Mucus In Stool During Pregnancy: Causes, Treatment And Prevention

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Excess mucus in stool during pregnancy may occur due to gastrointestinal issues or pregnancy-related factors, such as hormonal changes that affect the digestive system. Gastric mucus is produced in the stomach and helps in the motility of the digested food in the gastrointestinal tract. We excrete some mucus in stools usually. However, pregnancy may increase the amount of mucus excreted, making it more noticeable (1).

Excess mucus due to underlying issues is treatable. Read this post to learn the various causes and treatment options for excess mucus in stool during pregnancy.

Is It Normal To Have Mucus In Stool During Pregnancy?

Experiencing mucus in stool during pregnancy is not uncommon and can be attributed to a range of gastrointestinal issues (2) (3). that often go unnoticed. Particularly in the first trimester, when significant bodily changes occur, the chances of passing excess mucus in the stool are heightened. However, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and seek medical advice if you observe an excessive amount of mucus accompanied by pain and bleeding. You may consult an obstetrics and gynecology specialist to help determine the cause of the condition.

What Causes Mucus in Stool During Pregnancy?

Some possible causes of secretion of excess mucus in stool during pregnancy are (3) (4) (5) (6):

1. Dehydration: Hydration is for a healthy gut and mind. During pregnancy, water intake is crucial for the mother and her fetus. Dehydration might be one of the prime factors for the excretion of mucus in the stool.

2. 2. Irritable bowel syndrome: Change in routine, stress, and infection may cause irritable bowel syndromeⁱA disorder of the digestive system leading to recurrent gas, pain, diarrhea, and bowel issues . The symptoms may include mucus in stool, abdominal discomfort or pain, and alternating diarrhea and constipation.
   3. Hormonal change: Various hormonal changes occur in your body during the gestational period. Some pregnancy-specific hormones may directly or indirectly regulate the mucus secretion in the stool during pregnancy.
   4. Infection in the stomach: Bacterial or viral infection in the intestinal tract may result in excess mucus secretion in the stool. Intestinal parasites such as tapeworms, hookworms, amoeba, and pinworms could be the reasons.
      Some symptoms of stomach infection that may accompany the secretion of mucus in the stool are diarrhea, cramping, vomiting, nausea, and fever

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Quick fact

Giardiasis is an intestinal parasite infection that may cause greasy stools with stomach cramps and nausea. Pregnant women may face more dehydration than others (12).

5. Food allergies: Lactose intoleranceⁱA condition in which the body is unable to digest lactose sugar, resulting in digestive problems  and specific food allergies may also result in mucus secretion in the stool.
6. Intestine blockage: The fetus might be pushing against the intestine wall, resulting in blocked intestine and constipation. The body might be oversecreting mucus in the stool to ease constipation.
7. Medications or vitamins: Prenatal intake of vitamins fortified with iron or calcium during pregnancy may be associated with excess mucus excretion in stool.
   

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8. Hemorrhoids: Piles or hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the anus usually accompanied by constipation during pregnancy. During pregnancy, hemorrhoids may occur due to constipation and pressure from the growing baby.

Quick tip

Gently applying a cloth wrung out in iced water to the affected area may help ease the pain and reduce inflammation (13).

9. Other gastrointestinal conditions: These include Crohn’s diseaseⁱA chronic, inflammatory gastrointestinal condition causing severe digestive symptoms , ulcerative colitisⁱA chronic condition that results in swelling and ulcers of the colon and rectum , colon polypsⁱSmall, benign growth of tissues in the mucosal lining of the colon (large intestine) or rectum , and diverticulitisⁱA disease wherein tiny sacs protrude inside the walls of the colon, causing inflammation and bleeding .

What Are The Treatment Options And Ways To Prevent Mucus In Stool?

Identifying the cause behind mucus secretion is essential for the treatment. Some treatments options available for reducing mucus in the stool during pregnancy are (7) (8) (9 ):

1. Stay hydrated: Taking plenty of water during pregnancy may help reduce dehydration-induced constipation. It can also avoid the accumulation of various toxins in the body. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends drinking around 8 to 12 cups (64 to 96 ounces) of water every day. Excess fluids, including more fresh juices in your diet, are beneficial. Water also helps absorb water-soluble vitamins (vitamins B and C) from the diet into the body.
   

   Image: IStock

2. Take a healthy diet: A healthy and balanced diet rich in green leafy vegetables and fiber supplements can help reduce constipation during pregnancy.
3. Change medication: If you have mucus secretion in the stool followed by vitamin intake, you may consult your physician. It might be possible to change the particular medication to help you relieve mucus in the stool.
4. Use laxatives: In constipation, your health care provider may suggest a laxative or a stool softener. The laxatives are over-the-counter medication and may help reduce constipation and mucus secretion in the stool.

Health fact

Mild laxatives such as milk of magnesia, bulking agents (metamucil) and stool softeners (docusates) may be prescribed during pregnancy (14).

5. Get the infection cured: If the origin of mucus in the stool is an infection, your doctor may suggest an antibiotic regime to control the infection. It is best practice to complete the course of antibiotics for complete recovery and reduce recurrence.
6. Avoid allergic food: In case of food allergies, try to identify and avoid the allergen in your food. Abstaining from the source of allergy may help regain a healthy gut and reduce mucus secretion in the stool. It is always good to limit junk and spicy foods for better health during pregnancy.

Did you know?

Celiac disease, which is caused due to gluten sensitivity, has been linked to an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (15).

7. Include mild exercises: Exercising during pregnancy can help you stay healthy and fresh. A little warmup followed by movement exercise will keep your gut healthy. It may help ease constipation-induced mucus secretion. Mild exercises and physical activities are safe during the pregnancy. Walking and jogging may keep you active and aid digestion.

Image: IStock

When Should You Call The Doctor?

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Mucus in stool is not a sign to worry about. You may improve your lifestyle and undertake preliminary measures to reduce the excess secretion of mucus in stool.

When stool has an excess amount of visible mucus during pregnancy, it may be due to health conditions, such as (10) (11) :

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease

One may take note of the symptoms and consult a doctor in the following cases:

• There is an excess amount of mucus in the stool
• Blood or pus in the stool
• Pain while passing stool
• Having stomach pain, cramping, or bloating
• Sudden changes in stool frequency, consistency, or color

Infographic: Risk Factors And Evaluation Of Mucus In Stool While Pregnant

Although passing minute amounts of mucus in stool may be normal during pregnancy, certain factors increase the quantity of mucus in stools and the risk of other gastric problems. Here is an infographic with the possible risk factors and diagnostic tests for this condition during pregnancy.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Dalle E/MomJunction Design Team

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Miguel Angel Razo OsorioMD

Dr. Miguel Razio Osorio began his career in 2004 and has 19 years of experience in various fields of gynecology. After two years of internship and social service, he decided to specialize in G&O. Since 2013, Dr. Razo has dedicated his training and practice to improving his patients' obstetric and gynecological health, getting his degree as a certified specialist in 2017.

Read full bio of Dr. Miguel Angel Razo Osorio

Anshuman MohapatraM.Tech (Biotechnology)

Anshuman Mohapatra is a biotechnology scientist with more than six years of research experience in analytical chemistry and biotechnology. He has submitted his PhD thesis at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) and served as a research fellow (JRF/SRF) during his PhD tenure.

Read full bio of Anshuman Mohapatra

Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

Read full bio of Rebecca Malachi

Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

Read full bio of Dr. Joyani Das