Bloody Stool During Pregnancy: Causes and Home Treatments

It’s always distressing if you find blood in your stool or see blood on the toilet paper after wiping. If you’re pregnant, you might feel particularly concerned. After all, your body is doing important work. You don’t want anything to go wrong, and you certainly don’t want to find out that you’re experiencing a serious medical issue.

Thankfully, except in rare cases, most instances of bloody stool during pregnancy are fairly innocuous and don’t signal a medical emergency. In fact, the majority of instances of bloody stool in pregnancy are because of common pregnancy ailments.

Is it normal to poop blood during pregnancy?

Rectal bleeding during pregnancy is quite common, likely because of how common constipation, hemorrhoids, and anal fissures are during pregnancy.

A 2018 study noted that two-thirds of pregnant people experienced peri-anal disease, which includes anal fissures and hemorrhoids. Incidences were highest in the third trimester and after giving birth.

Was this helpful?

According to a 2020 review of studies, experiencing blood stool in pregnancy is common. The majority of the time, causes include nonserious conditions such as hemorrhoids and anal fissures. Rarely, bloody stool in pregnancy is caused by more serious conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. In especially rare cases, bloody stool may be caused by cancer.

Anal fissures

Anal fissures are small tears in your anus, usually caused by constipation or straining while pooping. Anal fissures can also be caused by frequent diarrhea, STDs, inflammatory bowel disease, HIV, and anal sex. Pregnancy is a frequent cause of anal fissures because pregnant people are more prone to constipation.

Anal fissures usually only last about 6 weeks or so, but more serious anal fissures can become chronic. Symptoms of anal fissures include:

• Light bleeding while passing stool or after a bowel movement
• Blood from anal fissures is usually bright red
• Anal pain
• Pain during and after a bowel movement

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids occur when the veins around your anus and rectum get inflamed or become swollen. This usually happens because of straining while pooping or because of hard, impacted stool putting pressure on your anus and rectum.

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common pregnancy ailments, affecting between 25 to 35 percent of pregnant individuals. Constipation during pregnancy is one factor that makes hemorrhoids more likely. Additionally, pregnant people are more likely to experience hemorrhoids because of the increase in blood circulation that happens during pregnancy and the increased weight and pressure of the uterus.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids may include:

• Bright red blood in your stool, on the toilet paper after wiping, or in the toilet bowl after pooping
• Small, tender lumps close to your anus
• Itchiness
• Pain when sitting

Other causes

Although anal fissures and hemorrhoids are the most common causes of bloody stool in pregnancy, other causes can include having a stomach virus or bacterial infection that causes diarrhea. Blood in stool during pregnancy can also be caused by inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease), which can be exacerbated during pregnancy or emerge for the first time.

In rare instances, blood in stool during pregnancy may be caused by a malignancy, such as colorectal cancer. Incidences of this are rare; only about 1 in 1,000 pregnant people receive a diagnosis of cancer.

When to call a doctor

Bloody stool in pregnancy isn’t something to panic about. Still, you should talk with a doctor or midwife anytime you see blood in your stool during pregnancy. The majority of the time, it will be something like anal fissures or hemorrhoids. But occasionally, you might be experiencing something more serious, so it’s important that you discuss your symptoms with them.

Although inflammatory bowel disease is less likely, it can be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and needs to be treated promptly. It’s also important that a healthcare professional rules out serious conditions, such as colorectal cancer.

You may be wondering if you’re more likely to experience bloody stool during the first, second, or third trimester. Here’s what we know:

• Anal fissures and hemorrhoids can happen at any time during pregnancy, but they’re more likely to happen as your uterus gets larger or during times when you’re constipated.
• A 2022 review of studies noted that anal fissures and hemorrhoids were most likely in the third trimester of pregnancy.
• According to an older 2014 study, of the pregnant people who experienced hemorrhoids, 61 percent experienced them in the third trimester, 1.6 percent experienced them in the first trimester, and 34 percent experienced them after giving birth.

