It is common to have stomach and digestive issues during pregnancy. The phenomenon of morning sickness and constipation is well-known; diarrhea is rare but not unheard of. It does not get as much attention as the other gastrointestinal issues which most pregnant people face. Diarrhea is usually not linked to morning sickness, nor is it considered an early sign of pregnancy. As a matter of fact, diarrhea can occur in any trimester.
And yet some people do consider diarrhea to be an early sign of pregnancy. Hormonal changes in the first few days of conception and then in the first few weeks of pregnancy could quite possibly cause stomach problems that, in turn, lead to diarrhea. Certain other symptoms like fatigue, breast tenderness, and nausea are much more common in the first trimester.
There is a common belief that diarrhea can be harmful to the baby and increase the chances of a miscarriage. But is diarrhea a sign of pregnancy implantation? The abdominal cramping that occurs along with diarrhea could feel like the pain of a possible loss of pregnancy, which has led to such misconceptions. The gastrointestinal tract is a completely different system from that of the reproductive ones. It is pretty unlikely that a petty case of diarrhea could put your baby at risk. Remember to stay hydrated and treat any infection that you may have.
However, diarrhea in late pregnancy could be a sign that your delivery is getting closer. Many women have reported diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, and/or vomiting right before going into labor. Of course, it could happen due to other reasons, too, such as infections and food poisoning occurring throughout the pregnancy.
Causes Of Diarrhea
Diarrhea while you are pregnant, could happen due to a hoard of reasons, such as changes in your diet, a stomach virus, hormones, and so on. Some of the reasons you could be affected by diarrhea during pregnancy are:
Body Changes
During pregnancy, there are bound to be shifts in your hormones and your body. The growing uterus inside your body starts to crowd your digestive system, causing changes in your bowel system, and leading to constipation, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Prenatal Vitamins
The vitamins you are taking could be the culprit. Certain brands have side effects that cause constipation in some and diarrhea in others. If you think your vitamins are not sitting well with you, ask your doctor to change them to another brand.
Diet
A sudden shift in eating habits could result in a change in bowel movements. You may be driven to eat healthy knowing that you are expecting a baby. But going from burgers and pizzas to fruits and greens could be overwhelming for your digestive system to process. Sometimes intake of large quantities of grapes and berries could cause diarrhea.
Diarrhea in pregnancy could also be due to reasons not related to pregnancy. Some of them are:
- A virus or bacteria
- Preexisting health issues such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or hyperthyroidism
- Certain antibiotics
- Traveling
- Food poisoning
Is Diarrhea A Sign Of Pregnancy Implantation?
If you start to doubt that you could be pregnant and you experience a change in your bowel movements, especially if it’s diarrhea, many women tend to believe it’s a reassurance of their pregnancy being true.
Most women who experience diarrhea in their early days of pregnancy are simply a sign that their body is adapting to all the hormonal changes that their body is undergoing. Many things happen in the first few days after conception. Once the egg is fertilized by the sperm, the embryo moves to the uterus for implantation.
The embryo is self-sufficient in its needs and has everything to stay in the uterus for the first few days. The digestive system is usually the first to be affected by the consequent shift of the hormones following implantation. It will affect your bowel movement, causing you to either suffer from diarrhea or constipation or sometimes both.
Symptoms Of Pregnancy
If you are looking for the telltale signs of being pregnant, here are a few:
- A complete loss of appetite
- You feel yourself gag when passing by a smoker or a garbage truck
- You become extremely sensitive around your breast
And yet most of these are also signs of premenstrual syndrome. Being a woman was never easy. And it does not particularly help that you are desperate to know if you are pregnant or not. Diarrhea is a rare but valid sign of you being pregnant, as it is known to be experienced in a certain percentage of women. But it isn’t the most dire sign either.
Diarrhea does not make for polite conversation, which has led to this particular condition being swept under the rug. It gets hectic enough for women to admit that they are puking all the time.
Diarrhea simply isn’t a reliable indicator of a pregnancy if you are hoping for it to be. Your best bet still is a pregnancy kit.
