Diarrhea a sign of early pregnancy, myth or fact?

There are various signs that a woman experiences in early pregnancy. Some of them are easy to spot, for example morning sickness or discharge from the vagina. There are also other signs of early pregnancy that are less common, and diarrhea is believed to be one of them.

Diarrhea in pregnant women can be caused by many factors, ranging from eating too much spicy food, food allergies, to more serious ones such as bacterial or viral infections. Then, can the changes in the body that occur during early pregnancy also cause this condition?

Symptoms of diarrhea during young pregnancy

Diarrhea is one of the most common digestive disorders experienced by pregnant women. The main symptom is loose textured stool. In pregnant women, this condition can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, changes in diet, and stress.

People who experience diarrhea generally also experience symptoms such as:

• Watery defecation (BAB) 2-3 times in 24 hours
• Back and forth to the bathroom to defecate
• Abdominal cramps and / or pain
• Bloated
• Nausea

If the diarrhea is caused by an infection, you may also experience fever, bloody stools, dizziness, and vomiting. Diarrhea that is severe or persistent can cause dehydration.

Is it true that diarrhea is a sign of a young pregnancy?

Hormone levels in your body rise and fall during the menstrual cycle. Apart from affecting the reproductive organs, hormonal changes can also cause symptoms of indigestion, including constipation, bloating, and diarrhea.

One of the most influential hormones is progesterone. Progesterone levels increase after the egg is released from the ovary (ovulation). This hormone then stimulates the thickening of the uterine wall so that it is ready to accommodate the fertilized egg.

Progesterone also has other effects. This hormone helps relax smooth muscles, including those in the uterus, small intestine, and large intestine. Once the digestive tract muscles relax, the digestive process is also affected

Under normal conditions, the digestive tract muscles will lengthen and shorten when digesting food. This process produces a wave-like muscle contraction called peristalsis.

This movement serves to move food that has been digested in the intestine. After the nutrients are absorbed, the rest of the digestive products will be channeled into the large intestine. The food waste is then collected in the rectum and out through the anus with the same peristalsis.

Diarrhea occurs when digested food passes through the intestines too quickly. The large intestine cannot absorb enough water so that the stool that comes out has a watery texture. When the digestive tract muscles relax, the opposite happens.

The intestinal peristalsis will be reduced so that the food that has been digested is retained longer in the intestine. The large intestine will absorb more water from food waste. As a result, you actually experience constipation.

Women who are young pregnant may experience diarrhea. However, diarrhea is not a sign of early pregnancy. High progesterone actually makes women who are pregnant young more often experience constipation.

How to deal with diarrhea during young pregnancy

Diarrhea during early pregnancy can be very annoying, especially if you are experiencing other pregnancy symptoms. However, mild diarrhea can usually be treated easily and will go away after a few days.

Here are some tips for dealing with diarrhea during pregnancy:

1. Adjusting the diet

Increase plain foods that are simple and easier to digest. These foods will facilitate the work of the digestive system and absorb excess water in the feces. Examples of foods that can be consumed include bananas, rice, boiled potatoes, and oatmeal.

Also avoid foods that stimulate digestion or irritate the digestive tract. Before you recover, avoid spicy foods, fried foods, and high-fiber foods like nuts and whole grains.

2. Increase fluid intake

Diarrhea can lead to dehydration and electrolyte deficiency. So, increase your fluid intake from drinking water and eating fortified foods. If necessary, you can take ORS to replace lost body fluids and electrolytes.

3. Get plenty of rest

Pregnant or not, people who experience diarrhea should get more rest. Strenuous activities stress the body and make it more prone to dehydration. As a result, diarrhea symptoms can also get worse.

Diarrhea is not a sign of early pregnancy. Even if a mother who is young in pregnancy experiences diarrhea, this usually does not harm the mother or the fetus. Diarrhea can go away on its own after you rest for a few days.

However, but be aware of the symptoms you experience. Immediately consult a doctor if you experience persistent diarrhea, diarrhea accompanied by blood, high fever, or symptoms of severe dehydration.

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