Is it okay to take antidiarrheal medication during pregnancy? Read the explanation in this article, as well as a list of diarrhea medications for pregnant women that are safe to consume.
Is Diarrhea Normal During Pregnancy?
Diarrhea can happen to anyone and at any time, including pregnant mothers. However, many expectant mothers at the end of their pregnancy ( third trimester ) or approaching their estimated due date experience diarrhea. According to experts, this is normal. They say, this is a pre-labor symptom.
This is the natural way for a pregnant woman’s body to ‘cleanse’ and prepare for the arrival of the baby who will soon be born. Another cause could be due to changes in diet.
Although this is a normal response in pregnancy, you still have to be careful. Don’t let yourself become dehydrated because of the large amount of fluid that comes out due to diarrhea.
Although most digestive problems in pregnant women such as diarrhea are not caused by anything serious, they can still cause pregnancy complications – especially if the symptoms are severe or persistent.
That is the reason why mothers still need to get treatment if digestive problems do not go away within a few days.
What Causes Diarrhea During Pregnancy?
Quoting the Healthline page , if you experience three or more bowel movements in one day, it is a sign that you are experiencing diarrhea.
Diarrhea during pregnancy is common. However, not because you have diarrhea while pregnant, it is a sign that diarrhea is related to your pregnancy.
Apart from pregnancy reasons, diarrhea during pregnancy can be caused by:
- Viral infections, such as rotavirus , norovirus , or viral gastroenteritis
- Bacterial infections, such as Salmonella or E. coli
- Intestinal parasites, such as Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium enteritis
- Food poisoning
- Drug side effects
- Food intolerance
Certain conditions can also make diarrhea occur more frequently, including:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Crohn’s disease
- Celiac disease
- Ulcerative colitis or diverticulitis
- There are rare diseases, such as liver disease – which often trigger diarrhea in late pregnancy.
Causes of diarrhea associated with pregnancy are:
1. Changes in Diet
Many expectant mothers change their diet as soon as they find out they are pregnant. These dietary changes can disrupt the functioning of the stomach and potentially cause diarrhea.
2. New Food Sensitivities
Food sensitivities may be one of the many changes you experience during pregnancy. Foods you tolerated well before pregnancy may now cause you gas, upset stomach, or diarrhea.
3. Prenatal Vitamins
Taking prenatal vitamins is good for the health of both the mother and the baby growing in the womb. However, these vitamins can also upset your stomach and cause diarrhea.
Prenatal vitamins can also be a trigger, says Karen Deighan, MD, FACOG, chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital of Loyola University Health System.The Bump.
“Although women are more likely to experience constipation due to the iron content, prenatal vitamins can also cause diarrhea,” explains Karen.
4. Hormonal Changes
One of the changes that can cause diarrhea is an increase in prostaglandin levels. Prostaglandins, like oxytocin, help stimulate contractions in the uterus but can also increase movement along the digestive tract.
Hormonal shifts can cause your digestive system to slow down, leading to constipation. Or, hormonal changes can speed up your digestive system, leading to diarrhea.
5. Stres
Excessive stress or anxiety could be one of the causes.
What Are the Symptoms and Complications Caused by Diarrhea During Pregnancy?
Diarrhea can also cause premature labor . This is because the loss of fluids causes dehydration and this can stimulate the uterus to contract.
The above conditions can also cause various other symptoms. For example:
If diarrhea is accompanied by other symptoms, see a doctor for evaluation.
What Medicine Should I Take for Diarrhea During Pregnancy?
Quoting from the Hellodoctor page , here are several choices of diarrhea medication for pregnant women that are safe and recommended by doctors:
1. Loperamide
Loperamide (Imodium) is a medication that slows down bowel movements to produce more solid stools during diarrhea. It is excellent for treating severe diarrhea in pregnant women.
Loperamide is produced in the form of tablets, capsules, syrup, or chewable tablets.
Side effects that are often felt after taking this drug are stomach ache, dry mouth, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, and nausea and vomiting.
Consult your doctor first regarding the appropriate dosage for your condition.
