Why is my stool hard or constipated during pregnancy?

The increase in progesterone causes delayed bowel movements as the muscles in the intestine become relaxed; besides, the growing uterus may exert pressure on the intestine.

Can I expect to have watery stool during pregnancy?

Loose stool may occur due to changes in hormones, diet, and even drinking plenty of water, but frequent cases of diarrhoea should be brought to the attention of the doctor.

Is it normal for bowel habits to vary between each trimester?

Yes, because of changes in hormones and an increase in the size of your uterus, it is usual for your bowel habits to vary during pregnancy.

Why Does Stool Colour or Consistency Change During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy changes so many things in your body, including your digestive system. If you have observed any changes in your bowel movements recently, you need to know that you are not the only one, and you need to learn more to know if these changes are dangerous or not.

What Causes Changes in Consistency of Stools During Pregnancy?

As stated by Dr Chaudhary, it is not uncommon for pregnant women to have colour and consistency changes in their stools. Higher levels of progesterone lead to slower digestion and, hence, to a higher incidence of constipation in pregnant women.

Alternatively, women can also experience diarrhoea from time to time, depending on the diet and the increased sensitivity to certain foods. The digestive system is adapting to an entirely different environment of hormones and food, so changes are expected.

Moreover, these changes can even progress as pregnancy progresses. In particular, constipation becomes more prevalent in the late trimester of pregnancy due to both hormone effects and pressure exerted by the enlarging uterus on the intestines.

Why Does Your Stool Colour Change During Pregnancy?

According to Dr Chaudhary, one of the most common reasons why stools become dark green or black is the use of iron supplements during pregnancy, which poses no risk. This is one of the most common causes for changing the colour of your stools and is associated with the metabolism of iron.

In addition, consumption of large quantities of vegetables, beets, and artificially colored products may cause changes in the colour of stools. Small changes in bowel movements are not usually worrying, especially if no other signs are accompanying them.

However, if you have recently changed your diet or started taking some medications, then it would be useful to consider all the food that you had eaten for the last day or two before concluding that the changes are caused by some more serious conditions.

When Should Changes to Your Digestion Be Considered Serious?

Whereas most changes are nothing to worry about, there are certain signs that you need to take note of. According to Dr Chaudhary, chronic diarrhoea may cause dehydration, whereas extreme constipation may cause haemorrhoids or an anal fissure.

“Pale or clay coloured stools, bright red blood, persistent black, tar-like stools that are unrelated to the iron supplement, and mucus associated with severe stomach pains should be treated with urgency since they might be an indicator of liver disease, gastrointestinal bleed, or infections.”

Dr Alka Chaudhary, Senior Consultant, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital.

This is a significant point to remember. If you have dark stool because of your iron supplement, then it is quite different from persistent black stool that is not caused by your iron supplement.

How Can One Ensure Good Bowel Health?

Some easy tips for ensuring good digestive health during pregnancy, according to Dr Chaudhary, are:

Consuming a fibre-rich diet
Consuming enough water
Staying active and exercising
Following the doctor’s recommendations about iron intake

These practices will help you manage your constipation, as well as any other problems related to digestion, more easily.

When Do You Need to Contact Your Doctor?

Seek professional help if you experience:

Pale or clay-coloured faeces
Bright red blood in your faeces
Black, tarry faeces which are not due to an iron supplement
Mucus in faeces along with severe abdominal pain
Diarrhoea which increases your chances of dehydration
Severe constipation along with pain and bleeding

Change in colour or consistency of stools might seem weird while being pregnant, but focusing on such small things can really help in preserving your health. Most probably, any change that you observe will be because of the fluctuation in your hormones, diet, or iron supplement, but still, it is better to know what is normal for you. Make sure you maintain enough fibre and water content in your body and take the supplements recommended by your doctor.

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FAQs on Why Stool Colour or Consistency Changes During Pregnancy

Why is my stool hard or constipated during pregnancy?
The increase in progesterone causes delayed bowel movements as the muscles in the intestine become relaxed; besides, the growing uterus may exert pressure on the intestine.
Can I expect to have watery stool during pregnancy?
Loose stool may occur due to changes in hormones, diet, and even drinking plenty of water, but frequent cases of diarrhoea should be brought to the attention of the doctor.
Is it normal for bowel habits to vary between each trimester?
Yes, because of changes in hormones and an increase in the size of your uterus, it is usual for your bowel habits to vary during pregnancy.