Intermountain Moms Women's Health, Baby Your Baby, Pregnancy, Women and Newborn

Last Updated: 5/21/2021

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• Intermountain Moms

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Indigestion, constipation, flatulence, heartburn

During the period of gestation, the vast majority of expectant mothers are faced with violations of the digestive organs. This is explained by the fact that during pregnancy all the forces of the body are aimed at maintaining the fetus, and the body itself is experiencing serious overload. Therefore, the work of the stomach can be disturbed. During pregnancy, in no case should you neglect your ailments and you should visit the consultations of a gastroenterologist in a timely manner.

Indigestion and discomfort can develop under the influence of various factors. But usually they overtake as a result of an illiterate diet, diet, an increase in acidity, the development of pathogenic microflora or an exacerbation of chronic ailments.

The expectant mother must understand that if she feels bad, then the fetus will definitely suffer. Malfunctions in digestion can provoke abnormal or inhibited development, premature birth, spontaneous abortion. If you experience frequent belching, sour taste, heartburn, or signs of poor stomach function, you should immediately visit a doctor. The examination will provide an opportunity to find the cause of the ailments. The doctor will prescribe drugs that are harmless to the fetus, which will help alleviate the condition of the mother.

Heartburn is one of the most common disorders of the stomach during pregnancy. It manifests itself in a burning sensation in the stomach. Heartburn develops with an increase in acidity, as well as splashing out the contents of the stomach into the esophagus. The inner lining of the esophagus is irritated and the woman experiences discomfort. Heartburn should not be considered a disease - it is just a sign of some disorder in the body. Eight out of ten pregnant women experience this unpleasant phenomenon.

Causes of heartburn

The reason for this, in the first place, is the relaxation of the abdominal muscles, which is provided by a high level of progesterone. The volume of the uterus does not allow the valve to close completely, which protects the esophagus from spilling semi-digested food masses into it. In addition, most expectant mothers constantly "allow themselves too much", overeating, eating foods that increase acid production.

It is interesting that the appearance of heartburn during pregnancy is usually combined with a deterioration in the emotional state, belching, pain behind the sternum. In addition, this phenomenon can cause other ailments of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, if heartburn occurs, you should consult a doctor. This will help prevent possible complications.

Indigestion during pregnancy is usually due to the lack of a meal schedule, as well as the use of inappropriate foods. If digestion is disordered, the whole organism suffers. If abdominal pain, diarrhea and heartburn are the result of a single food poisoning, then they are not dangerous for the course of pregnancy. However, if these unpleasant phenomena are frequent, you should definitely visit a doctor. Indeed, with improper digestion, the body does not receive enough calories, proteins, fats, vitamins and carbohydrates, that is, it experiences a kind of starvation, and the body of the unborn child suffers along with the mother's body.

Prevention

To be honest, no tricks will help one hundred percent prevent heartburn, as well as other minor digestive disorders. They are an unpleasant addition to the joys of motherhood. But you can try to reduce their manifestations. For this:

• try not to overeat,
• eat more often, but reduce the single portion,
• grind food very well in your mouth,
• choose a comfortable wardrobe so that the stomach is not squeezed by rubber bands, belts or tight belts,
• try not to smoke, fast food, fried foods, alcohol, coffee;

Flatulence is called an excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines. This problem occurs in almost all women during pregnancy. Flatulence in pregnant women is an urgent issue due to the fact that it causes a lot of trouble and embarrassing moments for a woman who is expecting a baby. As a result of bloating, there is a feeling of fullness, rumbling and belching.

Causes of flatulence

The causes of flatulence in pregnant women are varied. There are specific factors for its appearance that occur during pregnancy. These include a change in the hormonal status in a woman's body and a change in the position of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity.

