Loose Stools
What is the opposite of constipation? Loose stools are little talked about, but quite common part of pregnancy. Pregnant women everywhere will complain about how constipated they are, but they rarely mention when they are having loose stools, either out of relief, or embarrassment.
Why do some women have loose stools? In most pregnancies, women will experience times of both constipation and diarrhea. Loose stools are obviously easier to tolerate, considering the condition doesn’t cause pain and hemorrhoids or lead to hours sitting on the toilet trying to get relief.
Loose stools in pregnancy can symbolize different things at different times. During early pregnancy, it can be a sign you are pregnant, as your uterus starts to grow and pushes out the waste. It can also be caused by your prenatal vitamin, just as constipation can be caused by the prenatal vitamin. All pregnancies and women are different.
Loose stools after the 37th week of pregnancy can signify the onset of labor. As your baby shifts and begins to drop, taking pressure off of your intestines and colon, you may begin experiencing diarrhea. It doesn’t mean labor will start that day, but it is a good sign that labor will start soon!
Some people even complain of smelly stools while pregnant. This can be caused by hormone changes and the food you eat, but it might also be caused by a virus. If you have smelly stools you should talk to your doctor. Likewise, while some women will have diarrhea throughout their entire pregnancies, if you are bothered by it, bring it up to your care provider and see if they have any options for you.
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Stephanie says...
I came across this article during my 9th week of pregnancy, the last 3 weeks of which have been riddled with loose stools and frequent trips to the bathroom. I find the implications strange and somewhat offensive that those of us that struggle with loose stools during pregnancy somehow have it “easier” than those women who are continually constipated. It is not even noon yet and I have had 6 loose stools today already (starting with the one at 3:30am that woke me up), painful bloating and gas, and an overwhelming unease about leaving my house for fear of when the next “urge” will strike! How is that “easier”?
Rita says...
I found it helpful to be reminded that other women have it harder (it’s not a contest!). I’ve been cranky and annoyed by having loose stools, but it’s true, pain and hemorrhoids would be much worse. Also, I have a friend with HG, so I tend to feel grateful for having it so easy compared to her. Nothing compares to constant nausea and vomiting for 9 months.
Shay says...
I’m just glad to know that I’m not alone, and that there’s not something wrong with me.
I woke up this morning (7 weeks, 5 days) with no morning sickness, only the slightest bit of nausea, my breasts felt fine, no headache… it was like waking up from a bad dream… but I was terrified that something had happened to my baby…
Until I ate, and immediately had the worst gurgling in my stomach… So, then, I was even more scared… Because I’d been told that pregnant woment get constipated. I think that every pregnancy book should say “some women experience (symptom) but an equal amount of women experience the exact opposite” under EVERY symptom listed.
It would keep 24 year old first timers like myself from calling “ask a nurse” eight times a week.
Jen says...
Well, I am 27 weeks and for 2 weeks now have had loose stools. I am beginning to think something is wrong…its not early on and I’m not ready to deliver, so what the heck?
Lizz says...
I am 28 weeks and 5 days along. I have had loose stools almost a whole week. I have made sure my diet is simple and have recorded everything i have ate. Argh. This better not be pre labor. I am also having braxton hicks. Would i be making a fool of myself if i called my midwife concerned? I dont feel all too different but this is my second one and dont want to be under concerned.
sherina says...
can i get pregnant if i have a iiregular period but on nov 10,2008 my period came and i hadn’t came back on it yet so if i have unprotetcted sex will i get pregnant?
Dilettee says...
I’m 24 weeks and 6 days and have had loose stool on and off through my whole pregnancy, today it’s started again and I was starting to worry that something is wrong, I’m not early or late I’m right in the middle, is it normal to have them through your whole pregnancy??
Triza says...
I have just read about loose stools and i’m glad to know that they are part of pregnancy for some women.I thought there was something wrong with me and had contacted my doctor.When they it did not stop, I tried to see what could be causing them in my diet.Now I know better.
Car says...
I am 39 weeks pregnant and have had loose stools for the last 2 months. I checked with the Dr. and he said it’s normal and at least I’m not constipated – which is true since I experienced that in my 1st tri and it was horrible and way more uncomfortable. This on the other hand is embarassing and I’m worried about what else is going to happen during delivery. I agree 100% with the other post that “loose stools” is not listed as common during pregnancy anywhere!!! I have been so worried that something is wrong with me or the baby until I found this website. I only have a week left so I hope that will be the end of it.
Emerald says...
I am 23 weeks and for the first 4 months straight I was badly constipated and now I got the loose stool problem. I know its not a contest to see whats worse but constipation is by far worse and having loose stools with the after effects of constipation (hemmeroids) is still not as bad as being constipated.
Emily says...
Wow! I read shay’s entry from above, and the same thing happened to me in my seventh week. I woke up and it felt like Everything was gone. Like I wasn’t even pregnant anymore, I started trippin calling my doctor, and then I had the same gurgling stomach… rest assured though a few hours later the quesiness was back, and hangs with me like my best friend ever since. I don’t really like my new best friend… I’m just gonna have more fiber intake I think Hopefully that will make it better without making it worse.
Lewelynn says...
I am so relieved to find this site! I am nine weeks pregnant and also thought something was wrong with this second pregnancy. As it wasn’t listed in any of the reading I did during the first pregnancy. This should be listed. I feel two bricks being lifted off my shoulders as I type this. We only told our parents this weekend as we were thinking this pregnancy wouldn’t be successful. (I understand there is still room for that but not with this issue as a concern.)
Robyn says...
