Diarrhea in pregnancy is for short period of time and disappears of its own however if it gets persistent she needs to contact her physician for proper treatment.

Few of the causes of Diarrhea in pregnancy could be:

• Just before labor: Many times diarrhea occurs in women just before labor starts and this is said to be the preparation of her body for the birth of the baby. If she is having persistent diarrhea she needs to consume water and food at a regular intervals to avoid getting weak .She should see her doctor if there is any complication immediately.
• Hormonal changes: When a woman becomes pregnant then there is fluctuation of her hormones in body which leads to diarrhea.
• Due to increase consumption of water: Pregnant women drink loads of water to avoid premature labor which can again lead to diarrhea.
• Changes in diet: the diet of an expecting woman is different as she starts eating more for her baby. Her diet now includes more of fiber, fruits and vegetables and hence she may have diarrhea.
• Bacterial infection caused due to drinking water which is contaminated.
• Some times food poisoning can also lead to diarrhea in pregnant women.

When you need to see a doctor regarding diarrhea in Pregnancy:
If the pregnant woman has abdominal pain in diarrhea.
If having diarrhea for more than 2 days.
If blood comes out of stool in diarrhea.

Diet to be taken by a pregnant woman during diarrhea:
Take plenty of water to hydrate yourself. Drink water mixed with salt and sugar.
Milk and its products should be avoided except Yoghurt.
You can take food items such as Oatmeal, rice and bananas.

Safe diagnostic in Pregnancy:

• Stool test
• Ultrasound of abdomen
• Rectal examination: in rectal examination the Physician examines the anus of the patient for any problems such as hemorrhoids or rectal tumors.
• Abdominal MRI scan: Magnetic resonance imaging of abdomen or MRI abdominal uses radio waves and magnets to get the detailed pictures of the abdomen and is used to find defects in the abdominal area and to find out about whether the abdominal organs are working fine or not.
• Upper endoscopy: Upper endoscopy or esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy as it is also being called is done by physician where he examines the upper part of gastrointestinal tact to find about the defects associated with upper abdomen or if the patient has persistent problem of vomiting.
• ERCP: ERCP is also known as Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography where the physician sees through the endoscope to the stomach to find about tumors and cancers of the stomach including Pancreas.

Non-Safe Diagnostic in Pregnancy:

• HIDA scan: HIDA scan is also known as Hepatobiliary Imino-Diacetic Acid scan which uses nuclear traces to get the images of gallbladder.
• X-ray and CT
• Medicines which are safe to be taken for diarrhea during pregnancy: Loperamide, Pedialyte and Gatorade and antibiotics.