So, from the moment of fertilization (conception) in the body, the production of the pregnancy hormone (progesterone) increases, which helps to relax the muscles of the uterus. But, unfortunately, its action is not selective: under the influence of progesterone, the muscles of the stomach and intestines also relax. This contributes to the violation of intestinal motility (wave-like movement of the intestinal walls). As a result, there is a delay in bowel emptying and an increase in fermentation processes, which leads to increased gas formation and the development of flatulence.

In the second and third trimester, the development of flatulence in pregnant women is additionally promoted by an enlarged uterus. It compresses the intestines and exacerbates the problems described above, which usually already exist by this time.

Of course, it is impossible not to note the effect of factors not related to pregnancy. These include functional bowel disorders (dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome), as well as organic diseases of the digestive system (gastritis, chronic colitis).

Symptoms

The main symptom of flatulence is bloating and pain in the abdomen. The pain is often cramping, it disappears after the discharge of gases, which occurs frequently during flatulence, more than 20 times a day. Flatulence in pregnant women may be accompanied by belching, hiccups, headaches, bad breath. This condition is dangerous because it can provoke an increase in the tone of the uterus and stimulate its contractions, which in turn can lead to the development of a threat of miscarriage.

Treatment and prevention

Following a few simple rules for eating will help reduce the risk of flatulence during pregnancy. In no case should you eat while standing or on the move, hastily eating, as in this case the swallowing of air increases, which creates an "air pocket" in the intestines, and is accompanied by characteristic pain.

It is necessary to exclude foods that cause flatulence, because the most affordable, simple and safe method of dealing with flatulence for a pregnant woman is to adjust the diet. From the diet, you need to remove foods that contribute to increased gas formation in the intestines (legumes, black bread, raw vegetables and fruits, whole milk, sweet, fried, spicy). It is recommended to use lactic acid products, stewed or baked vegetables.

Physical activity stimulates the intestines well: daily walks lasting at least 1 hour will help in the fight against flatulence. You can do self-massage of the abdomen - light strokes clockwise. Decoctions (teas) of medicinal herbs are also popular: chamomile, dill, mint, lemon balm and others.

But, unfortunately, with severe flatulence and in the presence of concomitant pathologies, it is often necessary to resort to the help of drugs.

Among the typical problems that pregnant women face is difficulty with bowel movements (in other words, constipation). Two-thirds of women complain of constipation during pregnancy and one in three after childbirth.

Causes:

• During pregnancy, especially in the second half, the intestines are compressed by the enlarging uterus. This leads to a violation of the outflow of blood and the occurrence of venous stasis in the vessels of the small pelvis. As a result, hemorrhoids can develop - an expansion of the veins of the rectum and, as a result, constipation.
• The human body produces special substances that stimulate intestinal contractions. During pregnancy, the susceptibility of the intestinal musculature to such stimulants is significantly reduced. Nature disposed very reasonably - after all, the intestines and the uterus have a common innervation, so any excessive activation of intestinal motility can stimulate the contractile activity of the uterus, causing a threat of abortion. Unfortunately, this positive defensive reaction also has undesirable consequences - constipation.
• The development of constipation is facilitated by hormonal changes that occur in pregnant women. In particular, the digestive process slows down under the influence of the pregnancy hormone, progesterone.
• It is no secret that pregnant women are often emotionally unstable, stressed, and suffer from unfounded fears. Modern medicine has come to the conclusion that constipation in general and - in particular - constipation in pregnant women are often caused by stress and other psychological factors. In the postpartum period, women are less likely to suffer from constipation - perhaps because their psycho-emotional state after childbirth improves quickly and significantly.
• Allergic and autoimmune processes also play a certain role in the development of constipation.

Symptoms

Constipation is the absence of a bowel movement for three days or more. In pregnant women, constipation may be accompanied by a feeling of incomplete release, pain in the abdomen (often in the left half). With hemorrhoids, streaks of blood may be present in the stool. Some women, along with abdominal pain, feel a burning sensation in the rectum and itching in the anus. With constipation, nausea, bitterness in the mouth, bloating, rumbling in the stomach can also disturb.