Treating the common causes of bloody stool during pregnancy means treating the condition that is most likely to cause it: constipation. Once constipation is addressed, both anal fissures and hemorrhoids will be less likely to happen.

You’ll want to work on healing and treating the anal fissures and hemorrhoids themselves as well.

Treatment for constipation

According to an older 2012 study, constipation during pregnancy can be treated by:

• Increasing fiber in your diet and drinking extra fluids
• Adding more exercise and movement into your day
• Probiotics
• Trying a bulk-forming agent such as psyllium or other fiber supplements
• With doctor/midwife approval, trying a stool softener or laxative

You can also discuss the option of trying an additional prenatal vitamin with a doctor or other healthcare professional, especially if you’re taking one with iron, which can cause constipation.

Don’t forget!

For best effect, make sure to space out taking a fiber supplement with any other medications or supplements you’re taking. Otherwise, the fiber can block your body from being able to absorb the medication properly.

Make sure to discuss any possibility of reactions or lessened effects with a doctor before you add a vitamin to your regimen as well.

Was this helpful?

Treatment for anal fissures during pregnancy

Some common ways to treat anal fissures during pregnancy include:

• Taking a sitz bath or a short, warm bath
• Taking topical analgesics with a doctor’s or midwife’s approval

Treatment for hemorrhoids during pregnancy

Treatments for hemorrhoids during pregnancy are similar to treatments for anal fissures and may include:

• Sitz baths
• Epsom salt baths
• Hemorrhoid creams and suppositories
• Spending less time straining on the toilet
• Avoiding frequent sitting, or using a hemorrhoid pillow for comfort
• Wipes and pads soaked in witch hazel

If you’re pregnant and you notice blood after pooping or blood in your poop, it’s understandable that you may feel alarmed or distressed. You may even feel embarrassed and ashamed. Still, it’s important that you share these symptoms with a doctor or midwife. You can be assured that a doctor or other healthcare professional won’t find this surprising, as bloody stool is quite common in pregnancy.

In the vast majority of cases, an anal fissure or hemorrhoids will be diagnosed, and you’ll be given tips for how to manage these conditions. If a doctor or other healthcare professional believes other causes are to blame, they may discuss further testing with you.

Rectal Bleeding During Pregnancy | Village Emergency Centers

During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through numerous changes and challenges. And while most expectant mothers know to expect certain physical and emotional changes throughout their pregnancy, others may come as an uncomfortable surprise. Rectal bleeding during pregnancy is a common occurrence that many pregnant women experience; keep reading to learn more about the causes of rectal bleeding and find out when to seek medical treatment. 

What Causes Rectal Bleeding During Pregnancy?

There are lots of medical conditions in which rectal bleeding can occur. If you notice blood in your stool or on your toilet paper, you may want to explore some of these issues and discuss them with your doctor.  

Hemorrhoids

• More often than not, rectal bleeding during pregnancy is caused by hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are usually swollen blood vessels in the rectal area and are often the result of straining during a bowel movement or sitting for long periods of time on the toilet bowl. Although they can be alarming and painful, they are typically not a cause for serious concern. 

Frequent constipation or diarrhea

• Nearly half of all pregnant women experience constipation and diarrhea. This is caused by a combination of stress, increased progesterone hormones, abdominal pressure from the baby, decreased exercise, or irregular iron levels. These bowel changes can put a strain on the anus, causing rectal bleeding. 

Vitamin deficiencies

• Vitamin deficiencies are the culprit of many issues throughout pregnancy. As the body prepares for the fetus’s development and breastfeeding process, the mother needs to consume more foods that are rich in vitamins and nutrients to better support the baby. If a mother isn’t eating enough or supplementing her diet with vitamins, this can oftentimes lead to constipation or diarrhea, which can, in turn, cause rectal bleeding. 

