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Green Stool During Pregnancy - Is It Normal?
Pregnancy brings about changes in the body, some that you are aware of and some that take you by surprise. Your stool is normally light brown, and depending on what you ate the previous day, it can vary a few shades. Some women, however, experience green poop which can be concerning, especially during their first pregnancy. Read further to know more about how it occurs and what it means.
What Does Healthy Pregnancy Poop Look Like?
Generally, poop during your pregnancy wouldn’t look any different than from when you weren’t pregnant. The changes you notice are brought about by hormonal fluctuations and dietary changes you make during pregnancy. Normal poop is brown because there is a digestive juice in it called bile, which is produced by the liver. Bile juice is greenish-yellow in colour and helps in breaking down fats in the food. As it moves through your intestine, enzymes and bacteria react with it and eventually change its colour to brown.
A range of colours is considered normal for poop, starting from light yellow to dark brown or black. Dark green stool during pregnancy is considered normal, unless accompanied by other symptoms. A good way to assess healthy poop is that it should be soft enough to not hurt when you go and cohesive enough to stay intact in the toilet.
Is It Normal to Have Green Stool during Pregnancy?
Your stool is composed of a number of things, such as water, indigestible food like fibre, fat, and cholesterol, protein, dead bacteria, and intestinal mucus. Pregnancy can alter your digestive process and change the colour of your stool. Therefore, it’s quite normal for pregnant women to have green stool. As a matter of fact, it is a relatively common complaint among pregnant women. Although debatable, some even consider green poop as an early sign of pregnancy, due to the hormonal changes involved.
Causes of Green Poop During Pregnancy?
The usual brown poop colour is due to bacterial action on your bile juice. Normal bowel movement gives the microbes enough time to convert the bright yellow-green bile juice to the darker brown. One reason why your poop could be green is that it has passed through the digestive tract too quickly, before the bile could be broken down properly. There are several factors that cause this:
Health Issues or Diseases That Cause Green Poop
These are some of the diseases that can cause green poop:
1. Cellac Disease
It is an autoimmune disorder that occurs genetically, where the ingestion of a protein called gluten, present in grains such as barley, wheat and rye, can cause immunological reactions. It causes inflammation in the small intestinal lining, which inhibits absorption of certain nutrients and leads to complications.
2. Giardia
This is a parasitic infection of the intestine that can be contracted by ingesting contaminated food or water. It clears out on its own in most cases, whereas severe cases need to be treated with antibiotics.
3. Pseudomembranous Colitis
This is an inflammatory disease of your colon, due to the overgrowth of a certain type of bacteria. It’s often a result of antibiotics causing a disruption of the healthy bacteria in the colon. This leads the bacteria C. diff to outgrow them, throwing off the balance.
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
This affects the large intestine, where the muscles that help food move through the large intestines contract irregularly and stronger than normal, causing bloating, gas, and diarrhoea.
5. Ulcerative Colitis
It is a bowel disease that affects the innermost lining of the colon and rectum. It causes ulcers and inflammation in the digestive tract leading to abdominal cramps and indigestion. Patients suffering from this also have a high risk of developing colon cancer.
6. Intestinal Cancer
The cancerous growth in the intestine affects bowel movement, by blocking or restricting its flow. This can greatly affect digestion.
7. Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease affects parts of the intestine and colon, and can sometimes be life-threatening. It cannot be cured, but medications are used to slow down the progression of the disease.
8. Salmonella Food Poisoning
Salmonella is a bacterial infection that can be contracted by eating contaminated food. It is mostly spread by contaminated, undercooked poultry.
9. E. Coli
E.coli is a commonly found bacterium that causes food poisoning and spreads through the ingestion of contaminated food and water. Undercooked meat is also a major cause for the spread E.coli.
10. Viral Gastroenteritis
Viral gastroenteritis, commonly called stomach flu, spreads through contaminated food, water, or sharing utensils or towels with a person who is infected.
Other Causes of Green Poop During Pregnancy
Excluding hormonal changes and diseases, there are few other factors that can lead to green coloured poop.
