Diarrhea during pregnancy: how to treat yourself?

At the digestive level, pregnancy is often associated with constipation, due to the increase in progesterone levels, which tends to slow down digestive activity. So what about diarrhea during pregnancy?

“Unlike constipation, diarrhea is not related to pregnancy”, Underlines Prof. Philippe Deruelle, Obstetrics General Secretary of the National College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of France (CNGOF).

Gastro, food poisoning: possible causes

Pregnant women are more fragile than the general population. They are therefore more likely to catch certain viruses or bacteria that can lead to diarrhea and other unpleasant transit problems.

In the majority of cases, an episode of diarrhea has a food or viral cause. We often speak, in the latter case, of gastroenteritis.

Other symptoms to watch out for

A more “annoying” cause, on the other hand, is listeriosis, a bacterial infection linked to the Listeria bacteria. But, besides diarrhea, this infection will be associated with fever and muscle pain, in other words to a flu syndrome similar to an episode of influenza. And it is then necessary to consult very quickly, because, in this case, the health of the baby may be at stake.

Apart from this, an episode of diarrhea during pregnancy, if it does not last, does not get worse and is not accompanied by fever, it should not be overly worrying.

Diarrhea and pregnancy: self-medication, useless or even dangerous

“Diarrhea is a natural process : it is a way for the body to evacuate as many viruses or germs as possible”, Recalls Professor Deruelle.

Self-medication is strongly discouraged, as many drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy.

Pregnant diarrhea: why you should not take Smecta

At the end of February 2019, the National Medicines Safety Agency (Ansm) even made caution about “Smecta” type clay-based anti-diarrheal drugs and its generics, which could “contain low amounts of heavy metals naturally occurring in the environment, such as lead”. It therefore advises pregnant and breastfeeding women not to use these drugs usually used against acute diarrhea.

“Usually, we will not prescribe drugs, unless the diarrhea is really very debilitating.”, Explains Prof. Deruelle. “The diarrhea will go away on its own, most of the time”, He reassures. Besides, “this type of medication decreases the intensity of symptoms, but does not cure diarrhea, it’s a bit like cold medicine”, Adds the obstetrician-gynecologist,“and the risk-benefit balance is not favorable“.

Diarrhea during pregnancy: hydration above all!

When faced with an episode of diarrhea during pregnancy, the best course of action is to fight against dehydration. It will therefore be to drink a lot of water, and why not also sugary drinks, to combine rehydration and energy intake to compensate for intestinal losses.

Once is not customary, the sugary drinks like Coca-Cola (recommended in developing countries) may be a good option. Ideal when you have a bit of a loose stomach and you don’t eat a lot elsewhere. Diluting the juice of a lemon or an orange in a little water is also a natural remedy for diarrhea, which helps hydration and supply of mineral salts (electrolytes).

Prof. Deruelle, obstetrician-gynecologist and Obstetrics General Secretary of the CNGOF, recommends above all fruit juices, the important thing is to maintain a good level of hydration.

Conversely, the diuretic drinks, such as tea, coffee, herbal teas or alcohol (which should be avoided throughout pregnancy) are rather to avoid because they risk increasing the phenomenon of dehydration.

Diarrhea and pregnancy: when to worry, when to consult?

In the presence of diarrhea during pregnancy, it is strongly recommended to consult if symptoms do not pass and last more than about two days, if they worsen and / or if they are accompanied by fever, vomiting, blood in the stools. Because it can be the sign of a bacterial infection, food poisoning or infection by a parasite. The doctor will then carry out the necessary analyzes to determine the most suitable treatment.

How to relieve diarrhea during pregnancy?

Adopting dietary measures is usually sufficient to overcome an episode of diarrhea during pregnancy.

As we have seen, hydration is paramount. So be careful to drink a lot, opting for water and sugary drinks, and avoid diuretic drinks (tea, coffee, herbal tea, alcohol).

“The main foods to favor are apples, rice, quince and carrots”, Lists Professor Deruelle. Mashed bananas and the rice cooking water can also help, thanks to their high starch content.

Conversely, it is advisable to avoid spicy foods and dishes, as well as vegetables rich in fiber, which could increase the symptoms of diarrhea.

Diarrhea when pregnant: foods to eat

• The BRAT diet

This acronym comes from the contraction of the English words “Banana”, “rice”, “applesauce” and “toast”. Include: bananas, white rice, applesauce and toast. These foods are all famous for fighting diarrhea.. Bananas and apples in a compote are rich in pectins, soluble fibers that reduce digestive discomfort and promote the balance of the intestinal flora, or microbiota.

Rice and bread are rich in starch, which slows down the phenomenon of diarrhea.

• Quince and carrot

Carrot is a vegetable particularly rich in pectins, which makes it a good food to fight against diarrhea. As for the quince, it is a little the anti-diarrhea food par excellence : its richness in tannins slows down transit, while the pectins it contains help retain water.

• Le psyllium blond

Rich in soluble fiber, psyllium is a regulator of intestinal transit. It can therefore be used to fight against constipation as well as against diarrhea during pregnancy. We will prefer small amounts to start, mixed in water or in a compote, to see how the body responds.

Note that psyllium should be consumed away from medication, or even meals, because it would also reduce intestinal absorption.

Pregnant diarrhea: the importance of probiotics

To rebuild your intestinal flora during and especially after an episode of diarrhea, it is advisable to consume foods rich in probiotics, like yogurt, kefir, miso or even sauerkraut (if you tolerate it well!). As its notice indicates, ultra-yeast, usually recommended to strengthen the intestinal flora after diarrhea, is not a drug that can be taken during pregnancy without a medical prescription. Remember that, in general, it is preferable not to take medication during pregnancy without the advice of a health professional.