Loose Motions During Pregnancy

Just like other complaints, loose motions or diarrhea is one of the many symptoms of pregnancy.

Diarrhea can happen because:

• Due to hormonal changes, the digestive system slows down causing diarrhea in the first trimester.
• Some pregnant women become sensitive to the different foods they eat thus causing frequent loose motions
• Sometimes a viral or a bacterial infection leads to diarrhea
• Some Prenatal supplements can cause loose motions in some women
• Food poisoning due to eating contaminated food or water can cause a stomach upset and severe bouts of loose motions. This should be treated immediately by a doctor.
• Loose motions in the third trimester is very common. It can be a sign that you are approaching Labor. You could get loose motions just before you go into Labor or a couple of weeks before Labor starts. It is just a way for some women’s bodies to get ready for their baby’s birth.

Treating loose motions:

Loose motions during pregnancy should be  treated immediately. It can lead to serious complications such as dehydration and loss of essential nutrients.

• In most cases diarrhea clears up in a few days.
• It is important that you stay hydrated – Have at  least  8 – 10 glasses of water. Apart from this, consume juices, soups, buttermilk to replenish the lost electrolytes and body salts.
• Having ORS solution will also help.
• In case diarrhea doesn’t clear up, please contact your doctor.

Home Remedies:

You can try some home remedies in case the severity and cause of the problem is not serious.

• In ayurveda, ginger is recommended as a treatment for diarrhea. Boil a piece of ginger in two cups of water. Steep it, reduce it to half and drink it.
• Drink Lemon and honey about 3-4 tablespoons through the day.
• Mix a tsp of lemon juice with half a tsp of ginger juice and black pepper powder

Diet:

• Eat light foods that can be digested easily like apples, carrots, dry toast, crackers, yoghurt,  khichdi, veg / chicken soup

• Avoid meats, spicy and fried foods, sweet and sugary foods, carbonated drinks and dairy products.

Remember:

• Do not eat or drink in unhygienic places
• Stay away from roadside vendors
• Stay away from uncooked, raw foods like salads, fruits, juices, garnishing like coriander on food.
• Wash fruits and vegetables before consuming
• Go over your diet intake, list out the food items that cause loose motions.
• Change your prenatal supplements in case they do not suit you.
• Eat iron rich foods to cover up any deficiency
• If you get loose motions, remember to stay hydrated by consuming sufficient fluids.

For a personalized diet chart to suit your requirement and more information regarding healthy, tasty, nutritious recipes, please contact Seema Kazi Rangnekar

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