Green Poop While Pregnant? What to Know

Let’s get the scoop on green poop while pregnant.

You’re nauseated, emotional, and constantly needing to pee — and now you’ve dropped an alien-looking poop.

Yep, pregnancy can certainly come with some interesting symptoms.

But is green poop while pregnant something to worry about?

The good news is, probably not.

We’ll take you through the ins and outs.

In this article 📝

What does green poop during pregnancy mean?

Well, it can mean a few things — most of which are totally harmless.

Green poop can result from something you’ve eaten, or your food moving through your system too quickly.

Sometimes, it may signal a health condition that may need medical attention.

Common reasons our poop can turn green?

Food containing chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll is a natural ingredient in many green fruits and vegetables that give them their color.

While consuming chlorophyll in small amounts may not influence your poop color, in large quantities it might.

Many green foods are great for your health.

They are packed with important vitamins, including A, C, B, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and potassium.

So, if they do a little poop redecorating, it’s totally worth it. Some options:

• Kale
  
• Spinach
  
• Broccoli
  
• Swiss chard
  
• Bok choy
  
• Green beans
  
• Avocado
  
• Green apples
  
• Kiwi

Blue or purple food

Okay, this one may seem counterintuitive, but blue and purple foods can also turn your poop green.

When these colours mix with the yellow bile our body produces, it results in a green-like pigment which can give your poop a lovely green hue.

Blueberries and grapes can do it.

Food that has been synthetically dyed

If you’ve consumed a colorful cake at a kid’s party, that may be the reason for your green poop.

Green, purple, red, and blue food dyes can all come out green on the other end. Some other options?

• Drinks containing coloring
  
• Icing
  
• Licorice
  
• Candy and packaged fruit snacks

Iron supplements

If you notice dark green poop while pregnant, it may be a result of taking iron supplements.

As this study explains, if you have anemia, iron supplements are particularly important during pregnancy — and dark green poop (that can look black) is a small price to pay.

(Oh, and if you’re wondering — if you have normal iron levels, you can get the iron you need from your diet. No need for supplements.)

Antibiotics

While some types of antibiotics can be risky during pregnancy, others can be important for fighting infection.

Antibiotics change up the ecosystem of bacteria in our gut and, as a result, might do some design work on your poop.

What about green diarrhea during pregnancy?

To answer this question, we’ll explore the crucial connections between bile and your poop.

Bile is a fluid made by your liver and stored in your gallbladder. It helps you digest fat.

As bile moves through your digestive system, it is altered by digestive enzymes.

On its journey, it changes from green to brown.

If your poop moves through your system too quickly, bile may not be able to perform its major transformation and, as a result, will come out green in your poop.

So why might this happen? Coffee and spicy foods can do it. If you’ve had your gallbladder removed, that could also do it.

But there are other reasons.

Is green poop a sign of pregnancy?

Green poop early pregnancy can be connected to hormone changes.

One pregnancy symptom that you may experience in your first trimester is diarrhea.

While not as common as other early symptoms, it can happen.

That’s because pregnancy hormones can cause your digestive system to work a little differently.

So if you’re having green diarrhea during pregnancy, it may be because of those hormones. (You might also be a little more sensitive to certain foods than usual.)

But there are times when green poop can signal an infection or health condition.

When should you be concerned about green poop while pregnant?

Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection can lead to changes in your poop.

Food poisoning can also be a culprit — something which can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s important to get to your healthcare provider.

• Diarrhea that doesn’t clear up on its own within a day or two. This can put you at risk of dehydration. (Here’s how to keep hydrated during pregnancy.)
  
• Severe abdominal cramping
  
• Fever
  
• Nausea and vomiting
  
• Bloody stools that go on for a few days. (A little blood in your stool can be a result of hemorrhoids, but if it keeps going, check in with your doctor.)

And if you feel like checking in about your poop — or anything else pregnancy-related — join us on Peanut.

You don’t have to do this alone.