Future Health Frontiers Q&A Women’s Health Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

What should pregnant women do if they have diarrhea?

Asked by:Carissa

Asked on:Apr 05, 2026 04:15 AM

Answers:1 Views:530
  • Charisma Charisma

    Apr 05, 2026

      To pregnant woman diarrhea reason

      The most common cause of diarrhea in pregnant women is intestinal infection. The pathogenic microorganisms include Salmonella, Shigella, viruses and protozoa. In summer, diarrhea Food poisoning should also be thought of. There is another point that needs to be reminded and should be paid great attention to. Diarrhea in pregnant women should also be considered as miscarriage or premature birth possible.

      Pregnancy itself rarely causes diarrhea and will not aggravate existing diarrhea. However, diarrhea is a danger signal to pregnancy, indicating the possibility of miscarriage or premature birth, so it should not be taken carelessly. According to a report by Swedish doctors, the most common cause of diarrhea in pregnant women is infection. The most common pathogens are Salmonella, Shigella dysentery, Campylobacter and viruses. Food poisoning or other viral infections can also cause diarrhea in pregnant women.

      What to do if pregnant women have diarrhea

      Once diarrhea occurs in pregnant women, the main treatment measure is to replenish fluids appropriately to replenish the water and electrolytes lost due to diarrhea, especially potassium ions, and to replenish the calories lost due to diarrhea. At the same time, close observation is required. fetus Whether the condition is good and whether there are any signs of premature labor or miscarriage.

      Pregnant women suffering from diarrhea can usually return to normal bowel movements after 24 to 96 hours. If treatment is ineffective, fecal bacteriological culture and drug sensitivity testing should be performed, as well as intestinal protozoa and parasite examinations. When necessary, perform fibrosigmoidoscopy with caution to rule out inflammatory bowel disease.

      What medicine should pregnant women take for diarrhea?

      Unlike ordinary people, pregnant women should be particularly careful when using antibiotics. In addition to adverse reactions, many commonly used antibiotics and antiprotozoal drugs have the potential to cause teratogenesis. For example, the commonly used metronidazole has teratogenic effects on experimental animals, so it is contraindicated during pregnancy, especially in the first three months of pregnancy. Other antibiotics, such as sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and quinolones, have adverse effects on the mother and fetus and should also be banned. Some milder anti-diarrheal agents, such as kaolin and pectin, are available. These drugs can absorb water and reduce intestinal motility. ; You may also want to try activated carbon tablets. Smecta is an octagonal stone with a large adsorption surface and is not absorbed by the body. It not only has the above characteristics, but can also absorb some pathogenic bacteria, so it is safe and effective. Generally speaking, erythromycin and ampicillin are safe for mothers and infants. Do not use opioids to stop diarrhea, as these drugs may cause bacterial overgrowth and reinfection, which may worsen diarrhea. Patients can also be given some microecological preparations, such as Livzon Changle, Zhengchang Sheng, etc., to adjust the intestinal flora, strengthen the body and eliminate evil. Pregnant women who have diarrhea and are about to give birth should be isolated at the bedside according to intestinal infectious diseases to ensure baby and maternal safety.

      What should pregnant women eat if they have diarrhea?

      When pregnant women have diarrhea, they need to ensure that their daily diet allows them to obtain enough vitamins and minerals. They can also ask their doctor to prescribe a list of daily pregnancy vitamins that should be supplemented, and insist on taking them during pregnancy. The following are dietary principles that pregnant women need to pay attention to when they have diarrhea ;

      1 Eat at least one vitamin C-rich food every day, including: citrus, Grape , strawberries, cauliflower, honey, green peppers, tomatoes and green mustard, etc.

      2. Eat at least one folate-rich food every day, including: dark green vegetables, veal, and beans. Pregnant women need 400 micrograms of folic acid daily to prevent birth defects such as spina bifida in their newborns.

      3. Eat at least one vitamin A-rich food every other day, including carrots, pumpkin, spinach, kale, beets, almonds and cantaloupe.

      4. Eat or drink at least four servings of dairy products and high-calcium foods every day to help you get 1,200 mg of calcium in your daily diet. Eat at least three servings of iron-rich foods each day to ensure you get 30 milligrams of iron in your daily diet.

      5. Drink more water, eat more millet, and avoid spicy food and cold and greasy food.

      After reading the article "What to do if pregnant women have diarrhea", do you have a better understanding of what to do if pregnant women have diarrhea? To learn more, please go to the Pregnant Women's Precautions column to view related articles.

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