Pregnancy Concerns

Updated on September 18, 2008
S.S. asks from Tacoma, WA
15 answers

I was just curious about having diarhea during pregnancy. Is it bad. Should I go to the doctor and get checked out?

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for all your advice. My friend just found out she was pregnant and wanted me to ask. it's her first and I never had any diarhea so I couldn't give her a direct answer. Thanks again. S.

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D.H.

answers from Seattle on

I wouldn't be worried about it unless it lasts for more than a couple days and you are getting dehydrated or feeling worse, or start running a fever and get concerned. Try eating some rice, it firms you back up.

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D.B.

answers from Anchorage on

I don't want to scare you, however with our 2nd child I started having diarhea almost as soon as I became pregnant. I had it the entire time I was pregnent. The OBGYN said it was just the way my body was dealing with the pregnancy. I was in and out of the hospital for dehydration. After we had him I still had diarhea. The OBGYN kept telling me that I was just over loaded with iron. Which during my pregnancy I was aniemic (spelling). Our son was almost 4 weeks old whenI went into the hospital for 8 days. I had chronic ulcerative colitis and later on (when he was 1 1/2 years old) I ended up having my entire colon removed.

Sorry, long story short GET IT CHECKED OUT!!! If it continues make sure your doctor is well awear of it. I might not hurt to check with other doctors if it continues. Our first pregnancy was wonderful, no problems at all.

Good luck and drink, drink. drink!!!!!

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J.O.

answers from Portland on

No matter what just give your Doc. a call. I went back and forth during my pregnancy. I was either really stopped up or running to the washroon every 10 min. and having to change my pants!! Good luck!

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A.D.

answers from Portland on

S.,
Make sure you stay hydrated and try the BRAT diet for a few days.

Banannas
Rice
Applesauce
Toast

If you are having difficulties hydrating, try some Gatorade. That is what my OBGYN had me drink because I was so dehydrated that they wanted to hospitalize me and financially we couldn't. (I vomited all day long until our son was born. It sucked.) We also had a 3yr at home and I had no one to care for him. (We have no family nearby)

Best of luck to you.

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C.S.

answers from Seattle on

Diarrhea is not just a matter of dehydration. Think about it, your body is gushing poop! It's not normal, there's a reason why!

When you get diarrhea, it's your body screaming "GET THIS OUTTA HERE FAST!!"

So figure out the culprit, check what you're eating, there may be something that you used to be able to eat but your body is now rejecting. If you're unsure, cut a couple things out that you think it may be and reintroduce them separately. It can be a pain, but so it diarrhea and dehydration when pregnant. In my first tri I couldn't eat anything even slightly spicy, it would give me diarrhea and I used to eat spicy all the time. :(

And like everyone else said, drink lots of filtered water because you're loosing so much in your bowel movements.

Hope you're feeling better soon :D

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C.A.

answers from San Francisco on

I didn't get a chance to read all your responses, so this may be a repeat (if so, I'm sorry). First and foremost, talk to your doctor about it. However, I had "lose stool" during the first part of my pregnancy and there wasn't a problem. My sister-in-law who had two miscarriages said that it's sometimes a sign you may be having a miscarriage. If it's during the end of your pregnancy it could be a sign the baby is coming. My friend just had her baby and she was complaining of diarrhea for the week before. Talk to your doctor and eat lost of bananas =o)
Best of luck!

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D.B.

answers from Richland on

I had severe diareaha with both my pregnancies in the early stages, lasting 5-7 days, but then it went away. Then I would get another case of it towards the end of the second trimester, and that too lasted a week or so. My OB never seemed concerned with it, and told me it does happen to some women. If it lasts longer than a week I would most definately call your OB. Good luck!

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S.Y.

answers from Richland on

S.,
The main thing to be concerned about is dehydration. That is always an issue with diarrhea anyway, but even more so when the baby needs liquids, too. If you are feeling lightheaded, or have a big headache, you should see your doctor right away. It might be a good idea to give your doctor's office a call anyway, just to hear their suggestion. Take care! S.

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M.R.

answers from Portland on

HI S.-
It's always worth checking in with your doctor. I had diarrhea for a few weeks at the beginning of my pregnancy. Luckily, I was told I could take Immodium! Whatever you do, DO NOT take Pepto.
Hope it gets better.
M.

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M.Q.

answers from Portland on

Diarrhea during pregnancy is quite common. I had it at the very beginning of my pregnancy, sources said that this is probably due to the pregnancy hormones and towards the end, the belief is this case, is that the body is "making room" for your baby. Of course, you have to take the same precautions that you normally would do, drink lots of liquids to keep your body hydrated. If the diarrhea persists for a long period, check with your OB to see if you can have something prescribed to help you.

M..

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M.C.

answers from Seattle on

you probably need to drink more water the most likely reason but it wouldn't hurt to check with your o.b.

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A.P.

answers from Eugene on

I had diarrhea (or maybe just loose stool) throughout my pregnancy--when I brought it up with my midwife--she said that I should be happy I'm not constipated and getting hemorrhoids like many pregnant women--you should probably still check with your provider, but that did put things into perspective for me!

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J.H.

answers from Portland on

Just make sure you are staying hydrated, while diarhea probably wouldn't put you in the hospital, dehydration definitely would if it got bad. There could be other options for helping treat you, but do NOT use Pepto Bismol. It is a huge no-no for pregnant women.

E.B.

answers from Seattle on

I had it during the first part of pregnancy with my third and then again towards the end. I think it should be checked out just in case it is something more serious. But it will probably end up being how your body is dealing with being pregnant. How far along are you?

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K.C.

answers from Portland on

It can be pretty normal. My current pregnancy was riddled with it through out the first trimester. My doctor of course said the only worry is dehydration. He recommended drinking lots of water and even small amounts of Pedialyte which gets you hydrated a lot faster and for longer. Of course if the diarhea is accompanied by any cramping/contractions, or discharge then you should call your doctor immediately.

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