Does diarrhea in late pregnancy have an impact on the fetus?

During pregnancy, every move of the expectant mother has a direct impact on the fetus. For example, diarrhea in the late pregnancy is an extremely serious matter and must be treated correctly. Experts say that mild diarrhea will not have much impact, and expectant mothers just need to pay more attention to their diet and drink more water. However, severe diarrhea can be very serious, and if not treated in time, it is very likely to lead to premature birth.

1. No need to worry about mild diarrhea

Will diarrhea during pregnancy affect the fetus? I believe this is a question many expectant mothers have. Experts say that diarrhea in pregnant women is the same as that in ordinary people, and most cases are caused by infection. The most common pathogens are Salmonella, Shigella, etc.; colds and flu can also cause diarrhea; it may also be caused by food allergies such as eating seafood.

Some pregnant women are too nervous. If their stools are a little loose or occur more frequently, they think they have diarrhea. They are very worried and seek medical attention immediately. In fact, there is no need to be too nervous. Although diarrhea can indeed cause abnormal gastrointestinal motility, one or two episodes of diarrhea will not affect the fetus. If you experience mild diarrhea, pregnant women can go to the toilet like ordinary people. After the toxins are discharged, they will be fine if they no longer have abdominal pain and diarrhea. You can also eat some white porridge to cleanse your stomach. Experts emphasize that mental stress is actually harmful to the fetus.

2. Be alert if you have repeated diarrhea

Frequent and severe diarrhea should be taken seriously, because repeated diarrhea leads to frequent gastrointestinal motility, which over time can cause uterine contractions and lead to miscarriage or premature birth. Therefore, if diarrhea recurs for more than 24 hours, you should not delay and see a doctor as soon as possible and take medication as prescribed by the doctor. In addition, if pregnant women suffer from repeated diarrhea, it will inevitably affect the absorption of nutrients, which will also have a certain impact on the development of the fetus.

It should be noted that diarrhea is often accompanied by abdominal pain, which can be easily confused with uterine contraction pain, especially uterine contractions caused by violent and frequent gastrointestinal motility. If threatened miscarriage or signs of premature labor occur and are mistaken for pain caused by diarrhea, delays can easily occur. Experts remind that if pregnant women go to the hospital for treatment due to repeated diarrhea, they can explain the situation to the guiding nurse to reduce the waiting time and see the doctor as soon as possible.

3. Take antidiarrheal medicine according to doctor's advice

During pregnancy, many women avoid taking medicines like the plague and would rather not take them if possible. They would rather bear the "small problems" themselves for fear that the medicines will harm the baby. It is true that pregnant women should be extremely cautious about taking medications, but "carrying on" is not necessarily good for the fetus. Experts suggest that if diarrhea is severe and recurrent, you can take some antidiarrheal and anti-inflammatory drugs that are safe for mother and baby as prescribed by your doctor. You can also take some preparations that regulate gastrointestinal flora.