Every baby's development during pregnancy is very difficult for expectant mothers. The pregnant woman's body will undergo changes as the baby grows month by month. One of the most common problems is diarrhea in pregnant women. Diarrhea in pregnant women is a dangerous signal because pregnant women cannot take medicine casually during pregnancy, which is harmful to the baby. What are the causes of diarrhea in pregnant women? What should pregnant women do if they have diarrhea? What are some home remedies for diarrhea in pregnant women? What can pregnant women eat when they have diarrhea? Today, the editor will answer these questions for expectant mothers on how to deal with diarrhea in their daily life.
Causes of Diarrhea in Pregnant Women
1. Infection
Infection is the most common cause of diarrhea in pregnant women. Bacteria and viruses can infect the digestive tract, with the most common pathogens being Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and viruses. Food poisoning or viral infections in other parts of the body can also cause diarrhea in pregnant women.
2. Dietary Causes
Eating rough or spoiled food and poor dietary habits, or allergic reactions to seafood and other foods.
3. Diarrhea caused by other chronic diseases
Such as thyroid disease combined with tuberculosis or colitis. In this case, if a pregnant woman with diarrhea does not return to normal bowel movements within 1-3 days, she should go to the hospital for fecal bacterial culture and drug sensitivity testing, as well as intestinal protozoa and parasite examination. Fiberoptic colonoscopy should be cautiously performed if necessary to rule out inflammatory bowel disease.
What to Do When Pregnant Women Have Diarrhea
1. Seek medical attention immediately
If a pregnant woman has severe diarrhea, do not blindly take medication. Go to the hospital immediately to avoid delaying the condition and causing miscarriage or premature birth.
2. Pay attention to electrolyte replenishment
Diarrhea in pregnant women can lead to electrolyte loss. It is necessary to replenish electrolytes and calories. It is important to prepare some porridge.
3. Pay attention to keeping warm
If a pregnant woman has diarrhea, it is also important to keep warm, especially for expectant mothers with weak resistance. If not properly kept warm, it is easy to develop stomach cold, which can lead to diarrhea.
4. Pay attention to a light diet
After experiencing diarrhea, the diet should be light and clean. Avoid eating spicy and stimulating foods, cold drinks, and greasy foods.
What Can Pregnant Women Eat When They Have Diarrhea
Pregnant women with diarrhea should pay attention to dietary adjustment and should not take medication without authorization. They should eat foods rich in vitamin C and folic acid.
1. Eat at least one food rich in vitamin C every day, including citrus fruits, cauliflower, honey, green peppers, tomatoes, etc.
2. Eat at least one food rich in folic acid every day, including dark green vegetables, lean beef, and beans. Pregnant women need 400 micrograms of folic acid every day to prevent congenital defects such as spina bifida.
3. Eat at least one food rich in vitamin A every other day, including carrots, pumpkins, spinach, cabbage, etc.
4. Eat or drink at least four servings of dairy products and high-calcium foods every day to help you get 1200 milligrams of calcium in your daily diet. Eat at least three servings of iron-rich foods every day to ensure you get 30 milligrams of iron from your daily diet.
5. Drink plenty of water and eat more millet rice. Avoid eating spicy and stimulating foods, as well as cold and greasy foods.
6. Reduce the amount of food and extend the interval between meals.
7. Eat easily digestible foods, such as rice soup and noodles. Eat foods that have astringent and antidiarrheal effects, such as boiled eggs, stir-fried rice noodles, sugar-salt water, and rice soup. Avoid eating meat and eat fewer fruits and vegetables, especially fried and grilled foods.
Home Remedies for Diarrhea in Pregnant Women
Treatment of diarrhea in pregnant women with traditional methods: Pregnant women often experience diarrhea due to bacterial infections in the intestines and weather changes. Here are some commonly used dietary remedies for treating diarrhea in rural areas.
1. Charred Rice Soup: Grind rice into powder, fry until brown, then add water and sugar to boil into a thin paste. Charred rice soup is easy to digest, and its carbonized structure has good adsorption and antidiarrheal effects, making it the preferred food for children with diarrhea.
2. Carrots: Carrots are alkaline foods. The pectin they contain can form solid stools and adsorb pathogenic bacteria and toxins in the intestines. They are good foods for stopping diarrhea and inhibiting bacteria. Carrots can be cooked into soup or chopped to relieve and treat diarrhea in children.
3. Cooked Apples: Apples are also alkaline foods. They contain pectin and tannic acid, which have adsorption, astringent, and antidiarrheal effects. Take a fresh, soft-textured apple, wash it, steam it in a bowl, and peel it. Consume 3-5 times a day.
4. Walnut Leaves: Take about 250 grams of walnut leaves and pour half a basin of boiling water over them. Cover and let it sit for more than 10 minutes. When it is cool enough to touch, wash your feet and calves (below the knee joint), and wash until you can put your feet in the basin. It is best to heat the aluminum basin on the fire before washing it for the second time. Wash twice a day, change the leaves daily, and wash until the condition improves.
So, now you know the causes of diarrhea in pregnant women, what to do when pregnant women have diarrhea, what pregnant women can eat when they have diarrhea, and some home remedies for diarrhea in pregnant women. I hope this information is helpful for expectant mothers and fathers.
