How to deal with bloody stool?

During pregnancy, many expectant mothers may experience blood in the stool. If the expectant mother ignores it during pregnancy, it might increase the difficulty of childbirth in the future.

How should I deal with bloody stool?

From the colour of blood, the texture of the stool, other symptoms, etc., to find out the cause of bloody stools and treat it accordingly.

1. Haemorrhoids: dry stool with red blood

If the stool is dry and hard with bright red blood streaks and with or without pain, it might be haemorrhoids. Most haemorrhoids cause bloody stool.

How to prevent getting haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids and constipation are like “best friends”. They are always present together. Thus, treating constipation will reduce the risk of getting haemorrhoids. 

Expectant mothers can do this:

Exercise every day to promote gastrointestinal motility and reduce constipation.

Avoid eating fast food, eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, which can lubricate the intestines and help defecation. Go to the toilet every day regularly to develop a good habit of defecation.

2. Constipation, bleeding, perianal pain: anal fissure

If the expectant mother has constipation for long term, and the blood is seen after passing motion, it can be an anal fissure. It is often accompanied by periodic pain. Expectant mothers can do this:

Train good habits of regular bowel movements. Do not strain too much if the stool is hard and dry. You can use a wet cotton swab or shower gel to massage the perianal to assist in the discharge of the stool.

3. Black stool: stomach bleeding

If you have black tarry stool, you should be aware of the possibility of stomach bleeding. Of course, other physiological reasons may cause the stool to turn black, such as taking iron-containing drugs.

In addition, after eating too much animal liver and animal blood, the stool will also be in dark red colour, and even tar-like stools, which are physiological phenomena.

4. Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, blood in the stool: mild ulcerative colitis

There are many types of mild ulcerative colitis, and bloody diarrhoea is the most common symptom. Other symptoms are abdominal pain, blood in the stool, weight loss, and vomiting.

Expectant mothers can do this:

Proper exercise, eating soft, digestible, nutritious and calorie-rich foods. Do not eat cold and greasy food.

5. Diarrhoea with sticky blood: intestinal infectious diseases

If the stool has sticky blood and is accompanied by the symptoms of hypothermia and diarrhoea, it could be intestinal infectious diseases such as bacterial dysentery and amoebic bowel disease.

Expectant mothers can do this:

Seek medical advice promptly!