Food cravings

• During pregnancy, women often experience food cravings for unique meals. If your diet while pregnant varies drastically from what you are accustomed to eating, then this can cause digestive issues that may lead to rectal bleeding. 

Can I Prevent Rectal Bleeding? 

If you are experiencing frequent rectal bleeding throughout your pregnancy, there are a few measures you can take to provide a more comfortable pregnancy moving forward! To avoid or prevent the worsening of hemorrhoids and anal fissures, implement some lifestyle changes to help you stay regular and avoid strained bowel movements: 

Eat a high-fiber diet 

• Eat a diet rich in foods like whole-grain cereals and bread, as well as fruit and vegetables. Avoid heavily processed or excessively sugared foods where possible. 

Drink plenty of water 

• Dehydration is a key contributor to constipation. By drinking an adequate amount of water, you’ll help maintain comfortable, regular bowel movements. 

Exercise regularly 

• Partake in low-impact activities to help ease constipation. Workouts like walking, swimming, and yoga help you get moving without putting excess strain on the lower abdominal muscles, preventing pregnancy complications. 

Take bathroom breaks as needed 

• If you need to go, then go. Holding a bowel movement when you feel the urge can lead to straining later on, so take as many bathroom breaks as you need to. 

Take a prenatal vitamin

• Prenatal vitamins will help prevent vitamin deficiency and keep your bowel movements regular and lessen the chance of constipation.

Use a stool softener

• Ask your health care provider if they can recommend some pregnancy-safe stool softeners to help ease constipation.  

How to Soothe Pain From Rectal Bleeding?

There are lots of home treatments for bleeding caused by hemorrhoids. If you have hemorrhoids or anal fissures that are causing you discomfort, you may find it helpful to use a cold compress or heating pad, depending on your personal preference. You should also invest in high-quality, soft toilet paper or flushable wipes to avoid unnecessary abrasiveness. Your doctor may also be able to provide a safe topical cream to aid in hemorrhoid relief by soothing inflammation, but these medications are typically for short-term usage. 

When Should I See a Doctor About Bleeding Hemorrhoids and Anal Fissures?

Be sure to see a medical professional if you notice bright red blood on your toilet paper or underwear. Although rectal bleeding during pregnancy is usually harmless, it may be difficult to tell whether or not the blood is coming from your rectum or vagina. If you feel that you are bleeding excessively or worry that you are experiencing pregnancy complications, then go to an emergency room immediately.

Don’t Wait for Emergency Medical Care

For first-time mothers, pregnancy is full of unknowns. If you need emergency medical treatment, don’t waste crucial time sitting in a waiting room. Find an emergency room near you and get the treatment you need, fast!

Stretch marks – the whole truth – articles from the specialists of the clinic “Mother and Child”

Brezgunova Svetlana Leonidovna

Obstetrician-gynecologist

Clinic “Mother and Child” Togliatti

What is it

Stretch marks are also called striae. They appear in any area of ​​the body, but more often occur in those places where there is a large amount of fat. The most common locations are chest, abdomen, underarms, shoulders, hips, back and buttocks.

Stretch marks look like stripes on the skin, and over time their color changes. “Fresh” stretch marks are pinkish-red in color, the skin on them is slightly convex. Gradually, the striae increase in length and width, become bluish-violet, and eventually become discolored. This happens because at first there are still blood vessels inside the striae, which is why initially the stretch marks have such a bright color. Then the blood supply at the site of the stretch marks stops, the vessels become empty, the resulting skin defect is filled with connective tissue and the stretch marks become white. Since there is no pigment in the connective tissue, even under the influence of sunlight, the stretch marks remain white. Moreover, against the background of tanned skin, they become more noticeable.

Why they occur

It seems that the reason for the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy is clear at first glance: the expectant mother’s belly grows, the skin stretches, and stretch marks form. Why, then, do they not occur in all expectant mothers? And is their appearance associated with weight gain? After all, it has been noticed, for example, that the likelihood of stretch marks does not depend on the size of the abdomen during pregnancy.