Treatment

Diet helps to cope with constipation. The intestines should receive as much fiber as possible. It is not digested, but only swells, increasing the volume of feces and promoting bowel movements. Therefore, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, beets, zucchini, pumpkin, apples, as well as wholemeal bread and dried fruits should be included in the diet. Often, fermented milk products give a good laxative effect: kefir, curdled milk, as well as kvass, sour cabbage soup. Vegetable fats are useful: when split, they form fatty acids that stimulate peristalsis.

Prunes are best used as an infusion: pour 100 g of fruits with two cups of boiling water, add a little sugar, cover with a lid and leave for 10-12 hours. It is better to do it in the evening. The next day, they drink half a glass of infusion before meals, and eat plums. Another remedy for constipation is to drink a glass of cold water on an empty stomach. You can add a spoonful of honey to it.

You should not get carried away with strong tea, black coffee, cocoa, chocolate, white bread, flour and mucous soups, semolina, blueberries. All these products, as well as dry food, have a fixing effect.

With severe bloating, it is allowed to take infusions of chamomile flowers, mint leaves, caraway seeds, dill, and carbolen (activated charcoal). But only in the amounts recommended by the doctor.

You should also try not to stand for a long time, not to lift weights, to do gymnastics to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor. By the way, exercise will help increase intestinal motility.

How not to treat constipation during pregnancy?

Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment (novocaine electrophoresis, inductothermy, electrical stimulation, diadynamic currents, sinusoidal modulated currents), often used for constipation, are contraindicated for pregnant women: there is a great danger of stimulating the contractile activity of the uterus, sensitizing the body (i.e. increasing its sensitivity to various stimuli), adverse effects on the fetus.

It is undesirable to take laxatives because of the possible termination of pregnancy. This applies not only to such potent drugs as magnesium sulfate, Karlovy Vary salt, castor oil, but also to weaker ones - buckthorn bark, rhubarb, joster fruits, senna leaves. Cafeol, besacodyl drugs cause cramping pain in the abdomen, frequent loose stools. Therefore, it is better to avoid laxatives, limiting yourself to foods rich in fiber.

The following facts will help you understand the use of osteopathy as a remedy for the above problems during pregnancy. Osteopathic treatment is carried out only in cases where the presence of other serious diseases is excluded. The lower part of the intestine receives signals through the nerves from the lower segments of the spinal cord. Signaling can be affected by deformities and problems in the lumbar spine. Thus, a problem with the disc can lead to a complete cessation of bowel movement, paralysis of the legs, as well as urinary retention. In the event of a violation in the mechanics of the spine, intestinal mobility may be impaired. However, it does not cause serious complications associated with nervous activity. Such disorders can lead to degradation of the joints and discs, stiffness in the spine and pelvic region, severe tension in the joints, accompanied by swelling. Osteopathic treatment is suitable for correcting the above conditions.

Osteopathy seeks to reduce tension in the pelvis and lower spine. The goal of treatment is not only to relieve bone and muscle pain, but also to improve bowel movement. The treatment theory also advocates meeting the need for exercise for all those who suffer from problems related to the mechanics of the pelvis and lumbar.

For the treatment of some forms of constipation, direct action on the intestines can be used. Osteopathic techniques are commonly used on the hepatic flexure, the sigmoid colon, the splenic flexure of the colon, and the iliocecal valve.

toxemia, bowel problems and heartburn

Find out how pregnancy affects the digestive tract, which trimesters are more likely to cause symptoms of indigestion and nausea, and what to do to manage them.

During pregnancy, the burden on the mother's body increases. The body needs more nutrients, the body produces additional hormones. And the growing fetus puts pressure on neighboring organs, including the stomach and intestines. We tell you what symptoms are observed in each trimester, how to cope with toxicosis and get rid of heartburn.

