Can diarrhoea be a sign of early pregnancy?
Polly Logan-Banks
Content EditorThink you might be pregnant? Find out if diarrhoea can be a sign of early pregnancy, plus what else can cause diarrhoea and when to see your GP.
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If you're trying for a baby or think you might be pregnant, it can be tricky to tell whether any unusual symptoms you're experiencing are a sign of pregnancy. We've dug into the research to find out whether diarrhoea can be a sign that you're expecting, or if it might be down to something else ...
Is diarrhoea a symptom of early pregnancy?
No, diarrhoea isn't considered to be a sign of early pregnancy. On the contrary, the NHS says that constipation is actually more likely in the early weeks of pregnancy.
It is true that diarrhoea can sometimes happen more often in pregnancy. However, this is because pregnant women are more prone to picking up stomach bugs and other illnesses. Pregnancy itself doesn't usually cause diarrhoea.
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Instead, look out for these common signs of early pregnancy:
- Tiredness
- Nausea or being sick
- Sore, tender or tingling breasts
- Peeing more often
- Period-type pains (but no period)
- PMS (cramping, bloating, headaches, heartburn, indigestion, feeling overly emotional)
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Changes to your senes of taste or smell (food cravings or aversions)
Read more about the early signs of pregnancy or get the lowdown on when to take a pregnancy test.
If I'm not pregnant, why do I have diarrhoea?
The NHS defines diarrhoea as 'passing looser or more frequent stools than is normal for you'. It's pretty common, and usually nothing to worry about. In most cases, it goes away on its own within a couple of days.
The most common cause of diarrhoea is a bowel infection or stomach bug, also known as gastroenteritis. This could be caused by a virus (such as norovirus or rotavirus), bacteria (such as E.coli, a common cause of food poisoning), or parasite (though this is less common in the UK).
Less commonly, diarrhoea can also be caused by:
- anxiety (which can be common if you're trying to conceive or think you might be pregnant)
- food allergy
- certain types of medication
- other health conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome
When should I see the doctor about my diarrhoea?
Most cases of diarrhoea go away on their own within a few days, so chances are you may not have to see your GP at all.
The biggest worry with diarrhoea is dehydration. If your pee is darker and smellier than usual, or you're peeing less often, go and see a pharmacist. They can give you oral rehydration sachets to help rehydrate you. If you're not pregnant, they may also be able to recommend over-the-counter medicines to stop your diarrhoea for a few hours.
If you're not sure what's caused your diarrhoea, don't go to work until at least two days after it stops. The most common causes of diarrhoea are very contagious, so wash your hands frequently to avoid passing it on. Also be sure to wash things like crockery, cutlery, bedding and towels in hot water before allowing others to use them.
While you're waiting for your diarrhoea to go away, get plenty of rest and keep drinking lots of fluids to guard against dehydration. Avoid fruit juice and fizzy drinks though, as they can make diarrhoea worse. Eat if you feel up to it, but don't worry if you don't have much appetite. If you feel poorly, it's fine to take paracetamol.
Call NHS 111 if:
- your diarrhoea lasts for more than a week
- you notice any blood in your poo, or when wiping
- you're still dehydrated after using oral rehydration sachets
- you're also being sick and can't keep any fluids down
Still think you could be pregnant? This 'Ultra-Early' test kit by Clearblue provides accurate results up to six days before your missed period. It's a trustworthy option that you can find here at Amazon.
Check out our articles below, or swap tips and advice with other parents-to-be in our forum:
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