Diarrhea Pregnancy
During pregnancy, our bodies are constantly working to regulate and find their new normal. This is not an easy task, considering the amount of growth and change the body experiences daily. Sometimes, these changes, as well as the dietary changes we make to support the pregnancy, can cause abnormal bowel symptoms, and when that occurs, it can feel like a lot. Don’t worry, you are not alone. Whether dealing with constipation or diarrhea, I would dare say that most of my clients experience one or another for at least some portion of their pregnancy. But just because it happens often does not mean it needs to be tolerated. Let’s discuss what causes these disruptions in our regular bowel movements and how to combat them safely during pregnancy.
The first thing that I always try to remind people is that if you have a preexisting condition of gastrointestinal diseases like IBS, SIBO, Chrons disease, or something similar, then you’re experiencing irregular bowel symptoms that might be a part of your normal. Oftentimes, we forget that we have preexisting conditions and that not everything we experience in pregnancy is related to the pregnancy, so I like giving this reminder because sometimes that is all you need. Other things to consider when trying to figure out what might be causing this change in bowel symptoms are that you have a ton of hormones running through your body at any given time during pregnancy, which can cause irregular bowel symptoms. For some, these symptoms are diarrhea; for others, the opposite occurs, and constipation rears its ugly head. Either way, if you cannot find another cause of these changes, it is likely simply from your hormones. Other things that can cause diarrhea are changes you make to your diet when working to support your pregnancy. These changes can be as simple as the prenatal vitamins you take daily, but they can also be how you have shifted what you eat or don’t eat during pregnancy. Even little shifts here and there can significantly change how your body moves stool, so if your diet has changed drastically, this could be the leading cause. Another thing that a lot of people don’t think about because we always want to chalk it up to pregnancy is that we can still get stomach bugs during pregnancy that can cause abnormal bowel movements. Because of this, I always recommend that we ensure this is a pattern and not a one-time thing caused by illness.
If you have deemed that your diarrhea is chronic and not caused by preexisting conditions or an illness, then there are definitely things that you can try to help regulate your bowel movements a little better.
First things first, I always recommend that you increase your water intake if you are experiencing abnormal bowel symptoms. Sometimes, changing how you get rid of waste is your body’s way of screaming for help; something is wrong. Aiming for 80-100oz of water a day is ideal for the pregnant body, and upping this amount if you live in a hot climate is crucial.
I also recommend moving your body daily for 30-60 minutes. This does not have to be rigorous, and you do not need to get personal records, but moving your body helps your bowels work to move stool. Going on a daily walk, doing yoga, and stretching are two great ways to help support your gastrointestinal systems.
On top of these more straightforward recommendations, one of my best recommendations, which I got about a year ago and which changed my life, is to increase your fiber intake a lot. The sad fact is that most individuals are not getting enough fiber, not even close to enough. Adding in a large amount of fiber, closer to 30-40 grams per day, is what everyone should be aiming for. To give you an idea, the average American intakes about 15-20 grams daily, which is nowhere near enough. You can add this fiber throughout your diet, but if you are already struggling with food aversions, adding a fiber supplement might be the best way to get it. Sometimes, people believe that adding fiber will cause their diarrhea to get worse, but the opposite is true. Fiber regulates any abnormal bowel symptoms, be it diarrhea or constipation, so by adding fiber to your diet, you can normalize any symptoms you are experiencing.
Another recommendation I give is to add a probiotic to your daily regimen. Probiotics help to feed the good bacteria in your gut and work against the harmful bacteria, which in turn helps to regulate bowel movements. Probiotics can be found naturally in foods like Kefir, Yogurt, Kimchi, Sourdough, and Kombucha. Still, there are also great supplements if you struggle to get some of these foods in via your diet.
If none of these options work, it is time to talk to your care provider and see if they have any tips and tricks for normalizing your bowel symptoms.
On the other hand, if you are in your third trimester and getting diarrhea, it could be a sign that your body is preparing for childbirth. I would not say that diarrhea equates to labor, especially if it is on its own, but diarrhea accompanied by cramping, contractions, and nausea very well could be a sign that labor is coming soon. Our bodies are intelligent and often begin to clear out in preparation for childbirth. If you are not at 37 weeks gestation or beyond, let your care provider know what symptoms you are experiencing just in case they need to administer medications to stop a preterm labor from occurring.
Always remember you are the professional and expert on your body and pregnancy. If something feels off, reaching out to your care provider for support is never a bad idea.
