Bowel Changes In Early Pregnancy

Bowel Changes In Early Pregnancy – Black or black discharge during pregnancy is common and not a cause for concern. In most cases, this can be caused by factors such as dietary supplements, certain foods, food dyes, medications, or digestive changes due to pregnancy (1). Avoiding triggers will normalize stool color, but is generally not recommended unless there is an underlying health problem.

However, if you have other symptoms or concerns, you can consult your doctor for prenatal care. Read about the causes of black stools during pregnancy, how to prevent them, and when to seek medical attention.

Bowel Changes In Early Pregnancy

According to Dr. Alan Lindemann, an obstetrician-gynecologist and clinical associate professor at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks:

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“Even if the pill isn’t very dark, the iron in the pill will turn it black. Rectal bleeding is not the same as black stools when you take iron supplements. Whether it’s iron in the blood or iron supplements, your digestive tract turns iron black. “

If your stool is black, the blood has been in your colon for a long time and the color turns black, so we say it’s bleeding from the upper digestive tract. Although it’s possible to bleed into your colon from cancer, benign or cancerous, it’s very rare for women between the ages of 20 and 35. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you may want to have some type of screening or testing after birth

If you notice a long period of black stool along with these symptoms, consult your doctor for prenatal care to avoid negative effects on the health of the mother and the development of the fetus.

A health care provider may review your medical history, perform a physical exam, and order certain tests. You may need a combination of blood tests (faecal occult blood test), x-rays and stool tests. If the results are inconclusive, your doctor may ask you to have an endoscopy

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XA diagnostic procedure that uses a long, flexible tube with a camera to examine the gastrointestinal tract and observe digestive function to help determine the cause. Appropriate treatment will be given based on the analysis and results.

Dark stools are one of the side effects of prenatal vitamins, while others include constipation, nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, and loss of appetite (2).

In early pregnancy, you may notice some changes in your bowel patterns, and if you are taking iron or vitamin supplements, black stools may be one of them. In some cases, changes in hormone levels can change the density of stools, slow down stool movement, and cause constipation, making stools hard and dark.

Research suggests that iron supplements may be a major cause of black stools (3). Therefore, you should consult a doctor to stop using them. Instead of relying on supplements, iron can be obtained from dark green leafy vegetables, red meat, and iron-fortified grains (9).

Poos And Wees

There is no significant evidence that folic acid is one of the causes of black stools. Folic acid intake does not cause dark spots. This can cause other symptoms such as nausea, loss of appetite, and bloating (10).

Blood in the stool can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, including inflammation of the stomach lining, bleeding in the stomach and small intestine, several digestive disorders, and colon cancer (4).

Evidence suggests that food poisoning may be another cause of black stools. However, it is important to remember that food poisoning is not the only cause of black stools (11). Therefore, you should be examined by a doctor.

Black stools are not uncommon during pregnancy. Iron supplements, foods containing artificial colors, certain medications, and medical conditions such as constipation are common causes of dark stools during pregnancy. In most cases, this is not a cause for concern. However, in some cases, it may indicate an underlying problem. So, if you experience abdominal discomfort or other unpleasant symptoms of black stools, see your doctor. Diet and lifestyle changes based on the underlying cause can help prevent this.

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One of the most common causes of black stools during pregnancy is the side effects of certain medications and supplements. However, in rare cases, there may be more serious reasons, some of which are listed in the infographic below.

The article is written after analyzing the research work of expert authors and organizations. Our references consist of sources identified by relevant industry authorities. You can learn more about the accuracy of the information we present in our editorial policy.

2. Scott Lafey; The bottom line: What color your poop and other important stools are; UC San Diego (2018)

3. What your urine color says about your health; American Council on Science and Health (2016)

Pregnancy Signs And Symptoms

9. Consumption of dark green leafy vegetables predicts vitamin A and iron intake and status among female smallholder farmers in Tanzania; NCBI

Dr. Stanley Ngwaru is a specialist at Avenues Women’s Hospital, Harare. Previously, he worked at Harare Central Hospital. Dr. Ngwaru has nearly 15 years of experience, specializing in gynecology, epidemiology, emergency care and reproductive health.

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content on pregnancy, pregnancy, birth and postpartum. She graduated from Loyola Academy of Osmania University in Biotechnology and Genetics and received a certificate in “Nutrition and Lifestyle during Pregnancy” from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU). He was doing health and… more

Dr. Ritika Shah is a Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) from the iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with over seven years of clinical experience in various cities in India. He graduated as a dentist from KM Shah Dental College. During her clinical practice, pediatric dentistry was her area of ​​interest and she always… more

Pregnancy Poop: Is Diarrhea A Symptom Of Pregnancy?

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a clinical coordinator, medical content writer, and medical conference coordinator. His constant interest in medical journals and writings made him . She writes articles on health and wellness for children, pregnant and lactating women. Reshmi graduated from the MITS School of Biotechnology in Biotechnology and …More Mucus in the stool during pregnancy can be caused by digestive problems or pregnancy-related factors such as hormonal changes that affect the digestive system. Gastric mucus is produced in the stomach and aids in the movement of digested food through the gastrointestinal tract. We usually excrete a certain amount of mucus in our stools. However, pregnancy increases the amount of mucus produced and makes it more noticeable (1).

Depending on the underlying problem, excess mucus can be treated. Read this article to learn about the various causes and treatment options for excess mucus in the stool during pregnancy.

Mucous stools are not uncommon during pregnancy and can be associated with a variety of gastrointestinal problems (2) (3). It often goes unnoticed. Especially in the first trimester, when there are significant changes in the body, the possibility of excess mucus in the stool increases. However, if you notice a large amount of mucus accompanied by pain or bleeding, it is very important to be vigilant and consult a doctor. To determine the cause of the condition, you can consult an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Giardiasis is an intestinal parasite infection that causes greasy stools, including cramping and nausea. Pregnant women are more likely to experience dehydration (12).

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (ibs)

Gently applying a cloth wrapped in ice water to the affected area can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation (13).

For treatment, it is important to determine the cause of mucus secretion. Some treatment options for reducing mucus in the stool during pregnancy are (7) (8) (9):

During pregnancy, mild sedatives such as milk of magnesia, bulking agents (metamucil), and stool softeners (docusate) may be prescribed (14).

Celiac disease, caused by gluten sensitivity, is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (15).

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Mucus in the stool is not a sign of concern. You can improve your lifestyle and take preventive measures to reduce excess secretion of mucus in the stool.

High levels of mucus in the stool during pregnancy can be caused by medical conditions, such as (10) (11) :

Studies have shown that probiotics can change the composition and size of stools, cause flatulence, and increase mucus production. If you notice these symptoms after taking probiotics during pregnancy, you should talk to your gynecologist or nutritionist (12).

In some people, anxiety increases the secretion of mucus in the stool (13). However, the underlying cause is unknown and it may not happen to everyone.

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Stool mucus during pregnancy is not associated with preterm birth. However, if you are concerned or have other symptoms, you should consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment (16).

Stool mucus is usually normal during pregnancy. This can be due to dehydration, hormonal changes, or food allergies. Understand your body