Pooping a Lot During Pregnancy – Causes and When to Worry?

When you are pregnant, a lot of small problems can be an indication of a much larger problem. For example, one of the most overlooked pregnancy issues is pooping, especially during late pregnancy. Often, it is not a problem, but frequent bowel movements during pregnancy can be a sign of an infection, a condition called irritable bowel syndrome or allergies. To better understand how much is too much when it comes to bowel movements during pregnancy, it is first important to understand if this is a normal phenomenon. In this article, we’ll look at why you might poop a lot during pregnancy, what causes it, and when you should consider speaking with your doctor.

Is It Normal to Poop a Lot During Pregnancy?

The first thing we must understand about bowel movements is that it varies from person to person. In most cases, frequent bowel movements during early pregnancy are a symptom of minor hormonal changes that are common during this period. In some cases, however, frequent bowel movements signify an infection, irritable bowel syndrome or an upset stomach. Considering this aspect, we recommend you avoid spicy foods, fried foods, and foods that are hard to digest when pregnant (1).

Apart from this, you may have also increased your intake of fruits and vegetables during this phase. This can also lead to an increase in your bowel movements in a day, as certain fruits like prunes, apples, and kiwis can act as a natural laxative. At any rate, it’s usually best to visit the bathroom often than be constipated, as long as there isn’t an unhealthy reason behind this development!

Reasons for Frequent Bowel Movements During Pregnancy

Many women notice they poop more often during pregnancy, and while it can be surprising, it’s usually a normal response to the many changes happening in the body. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most common reasons why this happens.

1. Changes in Hormones

Most of us will experience at least a few undesirable side effects during pregnancy due to the high levels of pregnancy hormones; frequent urination may be one of them for you. Progesterone can relax muscles, including the muscles involved in digestion. As a result, constipation is a common side effect for many women, but it’s excessive defecation for some (2).

2. Add-ons (Especially Iron)

Most of us take prenatal supplements while pregnant, and some women may have stomach trouble. Although folic acid or folate is essential, if your diet is healthy, you might not need the other nutrients.

3. Stress and Anxiety

Anxiety and stress are other causes of frequent bowel motions. Feeling anxious and even afraid is normal when you first learn you’re pregnant. Additionally, there is no assurance that your anxiety will diminish as your pregnancy continues. If you believe that your shift in poop habits is due to anxiety or high-stress levels, now would be an excellent time to learn some relaxation techniques (3).

4. Changes in Diet

Of course, it might just be a result of your altered diet. When you learn you’re pregnant, you probably feel inspired to improve your diet and take better care of yourself. This entails consuming more organic fruits, veggies and water. You might discover that you’re using the restroom more frequently due to all of this, which can directly affect your bowel movements.

How to Ensure Excessive Pooping Is Not Diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea is commonly the cause of frequent bowel movements. It is also important to note that diarrhoea often results in stools that are watery or present in a semi-liquid form. In most cases, if your stools are solid during pregnancy, it is not diarrhoea. If you are often pooping and it isn’t diarrhoea, consult your doctor to rule out any infections or other complications (4).

What if You Are Suffering From Diarrhoea?

If you are suffering from diarrhoea, you shouldn’t panic; this is normal during pregnancy. Diarrhoea during pregnancy is most commonly caused due to the shift in hormone levels and weaker immunity, which strains your digestive tract. If you are suffering from diarrhoea, first consult your doctor. If the doctor says there is no food poisoning, infection, or any other medical problem or condition (apart from the pregnancy itself), then make key lifestyle changes by avoiding consuming heavy foods, sugary drinks, and other hard-to-digest consumables. Remember to exercise as well as this helps your digestive tract and keeps your body resistant to conditions that may harm you due to a weakened immune system (5).

When to Call Doctor?

In most cases, frequent bowel movements during pregnancy, from the second trimester to the end of your pregnancy, should be monitored carefully. During the first trimester, the risk of suffering any complications is minimal. After the first trimester, diarrhoea and frequent stools will be common but dissipate within a couple of days or a week. If this doesn’t happen, visit a doctor immediately.

Frequent bowel movements during pregnancy can strain an already exhausted body. During this time, the stools will drain essential minerals from your body and dehydrate you. Therefore, it is important that you stay hydrated and consume mineral-infused water frequently during this period. Consult your doctor for more information about frequent bowel movements during pregnancy.

FAQs

1. Why am I pooping a lot in my third trimester?

As your due date draws closer, diarrhoea during the third trimester becomes more likely. It can happen just before labour or a few weeks beforehand, and it might be a clue that labour is about to start. An early birth should not be anticipated if you are a few weeks past your due date.

2. Can you have a miscarriage while pooping a lot?

While it doesn’t result in a miscarriage, diarrhoea can impact a pregnancy. Sometimes having a loose stool is normal, but if you have more than three days of diarrhoea or a fever of at least 100.4 F, consult your doctor immediately.

3. Is it safe to take medications if you’re pooping a lot during pregnancy first trimester?

While some over-the-counter remedies may seem harmless, not all are considered safe during early pregnancy. Always consult your doctor before using any medications to manage frequent bowel movements to ensure the health of both you and your baby.

Digestive changes like frequent bowel movements are a common part of pregnancy, and for many women, the connection between early pregnancy and pooping a lot can be surprising. As long as you’re feeling okay otherwise, it’s usually nothing to stress about. However, if anything feels off, such as tummy cramps, diarrhoea that won’t go away, or dehydration, it’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor.

References/Resources:

1. Baylor College of Medicine – Maintaining a healthy pregnancy

2. PubMed Central – Progesterone Inhibitory Role on Gastrointestinal Motility

3. Cleveland Clinic – Frequent Bowel Movements

4. Brown University Health – Gastrointestinal Issues During Pregnancy

5. Tommy’s – Diarrhoea and vomiting in pregnancy

Also Read:

Pooping in Delivery
Green Stool when Pregnant
Mucus in Stool during Pregnancy
Causes of Dark Stool While Pregnant

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