What are the causes of blood in the stool during pregnancy?

Any physical discomfort during pregnancy may affect the fetus, so you must be extra careful. During pregnancy, pregnant women are particularly prone to bloody stools, and in severe cases, it may even lead to anemia, which will definitely have an impact on the fetus. There are many reasons that can cause bloody stools in pregnant women, among which hemorrhoids are the most common reason, so today I will introduce to you the reasons that cause bloody stools in pregnant women.

1. Hemorrhoids

Most cases of bloody stools in pregnant women are caused by hemorrhoids. This is because after a woman becomes pregnant, gastric acid secretion decreases and gastrointestinal motility slows down. In addition, during pregnancy, the enlarged uterus directly compresses the rectum, causing stool to clump in the intestines, which can easily cause the veins in the lower rectum to rupture and bleed, which is bleeding in the stool.

Symptoms of bleeding: The bleeding is bright red. In mild cases, there is blood on the toilet paper, followed by dripping blood. In severe cases, there is spurting bleeding.

Countermeasures:

Expectant mothers with hemorrhoids can treat it by adjusting their diet and taking daily fumigation and sitz baths. For example, eat more vegetables and fruits rich in fiber, which have a laxative effect, and eat less spicy and irritating foods. In addition, follow the doctor's instructions, have bowel movements on time every day, and insist on taking sitz baths with decoctions of rhubarb, phellodendron, etc. When appropriate, you can also use medicines such as hemorrhoid suppositories.

2. Rectal polyps

Pregnant women with rectal polyps may also experience blood in their stools.

Bleeding symptoms: mainly painless bleeding in the stool. Bleeding occurs during bowel movements and stops after bowel movements. The amount of blood varies, and generally the blood does not mix with feces. However, if the polyps are located high and numerous, they may also mix with feces.

Countermeasures:

Usually, simple rectal polyps have little effect on pregnant women and fetuses and do not require special treatment. However, if the expectant mother has rectal polyps and bleeding in the stool, or even prolapses outside the anus, it is best to communicate with the doctor and use colonoscopy or rectal electrosurgical resection treatment.

3. Anal fissure

If a pregnant woman has anal fissure, blood in her stool may also occur.

Symptoms of bloody stool: Bleeding occurs in the form of blood stains on one side of the stool surface that is not mixed with the stool, and some patients have blood dripping after defecation.

Countermeasures:

Pregnant women with anal fissures should not take medication blindly. Instead, they can first use the following methods to relieve the symptoms, such as maintaining good hygiene in the anus and cleaning the anus in time after defecation. It is best to take a warm water sitz bath before defecation to reduce the impact of feces on anal fissures. In addition, dietary conditioning is also very important. You should pay attention to eating a light diet and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables to prevent constipation. Taking a proper walk every day and not standing or sitting for long periods of time can help pregnant women heal anal fissures.