DIARRHEA DURING THE THIRD TRIMESTER: A SIGN OF LABOR OR THREAT?

19/09/2022

During the third trimester, pregnant women are very susceptible to diarrhea, which is also one of the many signs of labor. However, what if diarrhea is not a sign of labor, but a threat? Together with AIH, let’s find the answer to this case in the following content.

► Causes of diarrhea during the third trimester 

Gastrointestinal problems often occur during pregnancy, diarrhea is considered one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in pregnant women. The causes of diarrhea during third trimester is commonly a bacterial infection from the daily poor hygienic diet.

In addition, hormonal changes in the late pregnancy period is one of the causes of diarrhea. In this period, changed hormonal level (hormones) can decelerate the digestive system function causing constipation, or conversely, accelerate the digestive system function result in diarrhea in pregnant women.

► So what do mothers need to do to improve diarrhea? 

The phenomenon of loose stool that takes place in many days will cause maternal dehydration, the most important thing in this moment is to keep maternal body staying hydrated. Water will help refill lost fluid in mothers.
On the other hand, mothers also need to stay away from high-fat foods, fried foods, spicy foods, milk and dairy products. These foods can make diarrhea worse and more uncomfortable.
Mostly, diarrhea can go away on its own within 2 to 3 days by proper diet without medication treatment. If diarrhea lasts longer than the above period, mothers need to see a doctor immediately, self- medication is absolutely not allowed without doctor's advice. Prolonged and exacerbated dehydration can result in pregnancy complications, affecting both mother and baby.

According to Dr. Nguyen Phuong Nam - obstetrics, pregnant women with diarrhea need to adjust their diet, minimize fat foods, soft drink. If this condition lasts more than 48 hours, several times a day, blood in stool is noticed, fever, vomiting, it is necessary to go to the medical facility immediately for prompt emergency treatment and follow doctor instructions, minimizing bad situations that affect maternal and fetal health.

At the AIH, physicians and nutritionists will monitor and provide specific recommendations for individual parturient in order to create the best care plan for maternal and fetal health. AIH is the pioneer international hospital in Vietnam applies a system of American standrad delivery suites - LDRP, which bring parturients and families to comfortable and convenient experience of childbirth as placing them in an unique versatile room for entire delivery process: labor- vaginal delivery – recovery – postpartum.

Especially, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is fully equiped with standard state-of-the-art medical devices, together with leading medical experts including neonatologists, neonatal nurses, physiotherapists, pediatric nutritionists to ensure safety and excellent care for babies since they are born.

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