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Diarrhoea during pregnancy

Diarrhoea during pregnancy
 
Sophie Martin
Medically reviewed by
15th Sep 2023

Diarrhoea can strike at any time during pregnancy. It’s usually nothing to worry about, and will generally resolve by itself within a couple of days. But it’s still worth knowing why it’s happening, how to manage it so that it doesn’t cause a problem, and when to call for help. Here we provide a little background and some useful advice.

Is diarrhoea common in pregnancy?

As you may already know, you’re more likely to become constipated when you’re pregnant. But it’s still possible to have diarrhoea during pregnancy, and it can happen for all the same reasons as when you’re not pregnant.

Diarrhoea during the third trimester is more common than earlier in a pregnancy, and is more likely to occur as you approach your due date. But if you’re pregnant and have diarrhoea, it doesn’t mean that you’re about to go into labour, so don’t be concerned.

What causes diarrhoea in pregnancy?

There are lots of reasons why you might develop diarrhoea during pregnancy:

  • Hormones – pregnancy hormones might be affecting how your gut behaves
  • Changes to your diet – if you suddenly changed your diet when you found out you were pregnant, it may take some time for your body to adjust
  • Sensitivity to foods – you might find that you’ve become sensitive to foods that you’ve always eaten now that you’re pregnant
  • Stress/anxiety – you may be happy to be pregnant, but you might also feel a little stressed or anxious; both can affect contribute to diarrhoea

Of course, there are many other causes of diarrhoea that have nothing to do with your pregnancy, such as stomach bugs, food poisoning, taking certain medications (e.g. antibiotics), and conditions such as Crohn’s Disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

Symptoms of diarrhoea

If you have diarrhoea, your stools (poo) will be much looser or watery, or perhaps a lot more frequent. If you’ve become ill, you may also have stomach cramps, or feel sick or feverish.

Will diarrhoea harm my baby?

A few days of simple diarrhoea won’t cause you or your baby any harm as long as you drink plenty of fluids. But if you have diarrhoea for a long time, it can lead to dehydration and malnutrition, so you should contact a doctor to get advice if it’s lasted for 48 hours.

Preventing diarrhoea in pregnancy

Eating foods with laxative properties, such as dried fruits, can make the problem worse, so avoid these if you’re prone to, or already have, diarrhoea. Following good hygiene practices will also minimise your chances of developing diarrhoea through food poisoning or infection – make sure you wash your hands before preparing food or eating, and avoid putting yourself at risk of catching any sickness bugs that may be circulating.

If you’re pregnant and travelling abroad, it’s important to be aware of any risks in the area you’re visiting and to take necessary precautions to avoid getting ill. Always check if the local water is safe to drink, and drink bottled water if you’re not sure. It’s better to avoid putting ice in your drinks in case it’s made from tap water.

What should I do if I have diarrhoea while I’m pregnant?

Most episodes of diarrhoea usually pass within a couple of days, but make sure you stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids – aim for 3 pints a day. Clear drinks like fruit squash, cordials, tea, decaffeinated coffee, clear soups and beef extract are useful, and you may already have them at home. Drinks containing electrolytes (sports drinks and rehydration granules that you dissolve in water) are particularly good as they contain important salts that you may have lost.

If possible, avoid foods that can make your diarrhoea worse: high fibre foods such as wholemeal bread and brown rice, fruit juice, nuts and dried fruits, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, spicy and fatty foods, alcohol, and strong tea or coffee.

You might be tempted to take a medicine to stop your diarrhoea, but you shouldn’t do so without first speaking to your midwife or GP about it. And, as mentioned above, If you’ve had diarrhoea for 48 hours, speak to your doctor.

Sickness and diarrhoea during pregnancy

If you also feel sick or vomiting, have stomach cramps or feel unwell, you might have a sickness bug. Don’t worry – just keep hydrated and rest. If you think it’s likely to be food poisoning, let your doctor know; food poisoning can be harmful to your unborn baby, so it’s best to get it checked early so that you can get treatment if you need it.

Speak to your doctor urgently or call NHS 111 if you have:

  • Bloody diarrhoea, or bleeding from your bottom
  • Very severe diarrhoea (6 or more episodes in 24 hours)
  • Severe dehydration – dark urine, extreme thirst, dry mouth and light-headedness, not passing much urine
  • Severe sickness (you can’t keep anything down)
  • Diarrhoea for more than 7 days, or sickness lasting more than 2 days

Call 999 or visit A&E if you:

  • vomit blood, or vomit looks like ground coffee
  • have green vomit
  • have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
  • have a sudden, severe headache or stomach ache.

 

Approved by healthcare team

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