Should You take Pregnancy Diarrhea Medication?

Pregnancy diarrhea can be uncomfortable, however, no antidiarrhea medications (even those obtained over-the-counter) should be taken without your doctor’s advice.

Increased intestinal motility and consequent diarrhea is the body’s natural way of getting rid of harmful bacteria/toxins. Medicines that slow down intestinal motility can be dangerous. Slowing down motility means the infected material could remain in the intestines for a longer period of time.

Unless there is severe discomfort or the woman is in danger of dehydration, most doctors suggest their patients not use antidiarrheals. The combination of kaolin and pectin (Kaopectate), even though it is safe to take during pregnancy, is not very helpful.

Imodium A-D is a more effective pregnancy diarrhea medication and is reported to be safe to take during pregnancy. Still, it may be better to allow the intestines to rid themselves of bacteria and toxins naturally. Therefore, we have put these two medications in the “yellow light” or caution category.

If your doctor feels that it would be better in your situation to slow down diarrhea, Imodium A-D may be the best choice. Pepto-Bismol contains salicylate (similar to that found in aspirin), which may cause bleeding in mother and/or baby. Bismuth has caused birth defects in experimental animals. While pregnant, do not take either of these medications.

If the Illness Becomes Serious

If you are becoming dehydrated from vomiting and/or pregnancy diarrhea call your doctor. He may choose to rehydrate you with an intravenous solution in the doctor’s office or emergency room.

For more comprehensive information on pregnancy, read The Healthy Pregnancy Book: Month by Month, Everything You Need to Know from America’s Baby Experts