Diarrhea During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms And Remedies

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Gastrointestinal issues during pregnancy are very common. Diarrhea and constipation are common in pregnancy and occur in about one-third of all pregnant women (1). Diarrhea is having three or more loose bowel movements during the day that may or may not be accompanied by stomach cramps (2).

Diarrhea in pregnancy is mostly caused by bacteria or viruses (3). Loose stools that continue for more than one day warrant medical care. It may lead to dehydration, which may lead to other health issues (3). Diarrhea accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, rectal bleeding, fluid leakage, or vaginal blood discharge, might need immediate medical attention.

This post explains the symptoms, causes, and remedies for diarrhea in pregnancy.

Symptoms Of Diarrhea

Loose and watery stools for three or more times a day may point to diarrhea. The following symptoms may also be seen along with diarrhea (3).

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Constant urge to have a bowel movement
• Vomiting

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• Weakness
• Loss of appetite

Causes Of Diarrhea In Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings several hormonal and other changes. Changes in hormones could also bring along certain variations in the gastrointestinal tract.

The following possible factors may lead to diarrhea in pregnancy (3).

• Elevated levels of prostaglandinsⁱXA group of lipids with hormone-like actions that help induce labor in pregnant women. may lead to diarrhea (4). Some hormones may cause one’s digestive process to slow down, leading to diarrhea gradually (5).
• Some women make drastic changes in their diet once they know they are pregnant. These sudden dietary changes may sensitize the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea. This is seen more commonly in the first trimester of pregnancy.
• Excess binge eating of junk food due to pregnancy-related cravings may cause diarrhea.
• Many women are stressed regarding the baby’s well-being during pregnancy. Stress could be a predisposing factor for diarrhea in pregnancy.
• Some women are advised bed rest in pregnancy for certain medical reasons. A sedentary lifestyle may lead to a weak digestive system, causing diarrhea eventually.

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• Some women may develop diarrhea due to prenatal vitamins. You may change the brand of the vitamins and see if it helps.
• Heartburn, morning sickness (nausea and vomiting), and acidity are common in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Doctors may prescribe some antacids to help you. Magnesium in these antacids may cause diarrhea in some women (6).

• Some food items may cause sensitivity in the GI tract. Even if these items were well-tolerated pre-pregnancy, they might cause an upset stomach during pregnancy.
• If nausea and vomiting return after mid-pregnancy, it could be a sign of preeclampsia, which is estimated to occur in five to seven percent of all pregnancies, as per a CDC report.

Be watchful

Dairy products could also cause diarrhea during pregnancy if you are lactose intolerant (13).

• Diarrhea may occur a week or two before the labor. However, if you experience diarrhea during the third trimester, it does not necessarily mean that labor is approaching. You should also check other signs of approaching labor before getting alarmed (5).

Becky, a mother to two, shares her experience of dealing with diarrhea during the last trimester of her pregnancy. Having already lost her mucus plug and being in the process of dilation, she wonders if this could be a sign of approaching labor. She says, “A couple of weeks ago, I started to have loose stools… Things loosened up for me these last few weeks. When it first happened, I thought, ‘Maybe this is a sign!’ Well, today, I’ve had a little diarrhea. Nothing too major, but enough to get me thinking (once again), ‘Maybe it’s time!’

“Anyway, I suppose it could just be a coincidence, but with the dilation and loss of mucus plug, I can’t help but think labor is going to start very, very soon (i).”

The following causes are not pregnancy-related but may still lead to diarrhea.

• Food poisoning
• Viral or bacterial infections
• Intestinal parasites
• Traveler’s diarrheaⁱXAn intestinal bacterial infection one may contract from eating contaminated food.
• Crohn’s diseaseⁱXA chronic condition causing inflammation of the digestive tract.
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Celiac diseaseⁱXAn autoimmune and genetic condition characterized by an immune reaction to gluten, the protein found in barley, rye, and wheat.

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• Ulcerative Colitis

Remedies For Diarrhea In Pregnancy

Most cases of diarrhea resolve without medications within a couple of days. The following might help you manage your diarrhea better.

1. Hydration: Drink adequate water, broth, and oral rehydration solutions and lemon water to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and minerals (5).

2. Diet: Eat a healthy balanced diet that has the right amount of fiber to aid proper digestion. Identify and avoid foods that may make diarrhea worse. Avoid tap water and street food when traveling.

3. Exercises: Try to include some exercises in your routine. Decide the intensity of your workout under your obstetrician’s guidance. Exercising improves blood flow to all organs, including the bowels (3).

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4. Medicines: If diarrhea does not resolve on its own, the doctor might prescribe some medications for it. The doctor will prescribe the safest dose and medicine, depending on your overall health (3).

If diarrhea continues to persist or gets worse, you must contact your healthcare provider. The doctor will help you identify the cause of diarrhea. If it is caused by bacteria, the doctor will prescribe a pregnancy-safe antibiotic (5).

When To Call The Doctor?

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You should call your healthcare provider immediately if you have any of these symptoms, along with diarrhea (3) (7) (8).

• Severe stomach pain
• Pain in rectum
• Lower abdominal cramps
• Vomiting blood
• Pus in stool
• Signs of dehydration ( thirst, dry skin, fatigue, dizziness, less frequent urination, and dark-colored urine)
• Blood in stool
• Fever
• Sudden weight loss
• Leaking of fluid from the vagina
• Vaginal bleeding
• Decreased fetal movement

Point to consider

If you are not feeling your baby move like before, having continuous contractions, pressure or pain in your pelvis, or any other preterm labor symptoms besides diarrhea, you should contact your doctor (8).

Infographic: When To Seek Assistance For Diarrhea During Pregnancy

Watery stools during pregnancy may occur for various reasons, from spicy food to stress and hormones. In most cases, diarrhea can resolve independently; however, if you observe any of the symptoms in the infographic below, promptly call your healthcare provider or visit the clinic.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Pregnant women may have higher chances of getting diarrhea. Learn about the risks and symptoms of diarrhea and get tips and advise on how to protect yourself and your baby.

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Dr. Shashwat JaniMS

Dr. Shashwat Jani is a consultant obstetrician & gynecologist in Smt. N.H.L. Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad. He has 14 years of experience with a special interest in high-risk pregnancy, infertility, and endoscopy. He has written 12 chapters in reference books of Ob/Gyn and published 18 articles in Index journals. Dr. Jani has been invited as faculty in more than 200...more

Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College. During her clinical practice, pediatric dentistry was her particular area of interest, and she constantly thrived to...more

Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU). She has been into health and...more

Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer. Her research work was published in international journals and publications, such...more