I experienced loose stools throughout my entire first pregnancy and am not sure if I am expecting again, but they’re back. Maybe I’m coming down with something, may not…but I can safely say its normal to have them and I’m glad I didn’t have the opposite the first go-around.
Sarah says...
I am 15 weeks, and have had loose stools now for 2 weeks straight. I was concerned as well, feeling this couldn’t be right. Especially after having constipation during the end of my first trimester.
Thankfully, this is mentioned in “What to expect when your expecting”, which put my mind at ease as soon as I read it. They say you are one of the lucky ones if you are not constipated, and that a healthy diet is probably to blame for most loose stools.
I know I have def made a conscience effort to eat healthy as soon as I became pregnant. I just hope my body finds a balance so I can feel comfortable being in social settings again with out fearing I will need to use their bathroom.
Dee says...
Im only 4 weeks pregnant and iv been having loose stools for 4-5 days now. Iv seen the doctor and he said its common, although he did say that i can have it examined to check its not a bug. But i am releived to read here i am not alone and seems a normal symptom
cath says...
I am 10 weeks today and I have experienced both constipation and loose stools. If its not one, its another! Along with all my other symptoms, I have to say that the pain and hemeroids from the consipation was WAY worse! I don’t like having to constantly plan where the nearest bathroom is, but I’d rather do that than be in that much pain again. That and with the nausea I’m already looking for bathrooms, so I figure I’d rather expierience the more comfortable of the two…..
cybermom says...
Thank you..I thought it wasnt normal but yay it is…Went from 2mnths constip to all of a sudden loose 3x a day…3mnths preggies now.
SupaMommy says...
I am 6 weeks and I’ve had loose stool for over two weeks. Does this mean it’s going to last? It’s rather embarrassing to be running to the bathroom all the time especially when out in public. My dr. said it’s normal, but how can you decifer from “normal” and bacterial? I wish my dr would just do a stool sample to make sure.
Jade says...
I am 22 weeks pregnant with my second child and have been suffering from loose stools and very uncomfortable cramping for the past three days. My first child was delivered at 24 weeks and although now well had a very traumatic start. I am really worried that this could be a sign of early labour.
LIN22 says...
I am approximately 4 months pregnant and feeling very emothional and scared!
I’ve taken 6 HPT’s and they’ve all come back positive…My husband and I are ecstatic!!..I went to the Dr’s( and ended up seeing a nurse practioner as my regular physician is on holidays) today for bloodwork and he sent me to get an ultrasound (as he felt it was very early on to have all tests come back positive…wanted to rule out ectopic pregnancy as well as get a better idea of timing..) the ultrasound showed NOTHING…I’m freaking out…I ended up taking yet again, another test when I got home because I started to second guess everything…once again: Positive! I’ve had diarrhea for the past few days, slight cramping (nothing major)..more like gas pains and gurgling and all signs of pregnancy…should I be concerned that the technician wasn’t able to see any sign of a pregnancy??…I’m really worried!
Cat says...
This article confuses me. For me, I’ve never had diarrhea WITHOUT constipation even before pregnancy. It usually takes me several attempts to go, and I do spend quite a bit of time waiting for relief. It’s a different kind of discomfort from hard stools but it’s still painful and takes forever to get moving. Apparently I’m abnormal if it’s supposed to come out easily.
Melodee says...
Whew! I am so happy I found this website. This is my second pregnancy, I’m 11 weeks and have had loose stools for the last two weeks straight. I can’t hold anything down and I was getting very worried because this did not happen during my 1st pregnancy. While I’m glad to hear this is normal, it is totally embarassing to continualyy be going to the bathroom, especially at work! I hope this ends soon!
josie says...
i was really happy to see this article. for the longest while, i have been complaining about the loose stool. but i was blaming the iron pills really.
Jessica says...
I am also suffering from loose stools. 27 weeks pregnant. Same thing as Jenn… Week 20 it became really bad- but I never had constipation or went more than a day without at least 2. I think that the books should incorporate loose stools as something that is common in pregnancy because like everyone else on here- I feel like something is wrong with me and my baby when I look it up and I cannot find anything about it except that I’m having preterm labor (which I am not!!)…
misty says...
just take immodium. it’s safe for the baby.
jenna says...
well may i just say.. thats a huge load off my mind! im 18weeks pregnant, and have been having a loose stool every morning practically the same time on the dot! throughout my pregnancy ive had hardly any symptoms.. having suffered a miscarriage at 4 and a half months in the past.. i naturally worried the same will happen again. my boobs are tender and growing almost by the day!.. i have hardly any sign of a bump either.. but the main worry was the loose stools. i spoke to my midwife, and she suggested i speak to a nurse at my GP. so tomorrow im off to mak an appointment.. but after reading this site, i am far less worried now! thanks!!
Kira says...
I don’t know if I am pregnant but, I have been having loose stools for the past three days. My period came Oct. 16 and when it went away we started having sex everyday to conceive. I have vomiting or the urge to vomit some cramping (which I thought was due to implantation) and the loose stools. After reading this article it sounds as if I am preggars….What do you think???
Melinda says...
I am 11 wks pregnant. I have experienced both loose stool and hemorrhoids! Trust me, you would much rather have loose stool than hemorrhoids. I was in agony with the ‘rhoids!’
With the loose stools you atleast aren’t constipated! A few tips for hemorrhoids is to keep wipes in your purse that is specialized for the ‘back door.’ Also, try bathing in some baking soda or epson salt. Good luck ladies!
Mary says...
Am 12 weeks pregnant its my first and been having loose stools for the last 2 months. I was worried , did stool test found nothing wrong but was not convinced i visited this website and was relieved to find that am not alone and thats its normal maybe now can rest easy.