1. Diet
What you eat influences the colour of your poop. You may have noticed that a day after consuming beetroot. Many pregnant women eat plenty of greens in the form of broccoli, green leafy vegetables, and spinach, for all the essential nutrients they need. This over-intake of chlorophyll (the pigment in leaves that makes them green) can turn their poop green. Therefore, limiting greens can fix the issue.
2. Irregular Colonic Transit Time
This refers to how long the food you eat stays in the large intestine before it goes out of the body. Short transit times lead to green poop, as the green bile moves quickly through the colon, along with undigested food.
3. Prenatal Vitamins
Sometimes, even a healthy diet cannot offer you all the nutrients you need in the right quantities, and in those circumstances, your doctor prescribes you prenatal vitamins for an extra boost. Some of the minerals, such as iron, present in the vitamins can turn the poop green, as the body sometimes fails to absorb it or cannot absorb all of it.
4. Medications
Certain medications, such as antibiotics given during an infection, can sometimes turn your poop green. What you need to remember is that the change is temporary, and the colour will eventually return to normal, once the antibiotics course is stopped.
5. Laxatives
If you are on laxatives, they speed up the movement of food in your intestines, which can result in green poop. Slower transit time cannot fully breakdown the bile juice, which turns your poop green.
How to Deal With it?
Generally, there’s no need to worry about green stool during pregnancy. Thousands of women experience it everywhere. It could a bit unnerving if you’re a first time mother, therefore, talking to your doctor and ruling out any serious condition is the first step to take the edge off. If green stool still bothers you and you’re certain it is caused by your diet, make changes to it and eliminate foods that may contain dyes such as green or purple. Switch to a prenatal pill that has less iron, if the pills are causing the colour, after a consultation with your doctor. If you are on medication for an infection, bring it to your doctor’s notice, so the dosage can be lowered or changed.
1. Diet
What you eat influences the colour of your poop. You may have noticed that a day after consuming beetroot. Many pregnant women eat plenty of greens in the form of broccoli, green leafy vegetables, and spinach, for all the essential nutrients they need. This over-intake of chlorophyll (the pigment in leaves that makes them green) can turn their poop green. Therefore, limiting greens can fix the issue.
2. Irregular Colonic Transit Time
This refers to how long the food you eat stays in the large intestine before it goes out of the body. Short transit times lead to green poop, as the green bile moves quickly through the colon, along with undigested food.
3. Prenatal Vitamins
Sometimes, even a healthy diet cannot offer you all the nutrients you need in the right quantities, and in those circumstances, your doctor prescribes you prenatal vitamins for an extra boost. Some of the minerals, such as iron, present in the vitamins can turn the poop green, as the body sometimes fails to absorb it or cannot absorb all of it.
4. Medications
Certain medications, such as antibiotics given during an infection, can sometimes turn your poop green. What you need to remember is that the change is temporary, and the colour will eventually return to normal, once the antibiotics course is stopped.
5. Laxatives
If you are on laxatives, they speed up the movement of food in your intestines, which can result in green poop. Slower transit time cannot fully breakdown the bile juice, which turns your poop green.
How to Deal With it?
Generally, there’s no need to worry about green stool during pregnancy. Thousands of women experience it everywhere. It could a bit unnerving if you’re a first time mother, therefore, talking to your doctor and ruling out any serious condition is the first step to take the edge off. If green stool still bothers you and you’re certain it is caused by your diet, make changes to it and eliminate foods that may contain dyes such as green or purple. Switch to a prenatal pill that has less iron, if the pills are causing the colour, after a consultation with your doctor. If you are on medication for an infection, bring it to your doctor’s notice, so the dosage can be lowered or changed.
As far as health issues go, avoiding contracting infections is not only good for the colour of your poop, but also your health in general. Wash and cook all foods thoroughly, especially meat. Wash your hands often and use generous amounts of sanitizer when you are out. Eat on time and follow a balanced diet to keep your digestive system functioning well.
When to Call a Doctor?
You can ignore the changes in the colour of your stool, now and then, if they are not accompanied by any other warning symptoms. Schedule an appointment if you’re experiencing green poop more often. You’ll be asked about changes you’ve made to your lifestyle and diet after you got pregnant. Such information can reveal the underlying causes of a colour change. There are rare cases where green stool could indicate serious health problems, and you should contact your doctor if you notice:
Blood or green mucus in stool.
