Why is dark feces during pregnancy? Reasons for concern

During pregnancy, changes occur in the woman's body. Most of them are considered normal. But there are manifestations that require medical intervention. One of the most common disorders that makes every woman worry in a position is dark feces during pregnancy. Why the pregnancy changes the color of the stool, and what it signals, described in the article.

Reorganization of the body

From the moment of conception in the woman's body, the processes aimed at developing the fetus begin. The pregnant woman feels deterioration of health and observes problems with the gastrointestinal tract. In the first months of pregnancy, existing diseases of the digestive system may become aggravated or new diseases may arise. The result can be changes in the consistency and color of the stool.

Much depends on the nutrition of the pregnant woman. The intake of fried, salted, smoked food can lead to a number of complications in the work of the stomach and pancreas.

Dark feces during pregnancy in the early stages also happens due to hormonal changes. The woman's body produces a large amount of hormone progesterone, which affects all organs, causing them to function differently. Therefore, dark stool during pregnancy does not always indicate a disease. In many cases, such a change is the norm and does not require medical intervention.

In addition to darkening of feces, the frequency of urination, pulse, pressure, hemoglobin level and even psychological state change in a woman.

Other causes of discoloration of the stool

Very often darkening of feces is the norm and occurs as a result of hormonal activity of the body. Also feces of dark color during pregnancy are due to the taking of certain medicines or synthetic vitamins. Manufacturers of drugs always indicate in the instruction the action of the components on the organs of different systems.

Sometimes pregnant women during a digestive disorder can drink activated charcoal. This natural sorbent is allowed for women in the position, but under its action there may be a change in the color of the stool. In this case, there is no cause for concern.

Also, dark feces during pregnancy are observed if a woman ate foods containing dark pigments. Organic dyes are not absorbed by the body and go along with feces, giving it a dark color.

If, in addition to changing the stool, no other disorders are noticed and the well-being of the pregnant woman is normal, there is no need to panic. Doctors recommend such women to observe a few days for their health. If during this time the color of the stool does not change, you should visit a doctor.

Products that change the color of feces

Dark feces during pregnancy can be the result of the use of the following products:

1. Berries are black (blueberries, currants).
2. Some fruits (blue grapes, pomegranate).
3. Prunes.
4. Vegetables of dark color (beets, tomatoes).
5. By-products (blood, liver).
6. Drinks (red wine, juices from dark grape varieties, coffee).

If the pregnant woman used any of the above products on the eve, she is more likely to be healthy. Darkening of feces occurred under the influence of coloring pigments, which the body withdrew along with digested food.

Action of medicines

Often, women observe changes in stool after taking medications. Darkening of stool can cause such medications:

1. Preparations of iron ("Ferrum-Lek", "Sorbifer", "Tardiferon").
2. Multivitamins that contain iron ("Elevit", "Vitrum").
3. Sorbents (activated carbon).
4. Preparations, which include bismuth ("De-Nol").
5. Anti-inflammatory drugs of the non-steroid group (Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Aspirin).

Most women get hemoglobin during pregnancy. Therefore, doctors prescribe drugs to provide the body with the necessary amount of iron. Reception of such funds is the most common cause of black stool.

Before the appointment of the iron preparation, the therapist should talk about possible changes in the stool so that the woman reacts calmly to the dark feces.

Alarm signals

Sometimes black feces can be a symptom of the disease. It can indicate bleeding of the digestive system. The risk zone includes pregnant women who have had a stomach or duodenal ulcer. In such women, dark feces during pregnancy can indicate internal bleeding, provoked by an open ulcer. But in this case, not only the color changes, but also the consistency of the stool.

Other symptoms of possible health problems:

• Deterioration of well-being;
• pallor;
• cold sweat.

If, in addition to darkening stool, the woman has these symptoms, it is necessary to seek medical help.

If the feces are green

Dark green feces during pregnancy indicate a change in the nutrition of a woman. Basically, staining the stool in green is associated with a certain diet. Many pregnant women are intensely concerned about their health and use excessive amounts of green leafy vegetables. Broccoli, spinach, lettuce contain a green pigment that stains the feces in the appropriate color.

Also, the cause of the green color of the stool can be complexes of vitamins and minerals. Such preparations contain in a lot of different microelements, the undigested part of which stains the feces in green color.

Prevention of stool disorders

In most cases, a change in stool color is not a symptom of the disease. Most often, stool darkening is provoked by diet disorders.

In order for the gastrointestinal tract to function normally, doctors advise pregnant women to monitor the intake of different foods, make up a daily diet and closely monitor the body's reaction to medications.

In some cases, feces during dark pregnancy are associated with diseases of the digestive system. Therefore, women who previously had GI diseases should carefully monitor their health and the entire pregnancy should be monitored by the therapist. To prevent complications, the doctor can prescribe prophylactic drugs.

Dark feces, which arose because of the intake of iron, is not an excuse to cancel it. Deficiency of iron can lead to the development of intrauterine pathologies and even cause premature birth. In this case, it is recommended to discuss with the doctor all the exciting issues, in order to respond normally to changes in the body.

If the stool darkening is caused by the disease, you should seriously treat the treatment. Diseases of a pregnant woman can adversely affect the fetus.