Contents:

• 2. Toxicosis and pregnancy
• 3. Causes, risks and treatment of diarrhea during pregnancy
• 4. Heartburn and stomach pain during pregnancy
• 5. Bloating, constipation and microbiota during pregnancy
• 6. Note

Changes in the work of the gastrointestinal tract by trimesters of pregnancy

The average duration of pregnancy is 40 weeks, which are usually divided into trimesters in accordance with the stages of intrauterine development of the child.

Each trimester is accompanied by a number of changes in the body, including in the gastrointestinal tract:

The Atlas genetic test will help you find out how your genes affect the level of female sex hormones necessary for fertility and pregnancy.

Causes of gastrointestinal problems during pregnancy

Every pregnancy is accompanied by inevitable changes in the functioning of the digestive system. They are more often caused by hormonal changes and increased stress on the organs, but they can also be associated with lifestyle and health conditions, for example:

• Sedentary lifestyle and unbalanced diet;
• Certain drugs, including calcium or aluminum antacids;
• Viral and bacterial infections;
• Intolerance to certain nutrients and allergic reactions;
• Stress;
• Diseases of the thyroid gland.

If you have chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and you are planning a pregnancy, try to consult your doctor in advance. Symptoms of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or acid reflux are more likely to get worse during pregnancy. Your doctor will help prepare your body and create a prevention plan to help relieve symptoms during this time.

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a functional bowel disease that causes frequent abdominal pain, impaired peristalsis, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.

Morning sickness, vomiting and general malaise during pregnancy

Morning sickness and morning sickness during early pregnancy are common, because the body undergoes important changes necessary for the development of the child.

up to 90%

women experience nausea during pregnancy

Doctors find it difficult to say with certainty why pregnant women feel sick in the morning. The main theory is hormonal changes. But there are some patterns associated with an increased risk of morning sickness:

• Multiple pregnancy;
• Toxicosis during previous pregnancy;
• History of morning sickness during pregnancy in close relatives;
• Tendency to motion sickness in transport;
• Use of oral contraceptives containing estrogen before pregnancy;
• Frequent migraines;
• BMI 30 and above;
• Elevated levels of stress hormones

Risks of severe morning sickness and how to reduce nausea

Nausea and vomiting are usually not associated with a risk for mother and child and disappear by 16-20 weeks of pregnancy, but it is not necessary to wait so long - there are ways that can help reduce nausea and enjoy the process of waiting for a new person:

• Get plenty of rest - fatigue increases toxicosis;
• Avoid smells and foods that cause nausea;
• Eat something right after waking up. A toast or a slice of bread will help reduce nausea;
• Avoid hunger - empty stomach increases nausea. Eat small meals often, prefer low-fat, high-carbohydrate foods;
• Try ginger - studies show it helps with nausea;
• Sip as often as possible and prefer still water.

In rare cases, pregnant women may develop hyperemesis gestationis or excessive vomiting. This is a serious condition that can lead to dehydration, kidney damage, seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, and even death.

Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, dizziness, dark urine, infrequent urination and/or dizziness.

Symptoms of excessive pregnancy vomiting:

• frequent nausea for a long time and regular vomiting after meals;
• dry skin and lips;
• sudden weight loss;
• low blood pressure (below 90/60).

If symptoms of excessive pregnancy vomiting occur, do not wait until the condition resolves on its own. It is necessary to seek medical help as soon as possible - the doctor will prescribe treatment, help adjust the diet and lifestyle of the expectant mother.

0.5–2%

pregnant women experience excessive vomiting

Diarrhea in pregnancy

The word "diarrhea" comes from the Greek language and literally means "to flow through". This is a condition during which bowel movements or bowel movements occur three times a day or more often. This phenomenon is especially typical for the third trimester of pregnancy, but it can also occur earlier.

Symptoms of diarrhea:

• Three or more bowel movements per day
• Urgent urge to have a bowel movement
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Bloating

Causes of diarrhea during pregnancy poisoning, dysbacteriosis, bacterial and viral infections: