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Can Loose Stools During Pregnancy Cause Fetal Harm?
Hi, I was travelling to India and just arrived back to Canada. The last 2 days were all travel and I have been suffering from very loose stools. I am scared and not sure what to do and what effect it can have on my baby. I am 20 weeks pregnant. I have an appt with my gynae in a couple of days but dont want to wait and lose more fluid in the next 2 days. Need Help!
Tue, 20 Oct 2015
Hallow Dear,
Loose motions would not harm your baby so long as you are not dehydrated. If you get dehydrated and land into keto-acidosis, it may pause risk to the baby. So best way is to keep yourself well hydrated. Drinking only water is the most unscientific way of hydrating yourself which does more harm than good. In loose stools, you are loosing water as well as electrolytes. You have to replace both the components. In India, you get many Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packs. Electral is a good preparation. Dissolve one sachet in a litre of boiled and cooled water. After each motion, drink a glassful of this solution. (Please read the instructions on the sachet.) The best way to monitor your hydration is :
1. Have a look at your tongue. It should be wet.
2. Pinch your skin on the back of the hand. It should straiten out immediately and not remain as fold.
3. You must pass sufficient urine through out the day. The urine should not be concentrated and dark coloured.
Get your stools examined. If it is amoebic infection (which is very common in India), you may have to take metronidazole tablets. Bacterial or viral infections usually get washed off and cured.
Please be very selective about the food. Avoid the open food from the street venders. Chat, which is very popular and freely available in India is most of the times source of amoebic infection.
I hope this should help you. If your looses motions do not get controlled within 48 hours or if you start developing any sigs of dehydration, please report to an Obstetrician ASAP.
Loose motions would not harm your baby so long as you are not dehydrated. If you get dehydrated and land into keto-acidosis, it may pause risk to the baby. So best way is to keep yourself well hydrated. Drinking only water is the most unscientific way of hydrating yourself which does more harm than good. In loose stools, you are loosing water as well as electrolytes. You have to replace both the components. In India, you get many Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packs. Electral is a good preparation. Dissolve one sachet in a litre of boiled and cooled water. After each motion, drink a glassful of this solution. (Please read the instructions on the sachet.) The best way to monitor your hydration is :
1. Have a look at your tongue. It should be wet.
2. Pinch your skin on the back of the hand. It should straiten out immediately and not remain as fold.
3. You must pass sufficient urine through out the day. The urine should not be concentrated and dark coloured.
Get your stools examined. If it is amoebic infection (which is very common in India), you may have to take metronidazole tablets. Bacterial or viral infections usually get washed off and cured.
Please be very selective about the food. Avoid the open food from the street venders. Chat, which is very popular and freely available in India is most of the times source of amoebic infection.
I hope this should help you. If your looses motions do not get controlled within 48 hours or if you start developing any sigs of dehydration, please report to an Obstetrician ASAP.
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