What Medications Are Safe To Use For Pregnancy-Related Diarrhea?

Digestive difficulties like constipation and diarrhea are common during pregnancy, often related to hormones, diet changes, or added stress. Diarrhea can occur due to infections, hormone changes, or underlying health conditions. Loperamide, the active ingredient in the brand-name drug Imodium, is used to treat acute and sometimes chronic diarrhea and is considered safe for pregnant women.

To manage diarrhea during pregnancy, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and considering oral rehydration solutions to replace lost electrolytes. Opt for a bland diet, such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Loperamide slows down bowel movements to produce denser stools during diarrhea, making it a safe option for pregnant women.

If diarrhea continues for a few hours, drink fluids and liquid foods containing salt, such as broth or sports drinks. Be careful about what you eat while having diarrhea, as a simple diet of carbohydrates, bananas, and soup can be helpful.

Do not take any medication to stop diarrhea in pregnancy without consulting your GP, midwife, or pharmacist first. If diarrhea is caused by bacteria or parasites, antibiotics may be needed, but if a virus is causing the diarrhea, antibiotics will not help.

Some over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications, such as Imodium (loperamide) or Pepto-Bismol, are safe during pregnancy, but always consult with your ob-gyn before taking any medication. Consult your doctor about sipping a sports drink with electrolytes, which can replenish lost fluids and key minerals like sodium, chloride, and potassium.

How can I settle my diarrhea while pregnant?

• Don’t panic if you do have diarrhoea and vomiting. Try to concentrate on taking care of yourself.
• Make sure you stay at home and rest as much as possible.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Eat small, light meals if you are hungry and it doesn’t make you feel sick.
• If you don’t eat for 24 hours, don’t worry, but make sure you drink plenty of fluid.
• Wash your hands before and after going to the toilet and after vomiting.

Diarrhoea and vomiting can spread easily. You should stay at home until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days.

When should I see a doctor with diarrhoea and/or vomiting in pregnancy?. See your GP if:

How can I stop diarrhoea and sickness during pregnancy?

• Don’t panic if you do have diarrhoea and vomiting. Try to concentrate on taking care of yourself.
• Make sure you stay at home and rest as much as possible.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Eat small, light meals if you are hungry and it doesn’t make you feel sick.
• If you don’t eat for 24 hours, don’t worry, but make sure you drink plenty of fluid.
• Wash your hands before and after going to the toilet and after vomiting.

Diarrhoea and vomiting can spread easily. You should stay at home until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days.

When should I see a doctor with diarrhoea and/or vomiting in pregnancy?. See your GP if:

What can a pregnant woman take while Stooling?

Pregnancy constipation, defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a week, can be uncomfortable. Constipation is common in pregnancy. Stool softeners, such as docusate sodium (Colace) and docusate calcium (Surfak), moisten the stool and make it easier to pass. These products are unlikely to harm a developing baby because their active ingredient is only minimally absorbed by the body.

Your health care provider might also recommend a laxative. Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium (Metamucil, Konsyl, others) and polycarbophil (FiberCon, Equalactin, others) are typically considered safe to use during pregnancy because they aren’t absorbed by the body. Other laxatives that are considered safe to use during pregnancy include saline laxatives, such as magnesium hydroxide (Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia, Dulcolax, others) or magnesium citrate; stimulants, such as bisacodyl (Ducodyl); and lactulose (Cholac, Constilac, others).

Many laxatives and stool softeners are available without a prescription. However, check with your health care provider before taking any medication — including stool softeners and other types of laxatives — to treat pregnancy constipation.

What are 5 warning signs of a possible problem during pregnancy?

If any of the following signs occur, the woman should be taken immediately to the hospital or health centre. vaginal bleeding. convulsions/fits. severe headaches with blurred vision. fever and too weak to get out of bed. severe abdominal pain. fast or difficult breathing.

NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

Counselling for Maternal and Newborn Health Care: A Handbook for Building Skills. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013.

Counselling for Maternal and Newborn Health Care: A Handbook for Building Skills.. Show details.

How can I stop Diarrhoea and sickness during pregnancy?

• Don’t panic if you do have diarrhoea and vomiting. Try to concentrate on taking care of yourself.
• Make sure you stay at home and rest as much as possible.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Eat small, light meals if you are hungry and it doesn’t make you feel sick.
• If you don’t eat for 24 hours, don’t worry, but make sure you drink plenty of fluid.
• Wash your hands before and after going to the toilet and after vomiting.

