Mucus in stool during pregnancy is common, but in excess, it can lead to various health issues. Here is a story that gives you details on its causes.
Mucus is nothing but a white or yellow fluid which helps in lubricating the airway and gastrointestinal tract. Besides lubrication, this fluid protects the surface of the digestive, respiratory, and excretory system against corrosive agents like stomach acids.
During pregnancy, a woman's body goes through various changes; out of which mucus in her stool is common. It is not an unusual occurrence, and usually goes away within a few days.
Many a time, it has been found that the excess body fluids are excreted along with stool in form of mucus. However, if the condition persists and is accompanied by abdominal pain or bleeding, then it may mean that you are suffering from some underlying condition, and in such cases you need to get medical attention immediately.
There may be several reasons for mucus in stool and the most common being infection in the digestive tract or the intestine.
In Stool
Many pregnant women complain about the condition. There may be several reasons, such as irritable bowel syndrome, parasitic infection, ulcerative colitis, anal fissure, bowel obstruction, and bacterial infection.
◆ A common issue faced by most pregnant women is irritable bowel syndrome, a condition wherein the linings of the intestine are infected, usually bacterial infection. The characteristic symptoms include nausea, bloating, abdominal muscle cramps, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea.
If you get these symptoms, it means that there's something wrong with the gastrointestinal tract. And this may lead to bloody mucus discharge along with the stool.
◆ Ulcerative colitis is another reason for blood and mucus being discharged along with stool. Many a time there may be white mucus, for which ulcerative colitis may be the reason. In this condition the latter part of the large intestine is inflamed. Some of the symptoms of this condition include cramps and pain in abdomen, bleeding from the rectum and diarrhea.
◆ There are several parasites that may infect the intestinal tract, causing bloody mucus discharge with stool. Parasites may enter the body if you eat contaminated food or water. As the immune system becomes slightly weak, there is high possibility of bloody mucus discharge with stool.
◆ Fissure in the anal opening may also cause bloody mucus discharge with stool. This is an abnormal condition, wherein the edges of the anus crack and causes extreme pain.
Passage of hard stool and chronic constipation are some of the most common reasons for this condition and this may result in bloody mucus. You should also try to find out the blood in stool diagnosis procedure, so that you know the process of identifying the exact condition which you suffer from.
In Urine
Pregnant women are at high risk of contracting urinary tract infection between weeks 6 and 24. As the uterus is located just above the urinary bladder, the growth in uterus increases the pressure exerted on the bladder, thereby constricting the passage through which urine passes, which in turn may cause an infection.
Some of the common symptoms include burning sensation or pain while urinating, frequent urination, lower abdominal pain or cramps, foul-smelling urine, vomiting, nausea, fever, chills, and back pain.
So, all in all, mucus in stool during pregnancy is usually not a serious condition, but if mucus is excreted along with blood, the condition needs medical attention. You need to get in touch with a doctor so that you know the exact reason behind this condition.
Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.