Spotting and diarrhoea in early pregnancy

Loose stools may follow a stomach infection, food intolerance, dietary change, or a medicine. Spotting can arise from the cervix or from a pregnancy-related problem, so diarrhoea does not explain away vaginal bleeding. Cramps can occur with bowel upset and can also be a pregnancy warning sign.

Pay attention to fluid loss: thirst, a dry mouth, dark urine, passing urine less often, weakness, or dizziness can suggest dehydration. A clinician may need to consider the pregnancy, infection, and hydration together.

Call your maternity team or clinician to report both symptoms. Tell them when each began, how often you have loose stools, the bleeding colour and amount, and whether you have cramps, fever, vomiting, or urinary symptoms. Sip fluids regularly; oral rehydration advice may be useful if losses continue.

Choose simple foods as tolerated and wash your hands carefully. Use a pad to monitor bleeding. Do not start anti-diarrhoeal medicine, antibiotics, or pain medicine without checking that it is appropriate in pregnancy.

Seek urgent care for heavy or increasing bleeding, clots, severe or one-sided pain, fainting, shoulder-tip pain, fever, confusion, or inability to keep fluids down. Prompt assessment is also needed if you are passing very little urine, feel faint when standing, or the diarrhoea continues with worsening weakness.

Ask whether you need pregnancy assessment, urine or stool testing, or treatment for dehydration. Check which fluids and medicines are suitable, how to monitor bleeding, and exactly where to go if pain or bleeding increases.