Why Does My Poop Smell So Bad When I'm Pregnant? Main Causes & Treatments

The Reasons Behind Foul-Smelling Bowel Movements During Pregnancy

It's common for women to notice strange or unpleasant smells coming from their bowel movements at various points during pregnancy. While it may be embarrassing to talk about, understanding what causes foul poop smells can provide insight into whether certain changes are normal or need medical attention.

Hormonal Shifts

As a woman's hormones shift dramatically during pregnancy, so too can her digestive processes. The flood of progesterone tells the muscles throughout a woman’s body to relax, including the intestinal walls and valves. This allows waste to move more slowly through the intestines. When food and waste linger longer in the digestive tract, bacteria have more time to multiply and break the material down, often creating noxious-smelling gas as a byproduct.

Changes in Diet

Pregnancy cravings and aversions can also rapidly change a woman’s daily diet. For some women, constipation emerges for the first time during pregnancy if they adjust from a high-fiber diet to low-fiber meal options. The longer transit time allows for more water absorption from waste, making poop more concentrated. At the same time, excess intake of strong spices or vitamin supplements can also impact the smell.

Nausea and Vomiting

Foul poop smells may indicate that digesting food properly and absorbing nutrients isn't happening efficiently. This is especially likely among women battling significant nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. The ongoing loss of stomach contents can disrupt the gut microbiome, kill helpful bacteria, and make it easier for "bad" bacteria to proliferate. As these bacteria feast on particles in the waste, they generate smelly byproducts.

Yeast Infections

Vaginal yeast infections occur frequently while expecting since rapidly rising estrogen levels increase glycogen production and suppress the immune system. But hormones also influence the growth of fungus in the intestines, where an overgrowth of candida albicans can cause inflammation, bloating, cramping, and foul BMs. Stress during pregnancy may allow the fungal form to take over since cortisol inhibits healthy gut flora.

Blood Sugar Imbalances

Gestational diabetes is quite common. But even mild blood sugar issues can point to carbs not being digested fully and an environment ideal for harmful gut bacteria. These bugs also make it challenging for beneficial bacteria to thrive. Both scenarios commonly lead to unpleasant poop smells. When fat isn’t adequately broken down either, oily stools result which also smell bad.

Foodborne Illnesses

Pregnancy tends to dampen immune functioning, upping the risk for picking up infections. Food poisoning rises to the top of reasons for terrible poop scents during pregnancy. Bacteria releases unpleasant waste byproducts, with salmonella, C. diff, parasites, and norovirus as prime examples. Dehydration frequently accompanies diarrhea too, making poop more concentrated.

Warning Signs From Foul Smells

Though many causes of foul poop smells during pregnancy may clear up on their own or indicate routine issues, ongoing terrible scents paired with additional symptoms merit medical attention. Extreme diarrhea leading to dehydration, an abnormal color of stool, the presence of blood or mucus, intense pain, dizziness, vomiting, and high fever all require prompt evaluation by a doctor or midwife.

When to Call Your Doctor

Check in with your healthcare provider if extremely smelly poop corresponds with:

• Three or more liquid BMs in 24 hours
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Dark or bloody stool
• Mucus in the poop
• Severe pain
• Fever over 101 F
• Food poisoning symptoms
• Unrelieved vomiting/diarrhea

Treatments for Foul Smells

Various treatments can help quell foul poop smells stemming from routine pregnancy issues:

Probiotics

Probiotic supplements replenish communities of beneficial bacteria to help crowd out smelly “bad” bugs. Look for broad spectrum probiotic capsules and add yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and other fermented foods.

Prebiotic Foods

Prebiotics provide the preferred fuel source for healthy gut flora. Try onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, bananas, oats, and Jerusalem artichokes.

Digestive Enzymes

These supplements support complete digestion of carbs, fat, fiber, and protein so less undigested food waits around. Consider plant-based enzyme blends.

Clean Diet

Limit intake of highly refined carbs and overloaded processed foods, added sugars, excess red meat, and artificial ingredients. Hydrate well.

Green Tea

Compounds in green tea called polyphenols possess antimicrobial properties to combat smelly bacteria and other pathogens.

Fiber

Soluble fiber forms a gel-like matrix when combined with water, binding to smelly compounds so they exit via poop. Try psyllium husk, flaxseed, oats.

When to See Your Doctor

Schedule an in-person visit if you experience:

• No improvement after a week of smelly BMs
• Unbearable pain
• Blood in stool
• Diarrhea longer than 3 days
• Vomiting lasting over 24 hrs
• Rapid weight loss
• Fever over 102°F

Warning signs could indicate an underlying infection or complication requiring prompt medical intervention. Don't hesitate to call your provider to discuss severe or persistent poop smells.

Preventing Foul Smells

Making certain diet and lifestyle adjustments may help minimize unpleasant odors:

• Eat more yogurt and fermented foods
• Increase high fiber fruits/veggies
• Stay well hydrated
• Take probiotics and enzymes
• Reduce refined carbs/sugar
• Avoid eating trigger foods
• De-stress with prenatal yoga
• Get moderate exercise daily

Having foul-smelling poop routinely can drag down comfort and confidence during an already challenging time. But understanding common reasons behind the smell, self-care remedies, warning signs requiring rapid medical help, and prevention tips will help you feel equipped to handle this pregnancy symptom.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.