Constant Diarrhea

Updated on May 20, 2010
J.A. asks from Phoenix, AZ
12 answers

i am 26 weeks pregnant with my second child. i have been having diarrhea for about a week now. it is worrying me and it keeps changing colors as well. i have never had this problem before and i have already contacted my doctor. he said to just try and take an over the counter med for diarrhea. well, i am on the broke side and dont have the money for it. has anyone had this problem? and if so can you PLEASE give me some advise!!! i have looked it up on other sites, and it says it can either be a virus or it also said that some women aquire diarrhea right before they go into labor... i know i dont have a viirus... HELP PLEASE!?!?!

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So What Happened?

well my doctor asked that i come in the next day to take a stool sample. i'm not able to make it in right away due to limited transportation. i will most deffinately try the BRAT diet as soon i get into him this afternoon. thank you all very much for te advise and i will keep you all posted once i get too see my doctor this afternoon.

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B.B.

answers from Tucson on

When I was a kind my mom use to blend up red apples (with the peels on) and have us eat it like a soup. It really helped with the diarrhea. Use red delicious apples only. Good luck.

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D.K.

answers from Washington DC on

I used to think that I had IBS, but my problem miraculously cleared up after I quit drinking soda and cut most of the sugar out of my life. There may be something you are eating that you're sensitive to. Try keeping a journal of what you eat and when you "go" with as many details as you can stand to put in there including time of day for both activities (important for tracking patterns) and anything else you notice. This might help you pinpoint something causal in what you're eating. Also make sure you're staying hydrated and try adding bananas, cheese, rice, and dry toast to your diet. These things can all help to minimize diarrhea. If you have any Pepto Bismol around the house, then that should help too and my Dr. told me it was ok to take during pregnancy.

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P.G.

answers from Tulsa on

Try eating cheese, or bananas.

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N.F.

answers from Seattle on

Try the B.R.A.T Diet. Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. Drink TONS of fluids because you can get severely dehydrated if it's been going on for a week. If it continues, you might have a bigger problem and will need to have an IV of fluids. Take care of yourself and that baby... hope this helps!

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G.M.

answers from Punta Gorda on

Have you ever had a gallbladder attack? Are you having any pain on your right side under your ribs, or wrapping around toward your back? Talk to your doctor again. He shouldn't be blowing you off about this.

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M.S.

answers from Phoenix on

It might help if you increase the fiber in your diet. Most people seem to think fiber is only to help you go, but it has great regulatory effects on your digestive system. While I was pregnant I used alot of ground flax seed. It is very cheap (especially if you have somewhere to buy it in bulk, usually only $1.69/lb), and you don't need more than a teaspoon or two. It has a nutty flavor, so I enjoyed it in oatmeal, cereal, rice, etc. Really anything you want to sprinkle it in. Flax is also very high in omega 3 fatty acids which are especially important to your baby in the third trimester.
I agree with the other responses to watch your diet very closely. It helps to keep a food journal, because then you can't pretend you didn't eat a bunch of junk! LOL I would try a mostly "raw" diet: no processed foods. Lots of natural, organic, fruits and veggies, nuts, beans etc.
Also, maybe you should find another doctor? Sounds strange that he's not more concerned. I know that sounds lame when you're already this far along, but I had a horrible doctor for my first 4 months of pregnancy and I was so glad I finally switched. The new doctor was attentive, interested in what I had to say and I would gladly ask him to care for me with any future pregnancies.
GOOD LUCK! Hope you feel better sooner rather than later!

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A.P.

answers from Boston on

Your digestive tract can be all screwy when you're pregnant, however a week seems like a long time to have diarrhea. It sounds like maybe you have a stomach virus, I would just recommmend lots of water since dehydration would be bad for you and your baby, and bananas, rice, applesauce, toast. I was told I could take Immodium while I was pregnant, although I never ended up taking it. Someone suggested Pepto Bismol but I was told not to because it has some aspirin ingredients which is bad for pregnant women so I would avoid Pepto. If it keeps up you should insist on seeing a doctor, it doesn't sound all that normal to have diarrhea for a week which is changing colors.

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G.B.

answers from Boise on

Yes, "some" labors will start with loose stools and a crampy feel.(happened with my first one).
But that occurs when you are actively in labor- the body is clearing out any possible toxins to get ready for the birth...(perhaps on women who's child has not turned to get into position?I had back labor and baby came out face up) anyway the loose stool started for me the late morning of a monday - I didnt realize it was labor until midnight-when the cramping became more evenly spaced. but the loose stool finally cleared up about 10pm... and had the child the next day. If you have had it for a week, I would definitely say it is most likely something else.

My hunch would be you got infected with something. There is a bacteria called Giardia ,and there are multiple other parasites in water and food both that can cause diarrhea. usually viruses start with flu symptoms. There have been whole communities infected with parasites when municiple water supplies get tainted.
Your docotr should do a stool sample. Shame on him for advising you to take immodium while pregrant- with the runs for a week!!! You should fire him.

Look up food born parasites and Water born parasites.

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J.J.

answers from Phoenix on

There have been a lot of gastro bugs going around lately. Drink plenty of fluids so you don't get dehydrated. Gatorade may be good with the electrolytes. You won't necessarily have a fever with a gastro virus. That's what it sounds like. I had a bad one a while ago and it lasted about 2 weeks before I was back to normal. Wash your hands a lot and spray that Lysol so no one else in the family gets it.

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

You can try the BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) diet to firm things up. Sometimes green tea will help some people (but it gives me the runs so I can't use it). Stay away from sugary drinks (juice and milk can make things worse if you have bacteria which will feed on the sugar). Pedialyte is fine for adults and tastes sweet, but it's not a sugar bacteria can use (so it won't make it worse) and it'll help to keep you hydrated and keep your electrolytes balanced. Gatorade works the same way as Pedialyte. Once a gut is irritated, it can stay irritated for awhile after the initial source of the irritation is gone. It might be a few weeks before things are back to normal. As long as you stay hydrated you should be fine.

A.C.

answers from Jacksonville on

Have you changed your prenatal vitamin or the time of day you take it? I had to take mine before bed or no matter what it gave me diarrhea. If nothing has changed I would call your doc again. I would also try the BRAT diet as someone else suggested. Make sure you are staying hydrated with plenty of fluids. If water makes it worse try a watered down gatorade.

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C.C.

answers from Flagstaff on

I had this problem with my 3rd pregnancy. My doc said that the same hormone that causes labor (progesterone) also causes diarrhea. I had it on and off from 26 weeks until I delivered at 38 weeks. I also would sometimes get labor pain, but only during the time I had diarrhea and then they would stop when the diarrhea quit. It was not fun, and really draining. Definitely DON'T take any OTC meds. They are bad for baby. Yes the BRAT diet helps, and cheese slows down digestion too. I also found that eating some yogurt every day helped immensely, along with bananas and any bland foods. Good luck to you.

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