Pregnancy is diverse for every single woman. Some women observe fatigue, others get devastating nausea, and others get leg cramps or sleeplessness. There are hormonal variations during pregnancy which brings changes in the digestive system causing annoying discomforts.
Types of Digestive Issues at the time of Pregnancy
- Nausea and vomiting – Nausea happens in 91% of pregnant women in the first trimester typically in the first 6 to 8 weeks, and often go along with vomiting. On the other hand, it becomes severe and requires treatment to manage.
- Diarrhea – Diarrhea is a common illness during pregnancy that causes watery stools. It is generally caused by viruses or bacteria but also caused by certain medications. Indications connected with diarrhea include:
- Abdominal contractions or pain
- Swelling
- Nausea
- Mild fever
- Constipation – Constipation is a common concern in pregnancy digestive system having an irregular bowel movement, strain in having bowel movements, or forced actions to pass bowel. As your baby develops the burden from the expanding uterus on the rectum and lower part of the intestine results in constipation. It may get worse by high intensities of progesterone which slows the muscle narrowing in the intestine. Some of the signs of constipation contain:
- Unsmooth, small or hard stools
- Sprain in bowel activities
- A feeling of obstruction preventing bowel movements
- Unable to empty the bowel
- Swelling in the stomach, or stomach pain
Reasons for disturbances in the digestive system during pregnancy
- Alterations in hormones
- Obesity
- Certain medications
- Poor diet
- Thyroid disorders
- Physical internal fluctuations as the uterus grow
- Lack of exercise or activity
- Stress
- Viral or bacterial infection
- Food intolerance or allergy
Useful tips to tackle gastrointestinal issues in pregnancy
- Eat healthy food: The quality and quantity of food intake help to manage or relieve your digestive system. Conditional to the issue, there is an increase in the amount of fiber in the diet, shun sugary and processed foods, or bound the amount of caffeine and dairy in the food intake. Seek a good nourishment chart from the doctor.
- Drink lots of liquids: Escalate the amount of liquid foods take in counting water, fruit juice and clear soups. Having lots of fluids helps in good digestion and keep the GI tract running on a regular basis. Drinking fluids cures dehydration that avoids any additional health issues
- Exercise: Consistent exercise enhances blood circulation and carries more oxygen to organs, together with the bowels to help them move efficiently and easily. Aim for at least 30 minutes of mild exercise. Consult with the doctor to know the best workouts that are safe and suitable for the pregnant woman.
- Medication: If the GI indications are severe, frequently occurring, or uncontrollable with lifestyle alteration, the doctor prescribes medicine which contains antacids, digestive system medicine, antidiarrheal, GI tonics, and antiemetic, etc. The doctor prescribes the harmless medication at the most applicable dosage.
- Eat minor meals that are full of nutrient.
- Eat slowly and chew your food fine
- Wear free fitting clothes
- Be upright after the meals. Don’t go to bed immediately after eating!