Diarrhea scare...

[enigma]

Im almost at 12weeks, hoping to return to Oz soon , but Ive been overseas for awhile ( the last 7 months ) . The doctors here arent exactly the most helpful , ive got a real bad case of diarrhea , on and off since the beginning of the pregnancy, the doctor told me that it could cause a miscarriage and gave me some kind of medicine that does nothing. Since its another 3 weeks until im back in Perth and can see a normal doctor - can someone tell me if its really that dangerous? anyone else have the same?
Thanks

[Alan]

Hi Enigma

Yes diarrhoea can cause miscarrage.
It depends somewhat on the cause of the diarrhoea and how bad the diarrhoea is.
A lot of the medications used to prevent diarrhoea can also be dangerous in pregnancy. Here is some ideas that may help.

Drink lots of boiled or bottled water to ensure that you do not dehydrate.
If you can buy Panadine take 2 tabs every 6 hours. DO NOT take more than 8 in 24 hours.
Bananas can help to stop the diarrhoea.
Go and see another doctor.


Alan (Midwife)

[mac29]

OMG i have had bad diahorea for the past 3 days and was oblivious to the fact it can cause miscarriage. I saw the doc for it last week as it seems to be a regular thing with me lately and he gave me panadeine forte to stop both the diahorea and the cramping and it does work very well and is apparently completely safe during pregnancy. i think if it continues another day or so im gunna head to my specialist and have bubs checked just to make sure everything is ok.
Im a lil scared now
Have a great day
Mel

[Kirsty77]

I to didn't know diahores can cause miscarriage.Thats really scary!

[Bec]

Ive had this too. I had no idea is can cause m/carriage that is so scary.

I had it before a while back and I never told my Ob, cos I just thought it was normal???

I had it on and off last week but now I am ok.

Ive also had trouble drinking lots of water.

I think I will tell my Ob when I see him on the 13th December.

Bec

[Alan]

Hey Girls

Please don't panic.!!!

For diarrhoea to be a problem in pregnancy it needs to be bad and to go on for a few days. Also what causes the diarrhoea needs to be considered.
A big problem with dairrhoes is dehydration. If the diarrhoea only lasts for a few days it should not be a problem.

[Jacci PG]

God - I didn't know about the diahrea (sp?) also how scary!!!! but i haven't had it yet!!!
Enigma - hope yours goes soon

[Kirsty77]

Phew thanks Alan!

[Fee]

I was doing some research on this and have found many conflicting stories (saying it doesn't cause miscarriage) so I'm a bit confused.

I often suffer from it due to IBS.

[mac29]

keeping up my fluids hasnt been a prob because im constantly thirsty.


Alan i have a question for you... my ankles swell daily not to the point of being too painful yet and im keeping them elevated on a table and a cushion when they do swell (im an AIN but new to the trade and used to see swollen oldies in nursing homes so i know to keep comphy and elevated) is it caused by fluid retention? should i drink a little less water during the day to reduce it?? i drink about 4 litres of water a day probably a little extreme but i just cant get enough lol
Thanks for all your help
have a great day
Mel

[Alan]

Mel
The thing that you should cut dwn is salt.
You could cut down to 3 Liters a day but try the salt thing first.
In your job it would be difficult to stay off your feet but whenever you can it would be good to not only to keep your feet elivated but also exercise your ankles, feet, toes by moving/wriggling them when you are resting.

[Excited]

Wow I had no idea about this. I have learnt so much on here in the last couple of days. Maybe too much. :-k

[Jennifer13]

Hi there

I had a stomach bug for a few days at around 18 weeks and the cramps were so bad I got concerned. Only cramping and diarrhoea. I called the ob who said if it didn't stop after 24 hrs to go and see him. Well, it kind of stopped, but then came back, so I took it easy for another day or two and it disappeared entirely. Was very scary, but I'm assuming just a virus.

I lost some weight having this for a few days though, when I went to my normal ob appt the next week I was lighter than I had been 4 weeks before. I'm hoping it doesn't happen again!

Hope everything is okay for you both, Enigma and Mel.

[Fee]

Hey Girls

Please don't panic.!!!

For diarrhoea to be a problem in pregnancy it needs to be bad and to go on for a few days. Also what causes the diarrhoea needs to be considered.
A big problem with dairrhoes is dehydration. If the diarrhoea only lasts for a few days it should not be a problem.

So it's probably more a problem is the diarrhea is caused by a bug or something? I had diarrhea about 6 times over the weekend … I think due to my IBS and just something I ate not agreeing with me (too much sugar). I'm better today. I hope everything is okay? Should I be worried?

[Fee]

I just rang my OB's office and I got to speak to a midwife. She said that diarrhea does not cause miscarriage. Well she said it can have an effect - but it does depend whether it's a good pregnancy or a bad one. If it's good then the diarrhea is not going to make a difference. She said it could just be the pregnancy hormones triggering the diarrhea even. She said they kick in around 8 or 9 weeks. She told me to take some Slippery Elm if I need to (I've heard of this before - good for bowel probs). She said something about cramping and how it just affects the bowel and the uterus which is just near each other. So she said I should be totally fine.