Diarrhea and watery stool that lasts for a few days, with cramping and abdominal pain.
Physical symptoms such as rectal pain, fever, and loss of appetite, along with green stool
Intermittent bouts of constipation
FAQs About Green Stool During Pregnancy
1. Do Green Stools Indicate Pregnancy?
Fluctuation in hormones, caused by pregnancy, may cause discharge that is green-yellow in colour, often mistaken for green, watery stools. Make sure to visit a doctor if you notice this happening, as it could indicate you are pregnant, or even just help in diagnosing an infection in its early stages.
2. Should I Be Concerned About Green Stool?
If you are sure of the cause of green stool being nothing but certain foods or supplements, it shouldn’t worry you. However, if you notice other symptoms like cramping, bleeding, signs of an infection such as fever, shivering, etc, consult a doctor.
3. What Should My Poop Ideally Look Like During Pregnancy?
Poop when you are pregnant should ideally be the same as poop when you are not pregnant. However, it is advised to stay vigilant and notice any symptoms that are out of the blue, such as unexplained green stool, abdominal pain, etc.
Green stools in pregnancy are common and not a cause for concern most of the times, so take a deep breath and consult your doctor to rule out or diagnose any serious issues.
Also Read:
Rectal Bleeding in Pregnancy
Constipation during Pregnancy Read more
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Mirror Twins - Causes & Characteristics
Nowadays, giving birth to twins is fairly common. When you are expecting twins, you hope to have a boy and a girl. But do you know that you can give birth to mirror twins as well? You must be wondering what mirror twins is... are you now?
You must be aware of fraternal twins and identical twins. Fraternal twins are formed when 2 eggs released at the same time are fertilised by two different sperms simultaneously, resulting in 2 genetically different children. Identical twins (monozygotic twins) are formed when one fertilised egg splits into two and develops into 2 babies with the exact same genetic information. Identical twins look very much alike and have the same genetic material.
Mirror Twins or mirror image twins are a type of identical twins. Their features appear on opposite sides, like a mirror image. For example, one mirror twin may have a mole on her left cheek, the other twin will have the same mole on her right cheek.
What are Mirror Twins?
Mirror twins or mirror identical twins are twins whose features appear asymmetrically or on the opposite sides. Identical twins have the same sex and share the same blood type. Mirror twins have identical physical features, but asymmetric features. For example, one twin could be left-handed, and the other could be right-handed. In extreme cases, mirror twins may have mirrored internal organs, where the placement of internal organs may be reversed in one of the twins.
Causes of Mirror Twinning
Mirror image twinning occurs because of the late splitting of the fertilised egg. For regular identical twins, the egg splits into two between 2 and 8 days of conception. In the case of mirror twins, the egg splits into 2 much later, between 9 and 12 days of conception. This causes the twins to mirror each other.
Is There Any Test to Detect a Mirror Pair?
While identical twins can be detected with a DNA test as they share the same genetic material, it is not possible to determine if they are mirror twins by genetic testing. An examination of the physical characteristics has to be done to find out if the identical twins are actually mirror twins.
Characteristics of Mirror Image Twins
Mirror image twins may have several characteristics that are reversed. Some of these are:
Birthmarks and moles – They may appear asymmetrically in mirror twins. For example, one twin will have a birthmark or mole on the right side of the cheek, and the other will the same mole on the left cheek. One may have a birthmark on the right leg, while the other will have the exact same birthmark on the left leg.
Freckles and dimples – These are also asymmetrical in mirror twins. For example, if one has a dimple on the left side of the chin, the other will have the dimple on the right side of the chin. The pattern of freckles can also be asymmetric in mirror twins.
Hand orientation – Hand orientation is usually asymmetric in mirror twins. For example, if one twin is right-handed, the other is usually left-handed.
Hair whorls – Mirror twins may have hair whorls in opposite directions. If one twin has hair that swirl clockwise, the other may have hair that swirl counterclockwise.
Eye shape and eyebrow shape – Eye shape and eyebrow shape can also be reversed in mirror image twins. For example, if the right eye is slightly smaller in one twin, the left eye of the other twin will be small.
