If a Have Diarrhea and Pregnant Will My Baby Eat
Diarrhea during pregnancy isn't usually cause for alarm. Culprits might include a stomach virus, medication, or something you ate. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and talk with your healthcare practitioner before taking any antidiarrheal medications. Call your practitioner if you have accompanying symptoms, if your diarrhea lasts longer than a couple of days, or if you think you might have food poisoning (which can be serious during pregnancy).
Is it normal to have diarrhea in pregnancy?
While it's more common for pregnant women to have constipation than loose stools, diarrhea can still happen during pregnancy - for many of the same reasons it happens when you're not pregnant. In addition, some women report having mild diarrhea in late pregnancy, just before they go into labor.
If you have loose stools three or more times in one day, you have diarrhea.
What causes diarrhea during pregnancy?
Just like when you're not pregnant, you can get diarrhea from an illness or from something you ate. Causes of diarrhea during pregnancy include:
- A stomach virus, such as viral gastroenteritis or rotavirus
- Food poisoning, such as listeriosis or salmonella
- Certain antibiotics or antacids
- Sugar-free candies (these contain sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, that may cause diarrhea in some people)
- Dairy products (if you're lactose-intolerant)
- Digestive problems, such as celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis
- Medications. Stool softeners are commonly prescribed to pregnant women, and some women are more sensitive to them than others.
What should I do if I have diarrhea?
If you have diarrhea:
- Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to replace those you are losing.
- Avoid drinking dairy products, soda, and juices, which may make the diarrhea worse.
- If the diarrhea continues for a few hours, drink fluids and liquid foods containing salt, such as broth or sports drinks.
Can I take antidiarrhea medication?
There are some over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications that are safe to take during pregnancy, but check with your practitioner for advice about taking one while you're pregnant. She may suggest you try to avoid taking one. On the other hand, if your diarrhea is serious, she may recommend you take one to avoid dehydration.
Antidiarrhea medications shouldn't be taken if you have any signs of a bacterial infection, though, such as a fever or blood in your stool.
When should I call my healthcare provider about diarrhea during pregnancy?
Call your provider if you have diarrhea that lasts longer than two days or if think you may have food poisoning. Having food poisoning during pregnancy can be serious. Listeriosis, for example, can cause serious complications for your baby.
Also call if you have diarrhea and any of these symptoms:
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Explosive diarrhea
- Diarrhea with blood or mucus
- Frequent vomiting
- Dry mouth, dizziness, dark-colored urine, less frequent urination, or lightheadedness (signs of dehydration)
Contact your provider right away if you have diarrhea and also feel your baby moving less often or vigorously than usual or have signs of preterm labor such as:
- Regular or frequent contractions
- More vaginal discharge, or discharge that's watery, bloody, or mucus-like
- Cramps
- Pressure or pain in your pelvis or lower stomach that is persistent or gets worse
Having a bout of diarrhea while you're pregnant isn't usually anything to worry about. In fact, many mild illnesses and discomforts may come and go uneventfully during your pregnancy. It's a good idea to know what symptoms warrant a call to your doctor or even emergency care, though. Our article on pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore can help you identify them.
Learn more:
- Gas and bloating during pregnancy
- Hemorrhoids during pregnancy
- Frequent urination during pregnancy
- How to stay hydrated during pregnancy
If a Have Diarrhea and Pregnant Will My Baby Eat
Source: https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/your-body/diarrhea-during-pregnancy_20000032