Stretch marks may appear in a woman with a small tummy, while a woman expecting twins will bypass this problem.

Why is this happening? Several factors come into play here. Yes, indeed, one of the reasons for the appearance of stretch marks is weight gain, but it is not so much the number of kilograms gained that is important, but how quickly a woman gained them: the faster the expectant mother gains weight, the higher the risk of stretch marks. That is why even with a small increase in weight, stretch marks can appear. The second reason for stretch marks is hormonal imbalance. During pregnancy, the amount of estrogen and cortisol decreases, resulting in a violation of the synthesis of skin and connective tissue proteins – collagen and elastin. Namely, with the help of these proteins, our skin can stretch well and restore its elasticity.

If there is not enough collagen and elastin, then the skin becomes brittle and thins faster, eventually, it breaks in some areas, and then scar connective tissue is formed in the places of tears .

And here is how the body of the expectant mother will behave during pregnancy: whether there will be sharp jumps in weight and hormonal imbalance (which means that stretch marks will appear or not, it is impossible to predict).

What to do?

Let’s just say that There is no 100% effective treatment for and prevention of stretch marks. For example, most creams, lotions, gels for the prevention of stretch marks simply contain moisturizing ingredients and help soften the skin, but do not affect the balance of hormones. Therefore, these remedies cannot prevent the appearance of stretch marks if hormonal disorders have occurred. Yes, and after childbirth, various laser procedures, peelings and resurfacing will not get rid of stretch marks at all, they will simply make them more invisible.

But this does not mean that we should give up and do nothing. You can do just a lot of things: even if you do not achieve a 100% effect, there will still be benefits.

– Monitor the nutrition of the and avoid sudden weight fluctuations. Do not forget to eat protein foods – protein, together with zinc and vitamin C, stimulates the production of collagen, which gives the skin elasticity. If you don’t feel like meat yet, include fish, dairy products and legumes in your diet – these are also sources of healthy protein.

– Avoid sweets – sugar slows down collagen renewal, the skin loses elasticity and water, becomes dry, sluggish, its elasticity decreases.

– From the first days of pregnancy constantly nourish and moisturize the skin . To do this, use creams, gels, lotions with collagen, elastin, as well as vitamins C and E . The main thing is that these drugs must be approved for use during pregnancy. Before you buy this or that product, carefully read the instructions and the composition of the drug. Find out the mechanism of action of biologically active substances of a cosmetic product from a sales assistant. If you still have doubts, consult with your obstetrician-gynecologist. Look into your wallet and make a choice.

– If finances allow, do salon procedures for body moisturizing that are allowed during pregnancy (seaweed wraps, for example), if not, limit yourself to ordinary skin moisturizing, it is also effective.

– Regularly take a contrast shower : it tones and firms the skin, and the problem areas receive the blood flow they need. You can massage individual parts of the body alternately with cold and warm jets. Just don’t aim the jet directly at your stomach.

– After showering, don’t dry your body, just pat it dry with a towel. You can do light pinching self-massage using moisturizing creams or natural vegetable oils (such as olive or linseed). Massage promotes the removal of excess fluid and activates the work of blood vessels – they quickly carry nutrients throughout the body. Important: when massaging the abdomen and chest, massage only the sides, thighs and legs.

– Swim : the contrast of water and air temperature, active physical activity also contribute to the prevention of stretch marks.

– During pregnancy , wear special bras, they will support the enlarged breasts and will not allow the skin to overstretch.

Even if stretch marks appear, don’t get upset. It has been noticed that if you immediately start a set of preventive measures (moisturizing the skin, proper nutrition, water procedures), then often stretch marks do not spread further. And if you start prevention from the first days of pregnancy, they may not appear at all.

REMINDER for moms

Start attacking stretch marks as early as possible: the younger they are, the less money and time it will take to eliminate them.

