Diarrhea during pregnancy

It is common to have constipation rather than diarrhea during pregnancy. Some women have reported diarrhea just before going into labor. Having diarrhea before 37 weeks could also be a sign of preterm labor.

It could also indicate a stomach flu or food poisoning. Dairy products in women who are lactose intolerant  can be the culprit  as well as certain foods such as sugar free candies. Some medications such as antacids and antibiotics can also cause this condition . Chronic or  occasional diarrhea can also result in women with gastrointestinal problems such as

• inflammatory bowel disease
• irritable bowel disease
• diverticulitis

If you haven’t had  a bowel movement in a long time and have diarrhea  all of a sudden, it could be that you have fecal impaction. This is when impacted stool  causes partial or complete obstruction of a large bowel movement. Watery stool sometimes leak around it . This shows up as diarrhea.

Diarrhea from stomach flu or food poisoning should resolve itself in about 24 hours or less.  In the mean time you need to stick to bland foods such as bananas , rice and toast and drinks lots of water.

NOTE

You need to call your doctor or midwife if diarrhea  lasts longer than a day and  is accompanied by the following symptoms

• fever
• abdominal pain
• explosive diarrhea
• dry mouth, dizziness or lightheadedness
• diarrhea containing mucus or blood

You should call your doctor immediately if diarrhea is accompanied by fewer fetal movement as well as the following signs of early labor

• cramps
• vaginal discharge
• frequent contractions
• pressure in your pelvic area