Ear shape – Ear shape can also be asymmetric in mirror twins. The ridges and bumps of the outer ear are unique to every individual. This can be reversed in mirror twins.
Nostril shape – The shape of the nostrils may also be asymmetric in mirror twins.
Organs – In extreme cases, which is rare, the positioning of the internal organs may be opposite in mirror twins. This is called ‘situs inversus’, where internal organs like the heart, stomach or liver are found on the opposite side of their usual anatomical position.
Mirror Twins’ Personality – Mirror image twins may also have opposite personalities. For example, one may be highly introverted, while the other may be an extrovert. One may prefer sleeping on the right side, while the other may prefer sleeping on the left side.
Difference Between Mirror Twins and Identical Twins
Identical twins are monozygotic, which means a single fertilised egg splits into two and forms two embryos that share the same genetic material. Identical twins are formed when the egg splits into two between day 2 and day 8, while mirror twins are formed when the egg splits late, between day 9 and day 12 causing the twins to mirror each other. If the egg splits after 12 days, it results in conjoined twins, where the twins are not completely separated from each other and may even share an organ.
Mirror twins are identical twins and their characteristics mirror each other. All mirror twins are identical twins, but all identical twins may not be mirror image twins.
Mirror twins are a fascinating type of identical twins. Not every set of mirror image twins will be opposite-handed or will have moles on the opposite sides. This is because the degree of mirror imaging differs for every set of twins.
Also Read: Vanishing Twin Syndrome Read more
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Diaper-Free Time for Babies: Why and How to Do It?
Baby diapers come as a blessing for moms and have simplified their lives. Diaper keeps a baby dry and clean. Diapers also look modern and are suitable if you want to take your baby outdoors. After hearing so many positive things about diapers, I (just like all other new moms) was ready with my newborn diaper pack when my baby arrived! Initially, using diapers was very easy as everything was new and establishing a good latch to breastfeed was my first priority. Slowly things settled down, I recovered from my labour fatigue, and a routine got established. I started reading more and more about disposable vs cloth diapers. There were so many articles out there on this that it became all confusing for me. I wasn't very comfortable with the idea of cloth diapers.
The sentence that I read which really shook my mind was - 'try wearing a sanitary pad for 1 year daily and look what happens.' It was then when I planned on giving some diaper free time to my baby to avoid skin irritation & rashes. But it was so tedious even for 3 to 4 hours as she kept on peeing & pooping constantly in her cloth nappies. I was a little discouraged by this. Then finally I had the opportunity to talk to my paediatrician about baby diapering on my first visit. He told me about the ill effects of prolonged use disposable diapers, like infection, skin irritation, delayed potty training. He suggested quick dry sheets for diaper free time. I searched online and came across a variety of quick dry sheets.
I immediately ordered three quick dry sheets for my baby and I cannot explain what a boon these sheets have been. As the name suggests, quick dry sheets dry real quick absorbing all the pee. All the mattresses remain clean and stain-free reducing the laundry time significantly. These sheets are even warm, lightweight, washable and reusable. These sheets are also available in various colours and are especially suitable for our sunny Indian weather.
I was able to give almost 12 hours of diaper free time to my 2-month-old baby and I am glad about it. I used to put her in cotton nappies after bath usually and gradually increased the duration. I even kept changing the sheets to maintain cleanliness. I plan on using them every day, during potty training too in near future. These are small things but they will have a big impact on our children in the long run.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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Good and Bad Drinks For Your One Year Old
Supermarkets are packed with all types of drinks. It's up to you to choose which health drink is best for toddlers. With such a long list to pick from, knowing the good from the bad is vital. After all, many drink options look great but aren't all that beneficial.
Reading through nutrition labels when choosing drinks for your toddlers is cumbersome. You’ll never be able to pay attention to facts when you have your little one tugging at your shirt. Here’s an easy way for you to distinguish good and bad drinks for toddlers. Choosing one won’t be difficult anymore.
The Best and Worst Drinks for Toddlers
1. The Healthy Stuff
Water
Plain water is the best choice for a healthy drink. It helps hydrate and regulate body temperature. Your child can also be guarded against urinary tract infections and constipation. Water is a source of fluoride too, which is an important ingredient for healthy teeth.