Diarrhoea and vomiting can spread easily. You should stay at home until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days.

When should I see a doctor with diarrhoea and/or vomiting in pregnancy?. See your GP if:

What can I take for diarrhea while pregnant?

Diarrhea. The only pregnancy-safe medication for diarrhea during pregnancy is loperamide (Imodium®). But note that it shouldn’t be taken after the first trimester and shouldn’t be taken for more than 24 hours.

If you’re still experiencing diarrhea after home treatment for a day or if you’re in your first trimester and experiencing concerning diarrhea, Dr. Hudock recommends checking in with your healthcare provider.

Changes to your diet when you have “the runs ” can make a big difference, too. Make sure to keep hydrated (including drinking sports drinks to keep up your electrolytes). And stick to bland foods, like bananas, rice, applesauce and toast (also called the BRAT diet ).

Can diarrhea harm a baby during pregnancy?

Diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration and malnutrition, which can be harmful to the woman and fetus.

A pregnant woman should receive immediate medical care if she experiences any of the following symptoms:

• Stools that contain blood or pus
• diarrhea that lasts longer than 48 hours
• six or more loose stools in a 24-hour period
• a fever of 102°F (39°C) or higher
• frequent vomiting
• severe pain in the rectum or abdomen
• symptoms of dehydration, such as dark urine, thirst, dry mouth, feeling lightheaded, or urinating less frequently

A person can prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of water. It is also important to drink liquids containing electrolytes, such as :

• Broths and clear soups
• sports drinks
• fruit juices
• caffeine-free sodas

How can I clear my bowels during pregnancy?

Consuming 25 to 30 grams of fiber-rich foods daily can help soften stools and support pregnancy. Fiber can be found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, peas, and lentils. It is important to measure the grams you are getting from these foods to ensure you are getting enough fiber. Drinking eight to 12 cups of water daily is crucial for pregnancy and softening stools. Other options include low-fat milk, smoothies, tea, and juices without added sugar.

Consuming 20 to 30 minutes of moderate exercise three times a week is essential for maintaining a healthy bowel. Consult your healthcare provider about safe exercises that stimulate the muscles in your bowel. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your healthcare provider may prescribe a laxative or fiber supplement to relieve constipation. However, it is important to consult your provider before taking any laxatives or supplements, as not all have been tested for safety and effectiveness during pregnancy.

Side effects of laxatives, such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, should be considered. It is crucial to take the right laxative and the right amount of time, as some may cause dehydration and imbalance. It is essential to consult your healthcare provider for guidance on managing constipation during pregnancy.

Does mom having diarrhea affect baby?

Breastfeeding with travelers’ diarrhea. A nursing mother with diarrhea caused by food or water sources can continue to breastfeed her child. However, she should also increase her own fluid intake to prevent dehydration (loss of too much water in the body). The organisms that cause travelers’ diarrhea do not pass through breast milk. It is safe for mothers and their children to use properly prepared solutions of oral rehydration salts.

Antidiarrheal medications. Breastfeeding mothers should carefully check the labels of over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications to avoid using bismuth subsalicylate. These compounds can lead to the transfer of salicylate to the child through breast milk.

Antibiotics. Fluoroquinolones and macrolides, commonly used to treat travelers’ diarrhea, are excreted in breast milk. Decisions about whether a nursing mother should use these antibiotics should be made in consultation with the child’s primary care provider. Most experts consider short-term use of the antibiotic azithromycin compatible with breastfeeding.

What to do for a stomach bug while pregnant?

Stick to bland, easily digestible foods like crackers, toast, rice, bananas, and applesauce. Staying hydrated is essential. Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, electrolyte solutions, or clear broth.

How do you settle an upset stomach while pregnant?

To help relieve morning sickness:Choose foods carefully. Select foods that are high in protein, low in fat and easy to digest. … Snack often. … Drink plenty of fluids. … Pay attention to nausea triggers. … Take care with prenatal vitamins. … Rinse your mouth after vomiting.

Diagnosis. Morning sickness is typically diagnosed based on symptoms. If your health care provider suspects hyperemesis gravidarum, you may need an exam along with urine and blood tests.

Treatment. Treatments for morning sickness include vitamin B-6 supplements (pyridoxine), ginger and drugs such as doxylamine (Unisom). Continuing symptoms might require prescription anti-nausea medications.

Vomiting during pregnancy may cause dehydration and an imbalance of electrolytes, such as sodium or potassium. Extra fluids and prescription medicine are recommended for moderate to severe morning sickness.