Pregnancy brings a lot of changes in your body. One of the most frustrating changes that most pregnant women will suffer with is bowel changes in early pregnancy.
Pregnant women may suffer from either constipation, or even frequent poops. Is pooping a lot an early pregnancy symptom? Why do some women experience frequent pooping in pregnancy?
Is Pooping A Lot An Early Pregnancy Symptom?
First of all, having bowel changes in early pregnancy is a very common symptom. As many as 72% of pregnant women admitted to having had at least one bowel issue during early pregnancy.
These bowel issues included constipation, diarrhea, loose stool, frequent stool and even hemorrhoids.
Don’t be too alarmed by your frequent pooping as long as you’re staying hydrated.
Why Do Some Women Experience Frequent Pooping in Pregnancy?
Some women may poop a lot in early pregnancy for a myriad of reasons, but the three most common reasons are hormonal changes, diet changes and the effects of prenatals.
When women become pregnant the hormones Estrogen and Progesterone dramatically increase and can cause many different side effects.
The hormones are the reasons for most pregnancy symptoms including bowel changes.
Both Estrogen and Progesterone affect the gut in early pregnancy, because the hormones slow down digestive function. The slower digestive tract is meant to help the developing embryo get all of the nutrition that it may need.
The slow digestive tract can lead to not only constipation, but can also lead to more frequent bowel movements. A study was completed on the effects of Progesterone and pooping. The study suggested that Progesterone increased the frequency of bowel movements. Those who struggle with bowel movements often turn to supplements like ActivatedYou to assist them during times of constipation. Having a healthy digestive system is important regardless of being pregnant, so these types of supplements are very popular.
In the study, researchers found that 42% of women taking Progesterone pills had begun to poop a lot more. Therefore, it would be concluded that pregnant women might poop more due to the increase of Progesterone in their body.
Another reason for the pooping a lot in early pregnancy is the change in diet. When women become pregnant they tend to not only think about themselves, because they are carrying another life.
They begin to wonder about every piece of food that they eat and how it will affect their growing baby. Many pregnant women will change up their diet. When one is beginning to focus on healthier foods they tend to eat more vegetables as well as fruits.
Most popular fruits and vegetables are high in fiber. Foods that are high in fiber will cause individuals to poop a lot more often.
Some of the foods that might cause more frequent pooping are peaches, strawberries, avocados, apples, raspberries, bananas and even broccoli.
So, many women are turning towards eating these types of foods in order to provide a healthier “home” for their little baby, but then the foods are packed with fiber. Thus, causing more frequent bowels.
Prenatals can also be a cause for pooping a lot in early pregnancy.
Prenatals are known for being packed with iron. Too much iron can cause severe constipations. Therefore, pharmaceutical companies started putting in stool softeners to help counteract the effects of iron.
The stool softeners occasionally work better than predicted and may cause you to poop a lot more frequently.
Solutions to Pooping A Lot in Pregnancy
There are many home remedies that pregnant women can try in order to help relieve some of their frequent pooping. Some of the remedies recommended:
Change to prenatals that don’t have a stool softener in them.
Drink 8-10 cups of water. Remain hydrated!
Avoid sugary drinks, or sweets.
Add honey to your meals.
Adding a probiotic to your diet.
Doctors advise women who are suffering with loose stools to focus on avoiding extra sugar as well as drinking a lot of water to stay hydrated.
The Institute of Medicine has recommended pregnant women to drink 10 cups of water each day. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends to drink less than 200 milligrams of caffeine each day to avoid becoming dehydrated.
Conclusion
Pooping a lot is certainly an early pregnancy symptoms. The hormonal changes in women’s bodies can impact their bowel movements and can cause pregnant women to poop more frequently.
It is very normal, but if you begin to experience diarrhea than you should consider talking to your doctor about you concerns in order to avoid major medical issues.
