Is this labor related, or just a virus?

Question

This might be TMI, sorry in advance. Please be kind!

I'm 35 weeks pregnant now, and woke this morning with severe diarrhea.

I had been feeling a bit under the weather the last few days, but ate a normal meal last night (steak and veggies-in hindsight, not a wise move) to awake to very bad stomach pains,, bloating and diarrhea this morning.

Also, along with the stomach cramps, I had almost menstrual-like cramping.

Could that have just been related to the diarrhea??

Anyway, I guess my question is is it something to be concerned about, in terms of labor signs, or could it just simply have been a virus?

I'm still not feeling well now, and really dread that the same thing may happen again!

Answer 1

could very well be labour, everything you just described is what i felt the day before labour and during the early stages of labour. drink plenty of water so you dont get dehydrated, try to eat, but if you cant dont force yourself and keep an eye on the tumm cramps - how often they are and how long they last.

Answer 2

It may not be labour per se, but it is quite common for a woman at your stage of pregnancy to experience digestive upsets. This is most likely due to the high levels of hormones (like progesterone and relaxin). These hormones work to relax the smooth muscles of the uterus and pelvic girdle in preparation for labour.

The side effect of this is that this effect is not limited to those areas. So the smooth muscles of your intestines are also having a little stretch, hence the runs. This can come and go or persist for the duration of the pregnancy.

The menstrual style cramps are most likely braxton-hicks contractions.

So yes, it is your body preparing for labour, but not necessarily soon.

Good luck and happy birthing!  

Answer 3

If the cramps start to get worse then it could be labour, or if your lower back starts to feel really funny.  If it is just a constant cramp and not getting any more painful it's just the virus

Answer 4

it might happen again but do not be too scared too eat and you must be pretty small to be able to tell if your stomach is bloated now if your cramps are coming at a constant rate every 5-7 minutes then i would say you might be in labor other than that your body is just trying to help pick a meal i would suggest progresso soup something minus meat but with lots of veggies

Answer 5

You should call your doctor and describe the cramping.  They'll be able to tell you if it's anything to worry about, and also if you can take anything for the diarrhea.  I know when I was pregnant they said I could take immodium, but it's been a few years since I had my kids and I know they change the recommendations every so often.