1. Watch your diet, try not to gain weight suddenly.
2. Daily moisturize and nourish the skin, not only the abdomen and chest, but also the thighs, buttocks, legs.
3. Lead an active lifestyle: walk in the fresh air, play sports, swim.
4. Take a contrast shower, do self-massage.
5. Wear the right underwear: a maternity bra is especially necessary for expectant mothers with large breasts

Note:

Stretch marks cannot be predicted. Even if during the last pregnancy there were no or, on the contrary, there were stretch marks, then there is no guarantee that the situation will repeat itself in the next pregnancy

You can make a composition for stretch marks yourself.

Here are the oils that will suit you:

• Jojoba oil is the most effective remedy: it is used for the prevention and elimination of skin stretch marks during and after pregnancy, as well as for weight gain and sudden weight loss.
• Essential oil of rosewood – helps to increase skin elasticity, also helps to dissolve small scars.
• Almond oil – especially effective for the care of areas of the body where skin elasticity is reduced.
• Grape seed oil – has a strong regenerating effect, improves skin elasticity.
• Peach oil – has a regenerating, softening effect on the skin, restores elasticity, rejuvenates sagging skin.

You can use any combination of these oils, such as jojoba + almond oil, or jojoba + grape seed oil.

Before using any oil, read the instructions, pay attention to contraindications. Try the oil or formulation on a small area of ​​your skin and see how it reacts throughout the day. If you experience discomfort or allergies, discard this remedy.

Make an appointment

to the doctor – Brezgunova Svetlana Leonidovna

Clinic “Mother and Child” Tolyatti

PregnancyPregnancy managementGynecologyChildren’s hospitalPregnancy diaryOperative childbirthPregnancy planningPreparation for operative childbirthPreparation for partner childbirthBaby care programMom’s school programsSchedule of childbirthPhysiological pregnancyFitness for pregnant women

click the send button, I consent to the processing of personal data

Dermatoses of pregnancy

Cost: from 1500 rubles
Sign up

Pregnancy is a wonderful time for any woman, especially when it is a planned and desired event in the life of a couple. Unfortunately, due to various circumstances, pregnancy does not always occur naturally – in such cases, modern medicine offers various procedures for assisted reproductive technologies. This makes the woman’s attitude to such a natural process even more reverent. And here, often, our skin can present surprises. A number of skin conditions can worsen during pregnancy. However, traditionally prescribed drugs have limitations for use in such a situation. And here it is important that the specialist has experience in treating such situations.

Our Clinic is unique in some way, since many years of experience in managing women with skin diseases during pregnancy is not only the head physician, who has been a consultant at the D.O. Ott, but also other specialists who are employees of the Department of Skin Diseases of the First Medical University. Academician I.P. Pavlov.

Now let’s try to explain the causes and identify the most common skin diseases during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the main cause of skin lesions is considered to be changes in the immune system of the pregnant woman. Pathological processes can be manifested by an exacerbation of chronic skin diseases or the appearance of specific pregnancy-associated dermatosis, the so-called “pregnancy dermatosis”.

Changes on the skin are very diverse both in manifestations and in the mechanisms of development. Conventionally, they can be divided into 3 groups:

I. Pregnancy stigmas:

Chloasma is the best known of them. As a development mechanism, various functional endocrine-metabolic changes during pregnancy are assumed. It appears as brownish spots of indefinite outlines, often symmetrical, on the skin of the cheeks, forehead, chin, neck without subjective sensations. Chloasma can occur at different gestational ages, intensifying as it develops and disappearing without a trace shortly after childbirth. But with subsequent pregnancies, chloasma occurs again. Exposure to sunlight enhances the severity of spots.

Pregnancy melanosis – skin changes in the form of hyperpigmentation in the nipples, genitals, white line of the abdomen, also without subjective sensations or inflammation. After childbirth, these disorders disappear. Chloasma and melanosis usually do not require special treatment and spontaneously regress after delivery.

