What to Know About Diarrhea During Pregnancy

Diarrhea during pregnancy usually clears on its own, but prolonged cases can lead to harmful dehydration. Learn more about the causes and treatment here.

Diarrhea is one of the many unexpected but normal symptoms that are common during pregnancy. Anyone can get diarrhea but it can be more frequent during pregnancy.

Diarrhea during pregnancy is often triggered by dietary, physiological, and hormonal changes, but gastrointestinal bacteria (such as bacteria that cause food poisoning) may also be to blame. If left untreated, persistent diarrhea may cause dehydration in pregnant people, which could have negative effects on the fetus and pregnant person.

Read on to learn more about diarrhea as a symptom during pregnancy, with tips for alleviating loose stool and when to call the doctor.

diarrhea during pregnancy

Jessica Olah

Symptoms of Diarrhea During Pregnancy

Diarrhea is when you have bowel movements more often and looser in consistency than you would normally have. The stool can be very watery or just softer than normal poop. Here’s what to look for:

  • Bloating
  • Cramping
  • Stomach pain
  • The feeling of having to run to the bathroom
  • Two or more watery or loose bowel movements in a day (24 hours)

What Causes Diarrhea During Pregnancy?

Diarrhea is relatively common, especially during pregnancy. Loose stool can happen with or without other symptoms, such as abdominal cramping, fever, headache, or other flu-like symptoms, and there are many potential causes.

Pregnancy-related diarrhea and a range of other gastrointestinal issues are often triggered by hormonal shifts, new food sensitivities, and changes in diet. It's also common to experience diarrhea during pregnancy that's caused by gastrointestinal bacteria which can be picked up from another person or through contaminated food or water. When diarrhea is a result of a gastrointestinal infection, you're likely to experience other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fever, and chills.

One common type of food poisoning that may cause diarrhea during pregnancy is listeriosis, which happens when the Listeria bacteria is ingested. Pregnant people are 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than non-pregnant people and the illness is more likely to cause complications during pregnancy. Listeria is often found in soft cheeses or luncheon meats, which is why pregnant people are often told not to consume these foods and other non-pasteurized foods.

Cases of diarrhea rarely last more than 72 hours. However, some underlying conditions can cause persistent diarrhea. If your diarrhea is long-lasting, you may have a bowel disorder like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, or Crohn's disease. Other non-pregnancy-related causes of diarrhea include excessive stress and certain medications.

Is Diarrhea a Sign of Labor?

Experiencing diarrhea near your due date? Loose stools could mean your body is preparing for delivery, particularly if you are experiencing diarrhea along with other symptoms of impending labor like menstrual-like cramps, "lightening" (when the baby's head drops into the pelvis), or an increase in vaginal discharge.

While having diarrhea when going into labor may sound yucky, keep in mind past generations of pregnant people were given enemas when they started labor. Loose stools are typically nature's way of clearing things out, which is exactly what happens when you have a baby.

How To Treat Diarrhea During Pregnancy

Although it's a lousy way to spend a day, you're better off letting diarrhea run its course rather than trying to stop it with medications. It may worry you that the food you eat passes right through your body. However, missing out on nutrition for a couple of days isn't going to hurt you or your baby. The most important thing is to prevent dehydration by replenishing your fluids with clear liquids such as water, chicken broth, and juices.

Another way to treat diarrhea is through your diet. Try to choose foods that are easy to digest and don’t irritate or stimulate the stomach and digestive tract. The BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) plus the nutrients in other easy-to-digest foods (potatoes, chicken and vegetable soup, lean meats, pasta, bread) can help until diarrhea has passed. Consider avoiding fried, spicy, and high-fat foods, which can exacerbate diarrhea.

What to Know About Diarrhea During Pregnancy and Dehydration

While diarrhea is not always a cause for concern, the loss of water can lead to dehydration, which can be especially harmful during pregnancy. So, to prevent diarrhea from becoming dangerous, be sure to stay hydrated—and also be mindful of the symptoms of dehydration, which include:

  • Dry mouth 
  • Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or as if you may faint
  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Urinating less often
  • Urine that has a strong smell
  • Urine that is very dark yellow or orange 

When to Contact a Health Care Provider About Diarrhea During Pregnancy

Although diarrhea is usually not a serious issue, it can be a sign of an infection or lead to dehydration. Notify an OB-GYN or health care professional if:

  • Diarrhea lasts more than a day or two
  • You are experiencing contractions
  • You aren't feeling your baby move as much as you did before
  • You have a fever of 100.4 F or higher
  • You have any signs of dehydration
  • You have other symptoms, such as fever or vomiting 
  • You notice blood in your stool
  • You're experiencing pain in your lower abdomen
  • Your diarrhea is getting worse instead of better

Additional reporting by Donna Murray, RN, BSN.

Diarrhea is a common pregnancy complaint due to hormonal changes as well as an increased susceptibility to infections and food-borne illnesses. Typically, diarrhea runs its course over a few days and doesn't require treatment. However, it's important to keep well-hydrated and get adequate rest. Contact your doctor if your diarrhea is severe, accompanied by other symptoms like fever, or lasts longer than 72 hours.

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Sources
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