Mucus in Stool During Pregnancy

Mucus is nothing but a white or yellow fluid which helps in lubricating the airway and gastrointestinal tract. Besides lubricating, this fluid protects the surface of the digestive, respiratory and excretory system against corrosive agents like stomach acids found in the body. During pregnancy, there are several changes which the body undergoes, which may result in mucus in stool. Usually there's nothing abnormal, and goes away within a few days.

Many a time it has been found that the excess body fluids are excreted along with stool in the 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. The following paragraphs would give you some of the most common causes of why mucus is present in the stool during pregnancy, so that you can take necessary steps.

Blood and Mucus in Stool During Pregnancy

Many pregnant women complain of bloody mucus in stool during pregnancy, and this may a condition to be concerned about. There may be several reasons for blood mucus in stool, some of the most common being 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 of irritable bowel syndrome 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 stool.

Ulcerative colitis is another reason for blood and mucus being discharged along with stool. Many a time there may be white mucus in stool during pregnancy and 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 during pregnancy 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 in stool. 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.

Mucus in Urine During Pregnancy

Pregnant women are at high risk of urinary tract infection between weeks 6 and 24, which may result in mucus in urine during pregnancy. 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 infection. Some of the common symptoms of this condition include burning sensation or pain while urinating, frequent urination, lower abdominal pain or cramps, foul-smelling urine, vomiting, nausea, fever, chills and back pain, besides mucus or blood.

So all in all mucus in stool during pregnancy is usually not that serious a condition, but if mucus is excreted along with blood the condition needs medical attention. You need to get in touch with a doctor to further diagnose mucus in stool so that you know the exact reason behind this condition.