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Natural Cures For Diarrhea In Pregnant Women
By
Patricia | May 29, 2009
You know you are suffering from diarrhea or loose motions in case you have unusually frequent bowel movements or if your stools are lose and watery. Under normal circumstances, diarrhea is not too much of a problem; however, experiencing loose motions during pregnancy usually triggers off panic in most women.
Constipation is a very common symptom experienced by most pregnant women, which generally occurs because of hormonal fluctuations and dietary changes. Diarrhea on the other hand occurs because of external factors, which may or may not be harmful. Given below are some of the possible causes of lose motion during pregnancy –
- Hormones: Most of the changes that you notice in your body during pregnancy occur because of a surge in certain hormones. Your body may take a while to get used to these changes and till then, it is possible for you to experience digestive problems like diarrhea, especially during your early pregnancy.
- Dietary alterations: As you as you realize that you are pregnant, you will probably need to make a few drastic changes to your existing diet. The increased intake of fresh and healthy foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains may have a cleansing effect on your body by flushing out the toxins from your digestive system.
- Increased water intake: Your doctor will advise you to increase the amount of water you drink during pregnancy. This helps flush out the buildup of waste matter accumulated in the digestive tract and as a result, you may experience diarrhea until the colon is clean.
- Allergies or intolerances: You could develop a food allergy or intolerance for the first time after getting pregnant, which is quite a common occurrence. In such cases, you will experience loose motions mainly after you consume certain problematic foods. Avoiding such foods should lead to normal bowel movements. After childbirth, your body’s reaction to these foods will probably go back to normal and you will be able to eat these foods without suffering from diarrhea.
- Food poisoning: The consumption of contaminated food or water can get your stomach upset and cause you to experience severe bouts of loose motions. This is quite a serious problem and should be treated by a doctor immediately.
- Labor: Many women suffer from diarrhea when their bodies get ready to give birth. In case you get loose motions towards the end of the third trimester, it could be an indication of labor.
- Viruses: During pregnancy, your body becomes more susceptible to viral infections of different kinds. You could get loose motions because of a stomach infection.
Loose motions should be taken very seriously, regardless of the stage of pregnancy they occur in or their causes. Diarrhea during pregnancy could lead to serious complications, such as dehydration and loss of nutrients. Therefore, it is important to get this affliction treated as soon as possible.
Home Remedies
The treatment of loose motions during pregnancy may vary, depending upon the severity and cause of the problem. In case you are suffering from an infection or food poisoning, your doctor may prescribe medication. However, many medical experts prefer treating diarrhea using home remedies, which have fewer side effects.
Given below are a few simple and effective diarrhea home remedies for pregnant women –
- Boil a piece of ginger root in a cup of water and allow it to steep for about 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the tea and allow the liquid to cool for a few minutes before drinking it. This helps soothe an upset stomach and relieves diarrhea. The use of ginger is also recommended in the ayurvedic treatment of diarrhea
- Mix about 3 to 4 tablespoons of honey in a glass of water and drink the solution once each day.
- Blend half a teaspoon of lemon juice, half a teaspoon of ginger powder and quarter teaspoon crushed black pepper together and consume this mixture twice a day.
- Add a few drops of peppermint extract in half a cup of water and drink the liquid. For best results have this mixture around 2 to 3 times each day.
The main purpose of using remedies for diarrhea during pregnancy is to replace the lost water and electrolytes in the body. Do bear in mind that these remedies do not cure the underlying causes. If the problem persists even after trying these remedies for a day, you may need to adopt medical treatment.
Diet
One of the first steps in controlling diarrhea during pregnancy is by making a few dietary alterations. Your doctor may advise you to follow the BRAT diet, which consists of Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. Make sure to opt from brown rice and whole wheat toast (without any butter).
Some of the other foods you could add to your diet include –
- Apples
- Carrots
- Chicken soup
- Crackers
- Ginger
- Potatoes
- Unsweetened cereals
- Yogurt
Similarly, there are some foods you need to strictly avoid, as they can worsen diarrhea. These foods are –
- Caffeinated and carbonated beverages
- Dried fruits, especially prunes
- Fried and greasy food
- Milk and dairy products
- Red meat
- Spices
- Sweets and sugary items
Also make sure that you eat 5 to 6 small meals at regular intervals during the day, instead of three large ones. However, it is essential to check with a doctor before you make any changes to your diet.