2. Kaolin + Pectin
Other types of medicine for diarrhea or loose stools that are safe for pregnant women are kaolin and pectin.
Kaolin is a type of natural clay with adsorbent properties. While pectin is a fiber found in many fruits that is used to make gels and jellies.
Just like loperamide, this drug is only given to pregnant women if their diarrhea is severe (more than 10 loose stools per day). In addition to relieving symptoms, this safe diarrhea drug for pregnant women is also useful for preventing serious dehydration.
3.Oral Rehydration Salt(ORS)
Known as oralit, it is one of the safest medicines for treating diarrhea in pregnant women.
Oral rehydration salts contain electrolytes and minerals such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, anhydrous glucose, sodium bicarbonate, and trisodium citrate dihydrate. The combination of these minerals serves to prevent and treat dehydration due to loss of body fluids during diarrhea.
After you drink it, the effects of ORS can be felt in about 8-12 hours. Some experts believe ORS works better to treat diarrhea than just drinking mineral water .
4. Antibiotics
If diarrhea does not go away after 3 days, pregnant women are advised to consult a doctor to find out the cause and appropriate treatment.
Diarrhea is most likely caused by a bacterial or parasitic infection. In this case, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics as a safe diarrhea medicine for pregnancy.
However, not all antibiotics are safe for pregnant women. Only a doctor can determine the right type and dosage of antibiotics. The doctor will also tell you how long you should take the medicine.
What Are Other Ways to Treat Diarrhea During Pregnancy?
It is very important not to become dehydrated during diarrhea.
Therefore, increase your fluid intake by drinking lots of water, fruit juice, and clear broth soup. Foods such as bananas and rice can also help your stool return to normal.
In fact, most cases of diarrhea during pregnancy resolve without treatment. Especially if you suspect that the cause of diarrhea is medication taken during pregnancy, you do not need to take additional medication to treat diarrhea.
If you want to try some home remedies, there are a few steps you can take.
1. Stay Well Hydrated
Dehydration can happen quickly and cause serious complications, especially if you are pregnant. It is best to drink plenty of water to replace fluids lost through diarrhea.
You can also drink water and electrolyte-based rehydration drinks and broth to replace some of the electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals lost from your body.
However, try to be careful not to drink drinks that are high in sugar. Read nutrition labels carefully in an effort to limit your sugar intake .
2. Eat Bland Food
Try to stick to bland foods. The BRAT diet has been recommended for years for treating stomach problems, including diarrhea.
The BRAT diet consists of: Bananas , Rice , Applesauce , and Toast .
Moms can also add these to your diet: starchy foods (potatoes, unsweetened cereals, and crackers ), cooked vegetables (carrots,zucchinipeeled, green beans, or beets), lean meat, cooked eggs, yogurt.
3. Avoid Certain Food Groups
Foods that can worsen digestive problems include fatty, fried, spicy, gassy foods, or dried fruits. Also try to limit your intake of milk and other dairy products, avoid soda, juice or drinks containing caffeine .
4. Consider Medication
If the medication you are taking is causing your diarrhea, your body may adjust to it, and the diarrhea may stop. If not, talk to your doctor about changing your medication.
Do not stop taking any prescribed medication without first discussing it with your doctor.
5. Add Probiotics to Mother’s Meal Menu
Probiotics are tiny microorganisms and a type of good bacteria that work in your digestive tract to create a healthy gut environment. Probiotics may be especially helpful when diarrhea is caused by antibiotics.
6. Give it time
Most cases of diarrhea will resolve within a few days, especially if the diarrhea is caused by food poisoning, insects or viruses, or bacteria.
7. Check with a doctor
Make an appointment to see your doctor if your diarrhea doesn’t improve after 2 to 3 days. Your doctor will do a physical exam and may draw blood to determine what’s causing your diarrhea.
8. Don’t take medicine carelessly
Do not take over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications without consulting your doctor. Some conditions can be made worse by these medications, and not all medications are safe for pregnant women.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration. If your diarrhea lasts more than 2 or 3 days, call your doctor.