Whole milk
Your child could do with an extra dose of whole milk, which is a vitamin-rich drink for one-year-old children. It’s a source of vitamin D and calcium, in addition to containing protein and other nutrients. A daily intake of around 16 to 20 ounces of milk will ensure your toddler gets her requirement. If you’re thinking of introducing him to low-fat milk, wait till he touches the 2-year-old mark. Limit the milk to just two cups a day.
Fresh juice
If your child wants to have juice, opt for the fresh stuff that serves as nutritional drinks for toddlers. Concentrated juice and other commercial products contain a high quantity of sugar and not much else. Fresh juice, on the other hand, has vitamins and minerals in addition to sugar. Limit your toddler’s intake of juice to 6 ounces daily.
Smoothies
While these drinks may not quench your child’s thirst throughout the day, they’re very healthy. A smoothie will give her her requirement of nutrients. Try preparing concoctions like milk with oranges and a mix of yogurt, bananas and strawberries.
2. The Unhealthy Stuff
Soda
You would never intentionally give your child drinks that are packed with sugar and calories. Aside from commercial fruit juices, soda is a big source of refined sugar and is an unhealthy drink for toddlers and older kids alike. It can cause tooth decay and obesity too. Leave such drinks on the shelf and opt for healthier choices instead.
Caffeine-based drinks
Just as you wouldn’t dream of offering your toddler a double-shot of espresso, keep her away from other drinks that also contain caffeine, no matter how little. These include iced tea, energy drinks and vitamin water. Unlike an adult, toddlers are a lot more susceptible to the harmful effects of caffeine. It can also disrupt afternoon naps and cause tummy troubles, headaches and lack of concentration.
Choosing the best drinks for your toddler doesn’t have to be as hard as you imagine. Just remember to avoid giving sugary and caffeinated drinks, and stick to those rich in nutrients. When you maintain a balance between healthy drinks and those that every little toddler likes, you needn't worry. Read more
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Anu Sharma has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
6 hours ago
Q. can i use pain relief spray at time of pregancy
Anu Sharma
Mom of a 1 yr old boy
5 hours ago
A. yes
Anu Sharma has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. hi iam 13th week pregnant my mind is completely in pressure stress and I cried alott does this affect my baby or baby growth
Anu Sharma
Mom of a 1 yr old boy
5 hours ago
A. yes. mood swings are normal
Rashmi has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 yr 8 m old child
6 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts 300 vochure
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
5 hours ago
A. If you have any question concerning the parenting platform then please feel free to post your question once I know what are you willing to ask with all the necessary details associated it will be easier for me to give you appropriate help and response onto your question
Rashmi has added a new answer
Mom of a 9 m old child
6 hours ago
Q. My daughter (9months old) is not at all willing to drink aptamil and breast milk I am getting only 100 ml per day now. I have tried adding jaggery powder in aptamil but still she is not at all willing to drink.I tried to feed her with aptamil midnight when she was in deep sleep but still she woke up and started crying. I am not able to find any solution for this.Its been 2 days that I have started trying aptamil.So I will continue to try for another week and if she still doesn't drink can you suggest what can be done
Read moreRashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
5 hours ago
A. For yourself I would recommend you Shatavari powder three times in the day to increase your lactation other than that since your child is six months complete you can give Amul Taaza milk to your child that is easier for the childhood digest and flavour is also good even if you want you can add some dry fruit powder saffron or turmeric for flavour change that’s also a good option to try these alternative
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 yr 5 m old child
3 hours ago
Q. after delivey back pain is normal???
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. If there is back pain you have to maintain a proper posture take a healthy diet and also do some regular exercise specially back extension exercises to strengthen muscles also you can take calcium and iron supplements suggested by yohur doctor imf still you are having weakness and other symptoms it needs a proper assessment
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. Its been 7 days my 8 month old hasn’t pooped. He looks good not at all cranky. Eating normally. What to do?
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
22 mins ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. Sometimes baby does not poop for 7-10 days. Please massage baby stomach clockwise and anti-clockwise. You can also apply hing water on baby stomach. Also do some cycling leg exercises of the baby to relieve from constipation and gas. Please make the baby burp after every feed. Mother should chew saunf and ajwain after every meal.
Thanks and take care
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