Indian Way to Treat Diarrhea During Pregnancy ( Ayurvedic Method to Fight Against Diarrhea During Pregnancy )

During pregnancy, it's generally more common to have constipation rather than diarrhea. But some women do report having mild diarrhea just before they go into labor. And if you're less than 37 weeks along, it can be a sign of preterm labor.

Otherwise, just like when you're not pregnant, you can get diarrhea from a stomach virus or food poisoning. Certain antibiotics and antacids can sometimes cause diarrhea, as can some foods: Sugar-free candies are common culprits, as are dairy products for people who are lactose-intolerant. And women with gastrointestinal problems, including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and diverticulitis, can suffer from occasional or chronic diarrhea.

If you haven't had a bowel movement in several days then suddenly develop watery diarrhea, you might have fecal impaction. In this condition, impacted stool causes a partial or complete obstruction of the large bowel. Watery stool sometimes leaks around it, showing up as diarrhea.

In this case, you'll probably have other symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and a distended (bloated) abdomen. If you have these signs of an intestinal obstruction, you need immediate evaluation and treatment.


If you've come down with a stomach virus or a mild case of food poisoning, you should feel better in 24 hours or less. In the meantime, drink plenty of water and stick to bland foods, like bananas, rice, and toast.

Diarrhea During Pregnancy

Digestive difficulties during pregnancy are unfortunately common. Diarrhea may occur frequently, as well as constipation. Blame it on shifting hormones, changes in diet, and added stress. The fact is, pregnant women deal with diarrhea quite a lot, and if they aren’t cautious, it can cause problems. Find out why diarrhea is so common during pregnancy, and what you can do to ease the discomfort when it strikes.

Learn how to handle thirst, mouth watering, and urinary frequency during pregnancy »

Why Diarrhea Is Common During Pregnancy
If you experience three or more loose bowel movements in one day, you may have diarrhea. Diarrhea during pregnancy is common. However, just because you have diarrhea doesn’t necessarily mean it’s directly related to your pregnancy.

Non-pregnancy-related reasons include:

• virus
• bacteria
• stomach flu
• intestinal parasites
• food poisoning
• medications

Certain conditions also make diarrhea more common. These include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and ulcerative colitis.

Pregnancy-related causes for diarrhea include:

• diet changes: Many women make dramatic diet changes when they find out they are pregnant. This sudden shift in your food intake can upset your stomach and potentially cause diarrhea.
• new food sensitivities: In addition to an ever-expanding abdomen, pregnancy can cause a lot of changes to your body. Food sensitivities may be one of those changes. Foods that never fazed you before becoming pregnant may now leave you with gas, upset stomach, and diarrhea.
• prenatal vitamins: Taking prenatal vitamins is good for your health as well as the health of your growing baby. However, these vitamins may upset your stomach and cause diarrhea.
• hormone changes: Hormones may make your digestive system slow down, so constipation may be an issue. Hormones can also speed up the digestive system, which may make diarrhea a problem. Hormone-related diarrhea is more common in later weeks.

Diarrhea Is More Common in the Third Trimester

As you near your due date, you may find that diarrhea becomes more common. That may be because your body is preparing itself for labor.  Diarrhea doesn’t necessarily mean that your labor is mere days away, so don’t be alarmed by the increased frequency. Some women will not even experience frequent diarrhea in their third trimester, and some will. Each person’s experience will be different.

Remedies for Diarrhea During Pregnancy
If you’re leery of medications while you’re pregnant, there’s some good news. You may not need to take any additional medications to treat your diarrhea. In fact, most cases of diarrhea clear up on their own. However, if you need something else, a few treatments are available.

How to treat diarrhea during pregnancy:

• Give it time. Most cases of diarrhea will clear up in a few days. This is often the case if your diarrhea is the result of food poisoning, a bug or virus, or bacteria. Keep hydrated.
• Consider your medication. If a medication you’re taking is causing the diarrhea, your body may be able to adjust to it, and the diarrhea may stop. If not, talk with your doctor. You may be able to stop taking it, switch to a different medication, or ease the side effect some other way.
• Get a prescription. Make an appointment to see your doctor if your diarrhea doesn’t end after two or three days. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam, and may draw blood to determine what is causing the diarrhea. If it’s determined that bacteria or parasites are responsible, you will likely receive treatment.
• Avoid problematic foods. Certain food groups can make diarrhea worse. Steer clear of high-fat, fried foods, spicy foods, milk and dairy, and high-fiber foods.

Do not take an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication without consulting your doctor. Certain conditions may be worsened by these medicines. Additionally, they are not safe for everyone to use.

Stay Hydrated
If you’re experiencing diarrhea, it’s important to stay hydrated. Watery, loose bowel movements remove a lot of fluid from your body. Dehydration can happen quickly and be very serious.

Drink water to replace the fluids you’re losing. Drink juice and broth to help replace some of the electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals your body has lost.

When to Seek Treatment
If your diarrhea lasts more than two or three days, call your doctor. Your body can become dehydrated even in that short window of time. Dehydration is a risk factor for premature labor. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.