Table of Contents
Watery diarrhea before labor is one of the many early signs of labor. Loose bowel movements that you experience close to or before going into labor are known as pre-labor diarrhea.
But what causes these early signs of labor? Is it normal to experience diarrhea as a sign of labor? Does it happen days or even weeks before going into labor or vice versa? How can you prevent it? When must you call your doctor?
If you have questions like this arising in your mind, you have arrived at the correct place. Parenthood bliss has curated this article just for you to help find answers to all these questions.
All you need to do is continue reading!
What are The Causes of Diarrhea Before Labor or Other Signs? Does It Take Place Days or Weeks Prior, Or Vice Versa?
According to Obstetrics and Gynecology, many women experience diarrhea, which is caused by the changes in the hormones in women during their pregnancy. These changes, as per the medical center, help prepare the body to go into labor, by causing the muscles of the uterus, cervix, and rectum to loosen, resulting in contractions.
Also, as the experts like to view it, this emptying of the bowels is perhaps a way of nature, indicating the body makes room for the baby while the delivery takes place.
As per the time of diarrhea is concerned, this results when the baby moves lower in the cervix leading you to get or feel pressure in the pelvic area. The mother-to-be then faces symptoms like backaches and experiences a need to urinate more often.
These loose bowel movements might take place 24–48 hours before you deliver the baby, the energy spurt experienced is called nesting. Make sure you stay hydrated and rested and keep an eye out for any other symptoms or signs of labor.
If you have diarrhea before labor combined with severe stomach aches and/or fever for more than two days, you must get it checked by your OB-GYN asap.
What are the Things You Must Know About Vomiting and Diarrhea Before Labor and What Can You Do About It?
In regards to the information on diarrhea, it is the most common and normal part a woman may experience before her labor begins. Therefore, one must take things as they come and go with the flow. This could be quite uncomfortable but have in mind that you are almost nearing the time you have waited for all three trimesters.
Here are a few brownie points or tips for pregnant women to follow when experiencing pre-labor diarrhea:
- Always stay hydrated: Consuming water in regular doses during this time is essential and is sure your best pal, while you are facing cramps in the vagina.
- Take care and consume light food: Make sure to eat light but enough to contain all nutrients through the different ingredients to maintain your strength. These foods include chicken broth, toast, jam, or a fruit pop that is easy to digest. Also, avoid fatty – meat, dairy products, and anything that is fried, protein-rich meats, bran muffins, or acidic orange fruit.
- Maintain sanity: It is understandable that as you get close to your delivery, there might be many incidents that make you feel like or come across as false labor, but keeping sanity through it all is the key to a healthy delivery. Also, visit the bathroom as and when needed.
Therefore, diarrhea close to the due date could perhaps be one of the signs of labor, as well as, an indicator of the much-awaited day! So, get ready with your baby registry and the delivery gowns, and start preparing to welcome the little one as a part of the family!
Other Signs of Labor
The other signs of labor other than diarrhea include:
- Cramps like menstrual or monthly cycles
- Heartburn
- Lower back pain
- A warm sensation in the abdomen
- Mucus plug
- Bloody show
- Baby “drops”
- Cervix dilates
- Loose-feeling joints
- The weight gain halts
- Fatigue
- Nesting instinct
- The change in color of the vaginal discharge
- Contractions
- You feel like the baby has dropped
A Final Word on Diarrhea Before Labor
Experiencing diarrhea before labor is a common sign of labor that many pregnant women go through. So, you need not worry and stress about it but prepare for welcoming the much-awaited family member. To know more about the health conditions reviewed by the health care provider and the other signs of labor for you to look forward to, refer to the article above.
