Having diarrhea is unpleasant, but it's not an uncommon experience in pregnancy. However, diarrhea is not a pregnancy symptom or a sign of pregnancy. Unlike other gastrointestinal problems (like constipation), which occur due to hormonal changes in a pregnant woman's body, diarrhea is typically caused by something that comes from outside the body.
Diarrhea is defined as loose, watery stools. Everyone has experienced diarrhea in her lifetime, and it's usually not harmless. It's nothing to be worried about when you're pregnant, since it's usually short lived and only lasts for a day or two.
Diarrhea in pregnancy can be caused by a number of things, including certain types of food, lactose intolerance (the inability to digest lactose, which is the primary sugar in cow's milk and dairy products), food poisoning, intestinal parasites, and stomach bugs.
When you're pregnant, dietary or hormonal changes can make you more sensitive to specific foods. For example, you may notice that you simply cannot eat the same foods that you used to without feeling bloated or uncomfortable. This can lead to constipation in some women; other women may have bouts of diarrhea.
Common food culprits that can cause you to experience diarrhea include sugar-free candies and dairy products (in women who are lactose intolerant). In some cases, certain antacids or antibiotics can also trigger diarrhea.
If you have a history of gastrointestinal problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease, you can expect to suffer from occasional or chronic bouts of diarrhea in pregnancy.
In addition, pregnant women have lowered immune systems when they're expecting. Your immune system is suppressed in order to prevent your body from accidentally attacking the developing baby (which it might see as a foreign object). Your suppressed immune system also makes you more susceptible to getting sick, making it easier for you to succumb to stomach bugs, food poisoning, or intestinal parasites.
Fortunately diarrhea during pregnancy is typically short lived and not something to cause concern. You should only have diarrhea for one day or two. If your diarrhea lasts longer, or if it is accompanied with severe nausea or vomiting, you should contact your midwife or doctor. This might lead you to become dehydrated – which can put you at higher risk for going into premature labor.
Diarrhea isn't that common in the first trimester, but it does happen. When you have diarrhea in early pregnancy, it can come with uncomfortable cramping. You can accidentally mistake this sensation as a sign of a potential miscarriage. (Try not to worry. Although abdominal cramping can be a sign of a threatened miscarriage, you should only worry if you start to experience other troublesome symptoms, like vaginal bleeding or a dull, persistent ache in your lower back.)
Having diarrhea in early pregnancy can cause you to become dehydrated, which can make you feel weak and tired. Fatigue is already a common pregnancy symptom, so having diarrhea on top of this only makes the first trimester even more miserable.
In the first trimester, a mild case of diarrhea shouldn't worry you. It won't last long, and it will go away on its own. However, it's a good idea to call your doctor or healthcare provider if you're having severe diarrhea (passing three or more loose, watery stools a day), or you're passing stools that are bloody, contain mucus, or pure liquid.
In late pregnancy, you may experience mild diarrhea right before you go into labor. This is believed to be the body's way of preparing room for delivery. So, if you have diarrhea in the final weeks of your pregnancy, be on the lookout for other signs of labor.
No woman wants to have diarrhea, so the best way to cope is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Because diarrhea can occur as an after effect of constipation, it's important that you eat a healthy and well balanced diet in pregnancy. Make sure that you get enough fiber into your diet to prevent becoming constipated.
However, if you're in the middle of a bout with diarrhea, stay away from fiber-containing foods. This will only make your diarrhea even worse.
If you know what foods trigger your diarrhea, it's a smart idea to stay away from them when you're pregnant. Common food triggers include spicy or fattening foods, milk and dairy products, prunes, and dried fruit. If your stomach doesn't feel right, you may want to stick to eating bland floods, like bananas, rice, applesauce, or toast until you start to feel better.
If you end up coming down with diarrhea when you're pregnant, make sure that you keep hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water (6 to 8 glasses is definitely recommended), or drink hydrating fluids (such as Gatorade). Eating bland foods can also help bind and resolve mild cases of diarrhea.
Diarrhea usually doesn't need medical attention, because it's typically short-lived and only lasts for one or two days. However, if you ever experience diarrhea that comes with pain or a fever, call your doctor or healthcare provider. This might be a sign that something more serious is occurring, and you may need medical attention.
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