Symptoms Of Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a condition when your bowel movements are loose in consistency compared to your normal. The stool could be watery or softer than usual. Diarrhea happens in a way that necessitates you to go to the washroom quickly and frequently. Here are some signs to watch out for:
- Cramping
- Stomach pain
- Bloating
- The urgency to visit the toilet
- More than two loose bowel movements in a day
Treatment
When you are pregnant, experiencing morning sickness and heartburn is common. Similar to these gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea is another uncomfortable symptom you will have to weather. In case your diarrhea does not clear within a few days, contact your medical provider for other necessary treatments.
Hydration
It is extremely important for you to hydrate, especially while pregnant. Diarrhea can quickly drain your body fluids, causing dehydration. Taking plenty of fluids, mostly water, can help rehydrate.
Losing electrolytes is also an issue when you have diarrhea, and other liquids such as vegetable and chicken broth and electrolyte-rich solutions can help too
It is advisable to avoid sugary drinks, dairy, tea, coffee, and certain energy drinks that make your diarrhea worsen. And do not forget to drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel like it.
Diet
Easily digestible foods help by being non-irritable to your digestive tract, stimulating the stomach to absorb nutrients more effectively. The BRAT diet containing Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast is the most commonly recommended by doctors. Other digestible foods like chicken, potatoes, lean meats, vegetable sauce, bread, and pasta are also good. You should stay away from spicy, fried, high-fat foods, which can aggravate diarrhea.
Understand that the flipside of diarrhea is constipation which again causes trouble through hard stools. This happens when you overdo the BRAT diet. Constipation is really uncomfortable, but it does not pose a risk for your baby. Constipation is also a result of hormonal changes and the crowding of the uterus on the digestive tract. If you drink lots of water and fiber while also staying active will help treat constipation.
Rest Easy
Diarrhea is known to clear on its own. If your diarrhea is mild without any other symptoms, such as pain, fever, and cramping, you could tough it out. Loose stools that result from a bug or bad food often go away on their own.
Maintain Good Hygiene
Diarrhea can make it easier for bacteria in the colon to get into the urinary tract that can cause the infamous infection UTI- Urinary Tract Infection. Being clean can prevent germs and bacteria from traveling to other parts of your body as well as affect other people. Always make sure you clean front to back with toilet paper and use another tissue to wipe a second time. Keeping your undergarments clean and washing your hands as many times as possible can help maintain good hygiene.
- Our Advice
Avoid over-the-counter medications to help get rid of your diarrhea. The OTC medications you take may not be safe for you during pregnancy. Before getting worked up about is diarrhea a sign of pregnancy implantation, consult your medical provider or OBGYN if you think any of your symptoms need medication. Let your doctor prescribe the medicine based on symptoms and pregnancy factors.
Can Diarrhea Be Dangerous
Diarrhea is known to be mild and self-curing. But it can get serious. Losing water due to frequent bowel movements can lead to dehydration-something that poses a risk to your baby. Stay alert about the signs of dehydration:
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Nausea or vomiting
- Urine that has a strong smell
- Less urination
- Feeling lightheaded and dizzy
- Dark yellow or orange urine
Conclusion
So, you are asking, is diarrhea a sign of pregnancy implantation. If you are having diarrhea and you are worrying that it will cause a problem for your pregnancy, stop right there. Diarrhea isn’t the most typical cause or symptom that you might be having a miscarriage.
Some people may experience diarrhea when they have a pregnancy loss, but that does not make it the marker for it. It is entirely possible for you to get diarrhea while you are pregnant, but it almost never affects the pregnancy. If there is anything that is causing you to worry about yourself and your baby, you must immediately contact a medical provider to ensure safety.
Additional Reading:
- A 6 Week Ultrasound: What To Expect?
- Cinnamon Cause Miscarriage: Myth Or Fact
- Midwives Brew: Does It Really Work to Induce Labor?
- A Guide to Natural Pregnancy Prevention: How to Avoid Pregnancy without Contraceptives
