Motherhood is full of surprises and struggles. One of the common problem faced is digestion. Many pregnant women complain that there are suffering from watery bowel movements immediately after few hours of taking a meal. And this leads to misconception of miscarriage. Constipation, watery stool, diarrhea are very common symptoms during various stages of pregnancy, especially in earlier trimesters.
What causes it?
Diarrhea can be caused by many factors. Diet changes, vitamin intake, hormonal changes, food addictions are to be blamed. The reasons can be many – letting out all the good-for-you food that you are eating now, excess water intake, prenatal vitamins that you are taking. Besides these common concerns, food poisoning, intestinal parasites can cause a severe diarrhea for the pregnant woman.
What to take?
Stay Hydrated: It is important to stay hydrated in every level of the life. Loose bowel moments remove lot of water from the body, take as much fluids as you can. Diarrhea is not harmful in most of the cases, but severe dehydration of mother can hamper the blood flow for the baby.
BRAT: The famous BRAT diet – banana, rice, applesauce, toast. It is highly recommended because it is gentle on human’s stomach.
Starchy Foods: Potatoes, crackers, cereals can be taken in limits.
Veggies and fruits: Adequate green vegetables and fresh fruits (which are recommended by the nutritionist) are not harmful for the pregnancy. The vegetables in the salads should be boiled not fried or cooked.
What not to take
If you are lactose intolerant, keep away from high fiber grains, dried fruits, dairy products, fatty or spicy foods. A mom-to-be should be very particular on what she eats and drinks. Try to consume fresh foods instead of frozen or preserved.
No to soft drinks: As always (but particularly now) high sugar soft drinks draw water into the stomach and make diarrhea lasts longer. Even the preservative juices are bad on the tummy, instead take sports drinks. Hence say a big no-no to packaged beverages.
Home Remedies:
- Boil a piece of ginger in water and drink the solution once in a day.
- Consume a blend of lemon juice, half a teaspoon of ginger powder and crushed black pepper.
- Mix honey in luke warm water and drink twice a day. Can add lemon for fast reaction.
- Smaller meals: Break your meal for 5-6 smaller ones. Do not gulp but chew the food properly.
- Soak a handful of fenugreek seeds overnight and drink the water in the morning.
Exercise: Pregnant women should avoid heavy exercises, but walking for a few minutes is a must. Expose for some fresh air for 10 – 15 minutes in early morning and after dinner.
Do yoga: Yoga has become a very effective method to reduce the weight of your body and also to be peaceful. Practice some basic yoga asanas which helps you to get rid of gas and also to be easier during labor.
A mild case is absolutely ‘no-worry’ state, but consult a Gynaecologist when it is more than three stools a day. Even though many gastro-intestinal disorders are treated with the time and lifestyle changes, some may require attention.
Talk and take an appointment for the prominent Laparoscopic Surgeon in Mumbai –Dr Neelima Mantri for the best guidance.