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Diarrhea in pregnancy
Diarrhea literally means “flowing through” and is defined as having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements in a 24 hour period. If you are experiencing three runny, watery bowel movements in one day, the main concern is to stay hydrated. You can lose a significant amount of fluids when experiencing diarrhea during pregnancy. Dehydration can be serious, even deadly. You will need to make sure you are re-hydrating yourself. Diarrhea is rarely life-threatening, but it shouldn’t be taken too lightly, especially while pregnant.
When it lasts just a few days, diarrhea typically is related to an infection (usually gastroenteritis) or eating something that upsets your stomach.
Diarrhea that develops without an identifiable trigger or in combination with low back pain and increased vaginal discharge or mucus can be symptoms of preterm labor. Call your doctor immediately if you experience this combination of symptoms.
See your doctor if:
- your diarrhea or vomiting does not go away within 48 hours
- you are unable to keep any fluids down.
DO NOT take any medication to stop diarrhea in pregnancy, such as Imodium, without speaking to your doctor or pharmacist first.
There are many medicines that can be unsafe to take during pregnancy. So it’s always best to ask your doctor or pharmacist before you take anything.
See your doctor or a hospital doctor as soon as possible if you have:
- a fever
- any stomach pain
- very dark urine
- bloody diarrhea or bleeding from your bottom.
You may have dehydration or a gastrointestinal problem and need treatment.
Vomiting without diarrhea may also be pregnancy sickness (morning sickness).
Diarrhea in pregnancy third trimester
Diarrhea during the third trimester is not uncommon and is more likely to happen as you approach your due date. It could be a sign that labor is near, and it can occur right before labor or a couple of weeks before labor. If it is a couple of weeks before your due date, a premature birth should not be expected.
If you are experiencing diarrhea during your third trimester, it does not mean your baby is coming right now, so you should not be alarmed. This is just a way some women’s bodies prepare for the labor that is going to start at some point. You may want to be aware of other labor signs as well.
What causes diarrhea during pregnancy?
Don’t be surprised if you experience diarrhea during pregnancy. When you first find out you are pregnant, you may make sudden changes in your diet to make sure your baby is getting the nutrients they need. If you change the food you eat, that can sometimes cause an upset stomach or diarrhea.
Another reason diarrhea occurs is because some pregnant women become sensitive to particular foods. These could be foods you have eaten often before, but eating them while pregnant can give you an upset stomach or diarrhea. Another cause of diarrhea during pregnancy is hormonal changes.
Sometimes hormones can cause your digestive process to slow down, and at times that can lead to diarrhea. Every pregnant woman has these hormonal changes, but some will experience diarrhea early in their pregnancy from those changes. If you are experiencing diarrhea, it could also be due to a bacterial or viral infection.
Diarrhea in pregnancy treatment
Most cases of diarrhea will clear up on its own within a couple of days. The main concern of diarrhea is staying hydrated. Make sure you drink plenty of water, juice, and broth to rehydrate yourself and replace the electrolytes your body has lost. The water will help replenish your lost fluids, the juice will help replenish your potassium levels and the broth will help replenish your sodium.
If your diarrhea doesn’t clear up on its own you may need to consult your doctor. If diarrhea during your pregnancy is caused by bacteria or parasites, you may need antibiotics. If a virus is causing your diarrhea, antibiotics will not help. To determine the cause, you will need to speak with your health care provider.