Severe dehydration can lead to pregnancy complications. Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Defecating more than 6 times in 24 hours.
- There is blood in the stool
- Fever associated with your diarrhea
- Severe abdominal pain associated with your diarrhea
- Experiencing signs of dehydration, such as feeling very tired, dry and sticky mouth, always feeling thirsty, dark urine or less urine than usual or infrequent urination (BAK).
- Decreased fetal movement or contractions
- Headache
- Dizzy.
According toInstitute of Medicine, Moms can prevent dehydration during pregnancy by drinking about 80 ounces, or 10 glasses, of water every day.
If you suspect diarrhea is caused by bacteria from food (food poisoning), it is better to go to the nearest health service immediately. Bacteria can pose a threat to you and the fetus in the womb.
If you have IBS or another pre-existing condition, you probably already know how to treat diarrhea.
However, if it is new diarrhea and you are experiencing 4-6 bowel movements a day for several days, then you should see a doctor immediately because there is a risk of dehydration .
Digestive problems, including diarrhea, are normal during pregnancy. There are many causes, including hormonal changes, dietary changes, prenatal vitamins, and stress.
However, most cases of diarrhea resolve without treatment. The trick is to drink plenty of fluids and add probiotics to your diet to help soothe your stomach and prevent dehydration.
Popular Questions Regarding Diarrhea Medicine for Pregnant Women
Diarrhea is a very common condition that can affect anyone, including pregnant women. According toAmerican College of Gastroenterology(ACG), there has been no recent research on the prevalence of diarrhea in pregnant women.
During pregnancy, diarrhea can occur due to hormonal or physical changes. However, it can also be unrelated to pregnancy and be caused by an underlying infection or bowel disorder.
Here are some popular questions regarding diarrhea medication for pregnant women.
Is diarrhea dangerous for the fetus if a pregnant woman experiences diarrhea?
If diarrhea in pregnant women lasts more than 2 or 3 days, contact a doctor immediately. Severe dehydration can cause pregnancy complications.
Pregnant women also need to consult a doctor even if the diarrhea is considered not dangerous or tends to be mild.
If you are pregnant and have diarrhea, you may worry that it could cause problems with your pregnancy or be a sign of miscarriage. However, diarrhea is not a typical cause or symptom of miscarriage.
It is very common to experience diarrhea during pregnancy, and most of the time it does not affect the pregnancy at all. If you have any questions or concerns or are worried about your pregnancy for any reason, you should talk to your doctor.
Can pregnant women take Entrostop diarrhea medicine?
One of the safe ingredients in diarrhea medication for pregnant women that is recommended by doctors is kaolin and pectin.
Meanwhile, Neo Entrostop contains attapulgite and pectin which are known to be safe enough for pregnant women. This content is claimed to be able to stop bacteria that cause diarrhea.
Neo Entrostop will help reduce the frequency of bowel movements to normal, as well as improve the shape of the stool that was previously liquid due to diarrhea. However, if you are in doubt or have a certain response after taking this medicine, consult a doctor immediately.
Can pregnant women drink coconut water when they have diarrhea?
There are several natural ways to keep the body hydrated, one of which is by drinking coconut water .
Pregnant women can drink coconut water. Coconut water is a healthy fluid and serves to replace lost body fluids and can prevent dehydration.
Can pregnant women drink Yakult when they have diarrhea?
Pregnant women can drink Yakult and it is safe to consume .
Yakult is a type of probiotic drink. Probiotics are tiny microorganisms and a type of good bacteria that work in your digestive tract to create a healthy gut environment.
Probiotics may be especially helpful when diarrhea is caused by antibiotic medications. The most commonly used types of probiotics include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces.
Mom, diarrhea is a common condition that can affect anyone, including pregnant women. Hormonal changes, intestinal infections, and underlying intestinal disorders can all cause diarrhea during pregnancy.
If diarrhea lasts more than 48 hours, talk to your doctor. And seek medical care right away for symptoms like fever, dehydration, bloody stools, or frequent vomiting.
Also, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking any medication for diarrhea.
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Republished with permission from theAsianparent Indonesia
