Diarrhea is a super common and usually harmless condition. But if you’re pregnant, some prescription and over-the-counter diarrhea medications may not be safe for you and your baby. Don’t worry. There are actually plenty of ways you can naturally treat your diarrhea. To help you do it, we’ve put together a handy list of things you can do to help relieve your symptoms.

1

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

  1. Hydration is the main concern of diarrhea. Diarrhea can cause you to lose a lot of fluid, which is never a good thing if you’re pregnant. Keep a water bottle or a glass of water nearby at all times.[1] Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day to replenish the fluids you’re losing.[2]
    • Drink at least 1 cup (240 mL) of water every time you have a bowel movement.
    • If you have severe diarrhea, your doctor might recommend an electrolyte replacement drink. To make your own, combine 16 fluid ounces (470 mL) of cold water with 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of maple syrup and 1 tsp (5 g) of coarse sea salt. Add a little lemon juice to give it some zest and improve the taste.[3]
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4

Add vitamin and mineral-rich foods if you can tolerate them.

  1. Starchy foods, veggies, lean meats, eggs, and yogurt can help. The BRAT diet is gentle, but it won’t give you some important vitamins and minerals, especially zinc. If your stomach and digestive system feel okay, try adding some potatoes, unsweetened cereal, and crackers to your diet. You can also have some cooked vegetables and meat to give you more nutrition while you recover.[6]
    • Yogurt with live, active cultures of lactobacillus acidophilus can be especially beneficial to your digestive system while you’re dealing with diarrhea.
    • Some high-protein foods can help firm up your stool. If you can tolerate them, try having some low-fat cheese, lean fish, beef, pork, or skinless poultry.[7]
5

Replace lost electrolytes with juice or sports drinks.

  1. Drinking juice is a simple way to boost your potassium levels. Diarrhea can strip you of important electrolytes like potassium. Having a nice glass or two of juice, such as apple or orange juice, is a simple way to replenish them. It’s tasty and will also help keep you hydrated.[8] You can also sip on a sports drink that contains electrolytes to help replenish your levels.[9]
    • Watch out for juice with added sugars, which can upset your digestive system and potentially make your symptoms worse. Go for juices that say “100% juice” on the label.
    • You can also ask your doctor about rehydration drinks such as Pedialyte to see if they’re safe for you to drink.
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6

Replenish your sodium by drinking broth.

10

See your doctor if your diarrhea lasts longer than 2 days.

  1. It could be a sign of a more severe condition. Most cases of diarrhea clear up on their own after a day or so. But if yours lasts longer than 2 days, you notice any blood or pus, or you have a fever, it could be a sign of a more serious illness, such as food poisoning. Get to a doctor right away for treatment so there isn’t any potential risk to your baby.[14]
    • Listeriosis is an infection caused by eating contaminated food that you can potentially pass to your baby, so it’s important that you seek medical treatment if your diarrhea doesn’t go away.
    • If you’re having diarrhea after recent treatment with an antibiotic, you may have an infection in your bowel called Clostridium difficile. This infection can be serious and requires medical treatment, so see your doctor right away for testing. They’ll need to take a stool sample to diagnose it.

Warnings

  • Never take any medications while you’re pregnant without checking with your doctor first to make sure it’s okay.
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  • If you feel sharp pains in your abdomen, or if you have vaginal bleeding, see a doctor right away.[15]
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About This Article

Erik Kramer, DO, MPH
Co-authored by:
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
This article was co-authored by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH. Dr. Erik Kramer is a Board-Certified Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado. With over 15 years of experience, his clinical interests include obesity and weight management, diabetes care, and preventive care, as well as embracing a holistic approach to primary care. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Central Maine Medical Center. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. This article has been viewed 100,334 times.
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Co-authors: 6
Updated: May 24, 2022
Views: 100,334

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

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