What Can Cause Vomiting and Diarrhea During Pregnancy?

Family Medicine, University of California San Diego Health System

Supervised by Garrett Kneese, MD, MPH

Vomiting and diarrhea during pregnancy can be caused by common infections, food poisoning, or pregnancy-related conditions like hyperemesis gravidarum. It’s important to contact your healthcare provider if symptoms become severe or lead to dehydration.

Explanation

During pregnancy, your body goes through many changes, and sometimes you might get vomiting and diarrhea. Blood in either stool or vomit should prompt a visit with a doctor urgently. One common cause is a stomach bug or food poisoning from bacteria or a virus. In some cases, severe nausea and vomiting, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, can happen. This is more than just morning sickness, and it may also be linked with diarrhea and dehydration. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also make your stomach more sensitive and upset. It is important to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and try to eat small, bland meals if you feel up to it. However, if you start to feel weak, dizzy, or if you are not peeing much, these could be signs of dehydration. In these situations, or if your symptoms continue for a long time, you should call your doctor or healthcare provider right away. They can check you and your baby, give you the right advice, and help you feel better.

(References)

Einarson A, Maltepe C, Boskovic R, Koren G. Treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: an updated algorithm. Can Fam Physician. 2007 Dec;53(12):2109-11. Erratum in: Can Fam Physician. 2019 Jan;65(1):8. PMID: 18077743; PMCID: PMC2231543.
Body C, Christie JA. Gastrointestinal Diseases in Pregnancy: Nausea, Vomiting, Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Constipation, and Diarrhea. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2016 Jun;45(2):267-83. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2016.02.005. PMID: 27261898.
Gomes CF, Sousa M, Lourenço I, Martins D, Torres J. Gastrointestinal diseases during pregnancy: what does the gastroenterologist need to know? Ann Gastroenterol. 2018 Jul-Aug;31(4):385-394. doi: 10.20524/aog.2018.0264. Epub 2018 Apr 27. PMID: 29991883; PMCID: PMC6033757.

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