You’re pregnant and experiencing diarrhea; it can happen. It isn’t the most common digestive symptom during pregnancy, but it can occur. Unlike constipation or vomiting, which pregnancy itself can trigger, diarrhea usually has external causes. What causes it during pregnancy? Are there any risks? How can you treat it? Here is the key information you need to understand it all.

What are the symptoms of diarrhea?

Diarrhea is typically identified when several symptoms occur together. If you have loose stools, go to the toilet more than 3 times a day, and experience abdominal spasms and bloating, then you meet all the criteria for the characteristic symptoms of diarrhea . These basic symptoms may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever. Looking at the combination of symptoms can help determine the cause of your intestinal upset. It isn’t always easy to pinpoint, as it can occur alongside more typical symptoms of pregnancy like nausea and vomiting. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to ask the healthcare professionals who handle your pregnancy tracking .

What are the causes of diarrhea in pregnant women?

During pregnancy, diarrhea is less common, because pregnancy hormones tend to cause constipation. . However, certain external factors unrelated to pregnancy (or only indirectly related) can sometimes trigger diarrhea.

The power supply change

It’s common for a woman’s diet to change once she finds out she’s pregnant, as it’s recommended to eat more raw foods, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and to drink more water. These increased intakes of fiber and water can lead to diarrhea, as they speed up intestinal transit. The same applies to mineral-rich waters, which can help with constipation but may have the opposite effect.

Iron supplementation

During pregnancy, it’s possible that your doctor or midwife prescribes iron, because your needs increase as your baby grows and draws on your reserves. This iron supplementation tends to cause constipation in expectant mothers, but sometimes the opposite effect occurs.

Viral gastroenteritis

Under normal circumstances, when someone has diarrhea, gastroenteritis is often suspected. During pregnancy, immune defenses are weakened, and you may be more susceptible to viral illnesses. Gastroenteritis is one of them. It is often associated with vomiting and fever and is harmless to you and your baby. It may nevertheless cause dehydration, so remember to stay well hydrated. If you have any doubts about your health, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.

Food poisoning

Food poisoning is a bacterial infection contracted when you eat contaminated food. In cases of food poisoning, two infections can pose problems during pregnancy: listeriosis and salmonellosis. Therefore, according to the recommendations, it is advised not to consume raw or undercooked eggs, meat, and fish, as well as unpasteurized cheeses, deli meats, and even cooked dishes, as these bacteria are commonly found in these foods.

Food poisoning caused by listeriosis or salmonellosis causes very intense symptoms: diarrhea, fever, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and sometimes blood in the stool. If you have these symptoms, it is very important to see a doctor urgently.

Appendicitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Pregnancy unfortunately does not protect against appendicitis , and in rare cases, it can occur during pregnancy. Diarrhea is one of the symptoms, along with abdominal pain and nausea. If your symptoms persist and you feel very tired, it’s best to see your doctor promptly.

Irritable bowel syndrome affects 5 to 15% of the population and is twice as common in women as in men. It often occurs between the ages of 30 and 50 and can be caused by stress, a poor diet, gastroenteritis, or fatigue. It is therefore not uncommon for it to occur during pregnancy. Symptoms include bloating and bowel disturbances, including an alternating pattern of constipation and diarrhea.

A start of work?

It’s not uncommon to experience diarrhea during the last month of pregnancy, because uterine contractions can overstimulate your intestinal system. If it becomes very intense, it’s possible that labor has started , so it’s time to head to the maternity ward!

How to treat diarrhea during pregnancy?

As with all conditions during pregnancy, medical staff prefer to avoid medications . This is especially true for certain clay-based medications, which are generally avoided for diarrhea and should be discontinued during pregnancy. If you have diarrhea, it is recommended to focus on dietary remedies. You can eat white rice, well-cooked carrots, etc., and try to avoid raw vegetables, spices, and foods high in fiber, as they tend to speed up transit. If you have difficulty eating, you can drink the cooking water from the rice, which contains a lot of starch and is beneficial in case of diarrhea . Don’t hesitate to discuss it with your doctor, gynecologist, or midwife, who can advise you on getting through this unpleasant period.

What are the risks of diarrhea during pregnancy?

Diarrhea, like any condition, can lead to complications, but in most cases it is a unpleasant, but temporary pathology .

Is diarrhea dangerous during pregnancy?

If diarrhea is not associated with other symptoms such as fever or severe abdominal pain, and it resolves on its own, then it is a minor issue that requires no more than an appropriate diet and good hydration.

Diarrhea during pregnancy: when to worry?

If you have a fever, abdominal pain, or other symptoms that concern you, it is recommended that you see a doctor promptly to check that it is not food poisoning or appendicitis .

If you are late in pregnancy and have diarrhea, it is also possible that labor has started. It is therefore advisable to go to the maternity ward to monitor the progress of your labor .

Diarrhea during pregnancy is much less common than constipation , but it can still happen. It is not directly caused by pregnancy hormones like other digestive disorders, but it can be triggered by factors indirectly related to pregnancy. In most cases, it remains a passing inconvenience for which a few simple precautions are enough. We’re sending you lots of strength to get through this period you’d rather do without during pregnancy.