Pregnant women may experience acute diarrhea shortly before going into labor. Diarrhea in pregnancy is often a sign that the baby's arrival is imminent and can be the body's way of preparing for delivery. The process cleans out the bowels to make room for the baby to pass through the birth canal. Women may also experience diarrhea in the days or weeks following childbirth. Experts believe hormone fluctuations cause this side effect, or the body may be reacting to nine months of semi-constipation. Typically, postpartum diarrhea clears up fairly quickly without treatment.

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