decoction of brown rice will help eliminate frequent diarrhea during late pregnancy. To prepare it, boil 3 cups of water and add half a cup of brown rice. Keep the mixture on low heat for 45 minutes, then strain. Drink the broth and eat rice a little later.
3. Dehydration can be prevented using this recipe: dissolve 1 tbsp in 1 liter of water. salt, 4 tbsp. sugar and add half a cup of apple cider vinegar. Drink little by little throughout the day.
4. In the later stages, a warm water enema is very helpful in cleansing the lower colon. It will bring instant relief because it will rid the body of the toxic substances that caused diarrhea. If necessary, the enema can be repeated frequently throughout the day. If you suspect food poisoning, try a strong, high-caffeine coffee enema, but this should be done with caution later in the procedure as it has a strong effect.
5. You can relieve the pain caused by diarrhea by applying a hot, moist compress twice daily or alternating hot and cold compresses to the stomach area. To speed up the healing process, you can add a little apple cider vinegar to each compress.
6. When diarrhea in late pregnancy is eliminated, it is necessary to replace the enzymes washed out of the body with fresh papaya or its juice, fresh pineapple or pineapple juice.

To stop diarrhea and temporarily eliminate unpleasant symptoms, in the later stages it is also recommended to take cold sitz baths for a few seconds to one minute. You can add half a cup of apple cider vinegar to the water. The amount of water should be such that the buttocks are completely submerged in water. The stomach, chest and shoulders should be covered with towels to protect against hypothermia. The water temperature should be comfortable, slightly colder than what you are used to constantly using for swimming. After water procedures, you should rub your body with a hard towel.