During pregnancy, a woman’s body keeps on changing. While most of them are considered normal, but there are manifestations that require medical intervention. One of the most common disorders that cause every woman worry in the state is dark stools during pregnancy. A pregnant woman feels deteriorating health, and there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract. The first month of pregnancy can worsen existing diseases of the digestive system, or generate new disease. The result may be a change in stool consistency and color.

A lot depends on the diet of pregnant women. Taking fried, salty, smoked foods can lead to various complications in the stomach and pancreas.

Important Facts About Dark Stool During Pregnancy

Causes of Dark stool during pregnancy:

Intake of prenatal vitamins

In most cases, the color change of the stool, if you are taking prenatal vitamins, is related to the iron in the pill. Pregnant women often become anemic because their blood volume increases by approximately 50%.

Hormonal Changes

Dark stools in pregnancy in the early stages are due to hormonal changes. A woman’s body produces a large amount of the hormone progesterone, which affects all organs, causing them to function differently.

Ingestion of drugs

Dark-colored stools during pregnancy are due to the ingestion of certain drugs or synthetic vitamins.

Intake of activated charcoal

Sometimes pregnant women during indigestion drinks activated charcoal. This natural sorbent is allowed for women in the state, but the color change of the stool can be observed under its influence. In this case, there is no cause for concern.

Intake of dark pigments

Also, dark stools occur during pregnancy if the woman had eaten products containing dark pigments. Organic dyes are not used by the body and go along with the feces, which gives it a dark color.

Medication

Certain medications can cause stools that develop a very dark color. Pepto-Bismol, a popular over-the-counter medicine used to treat stomach pains, can cause dark colored stools.

Bleeding

The bleeding that occurs within the digestive system will cause a color change in the stool. If bleeding occurs in the stomach, the stool will appear very dark instead of bloody from the time it passes.

The food

Dark-colored stools can result from eating certain foods during pregnancy. Cranberries and licorice, in particular, are known to convert dark colored stools.

Remedies of Dark stool during pregnancy:

High fiber diet

Fiber is very important because it helps the intestine to work better. Some rich sources of high fiber food are:

– Fruit (especially plums, kiwis and dried fruits like dried apricots, dried figs): It is convenient to take fruits with skin, washing them well before consuming them. Nuts also have high doses of fiber.

– Vegetables: It is advised to include the salad in your diet at least once daily. It is preferable to cook vegetables and not fatty foods such as chorizo, blood sausage, bacon, etc., which hinder intestinal transit.

– Bread and cereals: It is advisable that you choose bread, pasta and whole grains instead of refined ones since the latter have a lower fiber content.

Exercise

Do some moderate exercise, such as walking, swimming or doing yoga, at least 2 or 3 times a week. This will not only help you to regulate your digestions, strengthening the intestinal muscles, but it will also be beneficial for your general wellbeing and will prepare you better for childbirth.

Much liquid

Get used to drinking a lot of water, because the lack of liquid contributes to the slower digestion process. Although there is no specific rule as to the amount needed to consume, try to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of fluid. It does not necessarily have to be water, try soft teas, broths, fruit juices, etc.

Go to the toilet

Have enough time to stay in the bathroom. Do not ignore the urge to go to the saddle.

Follow good diet routine

To eat:

• Fresh fruit,
• Vegetables,
• Dry beans and legumes.

To avoid:

• Elaborated foods,
• Fats,
• Foods that irritate the stomach

Dark stools during pregnancy are not always indicative of disease. In many cases, this change is the norm and does not require medical intervention. Patients should discuss the appearance of black stools after starting a new medication with a doctor to determine if the medication is the culprit.

However, if all this does not help you, talk to your gynecologist who can prescribe a safe laxative to take in your state. Your doctor may also prescribe a special test to check for the presence of blood in a stool sample during pregnancy. The test is very non-invasive and patients are able to collect a stool sample from home and put it in the doctor’s office for testing.

Hope this article was of help to you! Please share your comments/queries/tips with us and help us create a world full of Happy, Healthy and Empowered Women!!

References:

https://www.livestrong.com/article/168220-causes-of-dark-stool-during-pregnancy/ef

https://www.beingtheparent.com/dark-stool-during-pregnancy/