Pregnancy Loss Pregnancy Loss Causes and Risk Factors Tummy Troubles During Pregnancy Can diarrhea or constipation cause miscarriage? By Elizabeth Czukas, RN, MSN Elizabeth Czukas, RN, MSN Facebook LinkedIn Elizabeth Czukas is a writer who who has worked as an RN in high-risk obstetrics, antepartum care, and with women undergoing pregnancy loss. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 20, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Family articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and family healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Meredith Shur, MD Medically reviewed by Meredith Shur, MD Meredith Shur, MD, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as a certified medical examiner. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print When you're expecting, it's easy to worry that when you aren't feeling great it may affect your pregnancy or your unborn child. Will a nasty cold make the baby sick too? What about bronchitis, or ear infection? Some women become concerned about diarrhea and constipation, fearing that either might cause a miscarriage. This isn't a far-fetched fear. The cramping associated with diarrhea can feel a lot like the cramping that occurs during a miscarriage. If you have to strain to have a bowel movement, could you push out the baby as well? If you’ve had a baby before, you may remember that pushing at the end of labor uses a lot of the same abdominal muscles. Not only that, the uterus and bowels are both in the same general area of the body. However, the bodily systems that each belong to are completely separate. The reproductive organs function independently from the digestive organs. Illustration by Cindy Chung, Verywell Pregnancy and Your Bathroom Habits Pregnancy can bring about all sorts of changes in your bowels, thanks to changes in your hormones as well as physical shifts that take place as your uterus grows, crowding your internal organs and interfering with how they function; the motility of your bowels; and the way your body uses fluids. So although it's common to become constipated or to develop diarrhea during pregnancy, neither will be a threat to your baby. Even so, you may have to cope with the consequences. Dealing With Diarrhea There are many common causes of diarrhea during pregnancy and it's rarely something to worry about. Usually, diarrhea will subside on its own within a day or two. If it doesn't and you have other symptoms, however, diarrhea can be a sign of infection. Although it doesn’t cause miscarriage, diarrhea can affect a pregnancy. An occasional loose stool can be normal, but if you have any of the following, call your doctor: Diarrhea for more than 3 daysFever of 100.4 F or higherSevere pain in your abdomen or rectumBlood in your stoolBlack, tarry stoolSigns of dehydration, including dark or decreased amounts of urine (or no urine at all); dizziness; dry mouth; a headache; nausea and vomiting; and weakness. If you do have diarrhea, staying hydrated is vital. Get plenty of fluids, but stick to water or sports drinks; some fruit juices and milk can make diarrhea worse. Don’t take any over-the-counter medications for diarrhea without asking your obstetrician or midwife if it's OK. Coping With Constipation Early during pregnancy, most women become constipated at least occasionally. Constipation is rarely dangerous, but it can be very uncomfortable. The best treatment for constipation is prevention. If you are having difficulty with bowel movements or passing hard, dry stools, you should benefit from the following at-home treatments: Drink plenty of fluidsGet more fiber, especially from fruits, vegetables, and whole grainsBe more active. Simply walking can help keep your digestive system moving along As with diarrhea medications, don't take anything for constipation without checking with your caregiver. Constipation that's prolonged and severe often can be relieved with a stool softener or gentle laxative. How to Deal With Painful Gas During Pregnancy Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips delivered to your inbox. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Body C, Christie JA. Gastrointestinal diseases in pregnancy: Nausea, vomiting, hyperemesis gravidarum, gastroesophageal reflux disease, constipation, and diarrhea. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2016;45(2):267-83. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2016.02.005 American Pregnancy Association. Diarrhea During Pregnancy. Trottier M, Erebara A, Bozzo P. Treating constipation during pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2012;58(8):836-8. PMID:22893333