We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGeek

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

How do I Treat Diarrhea During Pregnancy?

A. Pasbjerg
By
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGeek is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGeek, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

One of the best ways to treat diarrhea during pregnancy is to drink plenty of fluids. Eating a bland diet can help the digestive system get back to normal. Also, avoiding fried or fatty foods can help ease the uneasy feeling in the stomach. Diarrhea can cause deyhdration, so if the condition lasts for more than a day or two or occurs multiple times a day, or if the stools contain blood or mucous, a woman should contact her doctor to ensure she is not becoming excessively dehydrated or has a serious condition.

The most important treatment for diarrhea during pregnancy is to consume plenty of fluids. Affected women should be on the lookout for symptoms of dehydration such as dry mouth, weakness, or infrequent urination. Loose, watery stools can easily lead to dehydration, so it is important to replace the fluids being lost. Water or sports drinks are both good choices to keep the body hydrated, while caffeinated or sugary beverages should be avoided.

Eating correctly is another good tactic for treating diarrhea during pregnancy. When the issue first arises, it can be useful to avoid eating anything for several hours to allow the digestive system to rest. Then it is important to eat easily digestible, bland foods that are easy on the stomach and help to bind the bowels. Following the BRAT diet of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast is typically a good start. Other foods that are also gentle on digestion include potatoes, crackers, and broth.

In addition to eating the right foods, avoiding the wrong ones is important to address diarrhea during pregnancy. Anything that the woman may be allergic to should be avoided; for example, women with lactose intolerance should stay away from dairy products. Foods that are difficult to digest or may be hard on the stomach, such as fatty, fried, or spicy dishes, should also be left out during this time.

Since diarrhea is not actually a disease but a symptom, it is also important to take general good care of oneself as with any other illness when it occurs. Getting plenty of rest will help allow the body recuperate from the underlying cause. One should also be aware of any other symptoms such as fever or vomiting which may warrant a call to the doctor.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
A. Pasbjerg
By A. Pasbjerg
Andrea Pasbjerg, a WiseGeek contributor, holds an MBA from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Her business background helps her to create content that is both informative and practical, providing readers with valuable insights and strategies for success in the business world.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By bluedolphin — On Aug 22, 2014

@fify-- I agree. The doctor should be making the call about medications because they could harm the baby if they're not safe during pregnancy.

Sometimes, if the diarrhea is caused by an infection, the doctor will give antibiotics. But they know which antibiotics are safe during pregnancy and won't harm the baby.

Aside from that, it's important to drink lots of water, eat familiar foods that settle the stomach. Since many pregnant women also use multivitamins, it might be a good idea to find if those could be a cause of the diarrhea.

By fify — On Aug 21, 2014

@turquoise-- Diarrhea and constipation can both occur during pregnancy. You are right that it's often normal and not harmful. But if it's excessive or if it continues more than a day or two, then it's time to see the doctor about it.

The biggest risks with diarrhea are the risk of dehydration and if there is an infection, the risk that the infection may affect the baby. So unless it's a temporary condition caused by eating something different, it needs to be treated.

I had diarrhea that lasted two days when I was pregnant. I never did find out the cause but I went to the hospital where they gave me something to stop the diarrhea. I also received an IV to prevent dehydration. Pregnant women should not take any medications for diarrhea before checking with the doctor first. So it's a good idea to just see the doctor about it.

By turquoise — On Aug 21, 2014

Is it true that diarrhea during pregnancy is common because of the weight and pressure applied on the bowels from the uterine? If the diarrhea is not excessive, is there a reason to worry?

A. Pasbjerg

A. Pasbjerg

Andrea Pasbjerg, a WiseGeek contributor, holds an MBA from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Her business background helps her to create content that is both informative and practical, providing readers with valuable insights and strategies for success in the business world.
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.