About 20% to 30% of pregnant women experience diarrhoea at some point during pregnancy. The World Health Organization defines diarrhoea as passing 3 or more loose or liquid stools in a day or more frequent bowel movements than usual for a person with changes in stool consistency.
What are the types of diarrhoea seen during pregnancy?
- Acute diarrhoea - Diarrhoea for less than 2 weeks
- Persistent diarrhoea - Diarrhoea for 2 to 4 weeks
- Chronic diarrhoea - Diarrhoea for more than 4 weeks
What causes diarrhoea during pregnancy?
Reasons unrelated to pregnancy:
Acute diarrhoea
- Food poisoning
- Infections like viral gastroenteritis due to rotavirus or Novavirus, bacterial gastroenteritis due to E.coli, salmonella, shigella or parasitic infestations.
- Food intolerances
- Certain medications used during pregnancy
Chronic diarrhoea
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn's disease
- Coeliac disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome that becomes more severe during pregnancy
Reasons related to pregnancy:
- Sudden changes in diet during pregnancy
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy can bring about food intolerances, causing diarrhoea.
- Medications prescribed during pregnancy
- Increased levels of prostaglandins released in the body during the third trimester to soften the cervix can also cause diarrhoea. This sign indicates that the labour is close.
What are the complications of diarrhoea during pregnancy?
Dehydration is the most common complication seen in pregnant women with diarrhoea. Excessive thirst, dry mouth, passing dark yellow-coloured urine, and reduced urine output are the symptoms of dehydration.
Severe diarrhoea lasting for more than 2 days or diarrhoea accompanied by the passage of blood and mucous needs urgent medical attention.
How to manage diarrhoea during pregnancy?
- Drink 10 to 12 glasses of water every day
- Avoid spicy foods
- Consume bland foods like bananas, rice, toast
- Review medications
When to consult a doctor?
Consult a doctor immediately if the diarrhoea is severe, lasting more than 2 days, or if you are excessively dehydrated and passing blood or mucous in stools.
How is it treated?
Doctors will prescribe antibiotics if you are suffering from bacterial gastroenteritis. They may also advise probiotics. Extremely dehydrated patients might need admission and intravenous infusion to replenish blood volume.
Takeaway points
Diarrhoea during pregnancy is common, but it is not always related to pregnancy. It can be managed at home by hydrating and changing diet. Severe diarrhoea lasting for more than 2 days accompanied by the passage of blood or mucous needs immediate medical attention.
How can Bangalore Gastro Centre help?
The team of top gastroenterologists at Bangalore Gastro Centre Hospitals in HSR Layout includes a lady gastro doctor for women to discuss their health issues comfortably. The team also includes a nutritionist who can advise women to deal with diarrhoea during pregnancy and food intolerances through tailored diet plans.
The gastro centre also offers colonoscopy tests to diagnose underlying inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. The centre also provides piles and fissure treatment through advanced laser treatment.
