Can I Take Immodium for Diarrhea
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
My name is Emilia. I am 7 weeks pregnant and I have had diarrhea off and on for the past week and a half. I am concerned and do not know if it is safe to take any anti-diarrheal medicine like Immodium. What do you suggest? Thank you for considering this question.
ANSWER
We don't usually recommend Immodium during pregnancy, but this is something you should discuss with your provider. Usually, the symptoms resolve fairly soon unless you have an infection or bacteria in your intestines, in which case we WANT you to have diarrhea, so you can get the buggies away from your baby. Sounds terrible, but I hope you understand what I mean. Once the infection clears your system, the baby will be protected and you'll be fine. Good luck!
-- Cynthia, CNM
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Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, teaches in the College of Nursing at Seattle University and is President of the American Association of Birth Centers. She also practices midwifery at Valley Medical Center where she cares for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
Cynthia hosts a monthly "Ask the midwife" chat as well as answers questions via our expert section.
Listen to Cynthia live on Pregnancy.org Live: Before, During and After.