II. Skin diseases relatively common during pregnancy:

This group includes a variety of skin changes and diseases that often accompany pregnancy, as well as some common dermatoses, the course of which usually worsens during gestation. The main mechanism is a change in hormonal ratios in the body of a pregnant woman. This, in turn, affects the functionality of the immune and nervous systems, the state of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, cardiovascular activity, water-salt metabolism, etc.

This group includes: hyperhidrosis

• hypertrichosis
• palmoplantar telangiectasias
• erythema of the palms
• alopecia – hair loss
• onychodystrophy – changes in the nail plates

Most of these and other conditions, as a rule, disappear after childbirth. Their treatment, if necessary, is symptomatic.

The course and severity of symptoms of other skin diseases also change during pregnancy. These primarily include eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen planus, acne, Dühring’s herpetiformis. During pregnancy, they often worsen, and exacerbations are usually more pronounced, more severe than before gestation. Sometimes, on the contrary, during pregnancy, a remission occurs, which continues until childbirth, after which another exacerbation occurs. Correction of exacerbations of these dermatoses during pregnancy is very difficult. Many medicines used under normal conditions affect the development of the fetus. Therefore, external symptomatic therapy becomes the leading method.

III. Actually dermatoses of pregnant women

The four skin diseases characteristic of pregnancy, gestational pemphigoid, polymorphic dermatosis of pregnancy, atopic dermatitis of pregnancy, and cholestasis of pregnancy can be distinguished by clinical presentation, histopathology, risk of fetal complications. Only gestational pemphigoid and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy are associated with significant risk to the fetus. Since all of these dermatoses are characterized by pruritus, careful evaluation of any pregnancy with pruritus is necessary.

Pregnancy pemphigoid , formerly known as herpes gestationis, is the rarest of the skin disorders of pregnancy and is an autoimmune disease. Clinically, it manifests itself in the form of papules and plaques, transforming into vesiculobullous elements, localized in the umbilical region with spread to the chest, back and limbs. Pemphigoid usually resolves spontaneously within a few months after delivery. As a rule, there is a recurrence of dermatosis during subsequent pregnancies with an earlier onset of dermatosis and greater severity compared to the previous pregnancy. Treatment should be aimed at reducing itching and blistering. In mild cases, topical corticosteroids and antihistamines are effective. In severe pemphigoid, it is advisable to use systemic corticosteroids.

Polymorphic dermatosis of pregnancy (PEP) is a benign, pruritic inflammatory disease. It usually occurs at the end of the third trimester or immediately after delivery in the first pregnancy. Urticarial papules and plaques appear first on the abdomen and, unlike gestational pemphigoid, do not affect the umbilical region. The rash usually spreads to the thighs and buttocks, and can rarely be widespread. Eruptions with clear boundaries regress spontaneously within 4-6 weeks without treatment. Treatment for PEP is based on symptomatic relief with topical corticosteroids and antihistamines. If the rash becomes generalized, a short course of systemic corticosteroids may be used.

Atopic dermatitis of pregnancy (AEP) is the most common skin disorder in pregnant women. AEP is a benign disease characterized by an pruritic eczematous or papular rash. Two-thirds of AEP cases are characterized by eczematous skin changes localized to atopic areas of the body such as the neck and flexor surfaces of the extremities. The remaining cases are characterized by a papular rash in the abdomen and extremities. Lesions usually respond well to treatment and resolve spontaneously after delivery. However, AEP is more likely to recur in subsequent pregnancies. Dermatosis does not significantly affect the fetus, but there is an increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis in an infant.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) – characterized by itching with acute onset, which often begins on the palms and soles, and then generalizes. The skin has mostly secondary lesions such as excoriations but may also have papules. In 10%, jaundice develops due to concomitant extrahepatic cholestasis. After giving birth, itching goes away within a few weeks. There is a risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies. Diagnosis of ICP is important because there is a risk of complications for both mother and fetus.

Treatment is aimed at normalizing the level of bile acids in the blood serum in order to reduce the risk to the fetus and to control symptoms in the mother.