PEAK WEEK
Week 40 • Third Trimester
Diarrhea (Late Pregnancy) at Week 40
Loose stools common before labor
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Severity This Week: Mild
Loose stools common before labor
💡 Tips for Week 40
- ✓Monitor for contractions
- ✓Normal preparation
📆 Third Trimester Overview
Can occur as labor approaches - body's natural prep
🔍 What Causes Diarrhea (Late Pregnancy) at Week 40?
- •Prostaglandins preparing for labor
- •Body clearing bowels before labor
- •Hormonal changes
- •Cervix releasing prostaglandins
- •Natural labor preparation
✓ Normal Signs
- ✓Loose stools
- ✓Increased frequency
- ✓Mild cramping
- ✓Near due date
⚠ Concerning Signs
- ⚠Severe diarrhea with dehydration
- ⚠With fever
- ⚠With severe pain
- ⚠Bloody stools
- ⚠Food poisoning symptoms
💊 Relief Strategies
- ✓Stay hydrated
- ✓Eat bland foods (BRAT diet)
- ✓Avoid dairy temporarily
- ✓Small, frequent meals
- ✓Monitor for labor signs
- ✓Rest
- ✓Know it can signal labor within days
🏥 When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- ⚠Severe diarrhea with dehydration
- ⚠Fever with diarrhea
- ⚠Bloody stools
- ⚠Severe abdominal pain
- ⚠Signs of food poisoning
- ⚠Diarrhea with other labor signs