Digestive Problems with Pregnancy
As pregnancy advances, the stomach and intestines are displaced by the growing uterus. Progesterone, which is made in abundance by the placenta during pregnancy, relaxes smooth muscles, including those within the digestive tract. The relaxed tone of the gastrointestinal tract in turn causes slower emptying of the stomach contents into the intestines and a prolonged movement of those contents through the intestines.
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History
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During the Victorian era, pregnant women were encouraged to eat "cooling" foods such as fruits and vegetables, and were advised against eating foods thought to have "heating" properties, such as spices, meats, eggs, coffee, tea and alcohol. If a pregnant woman were to experience nausea or morning sickness, it was believed that the condition resulted from engaging in sexual relations during the pregnancy. She was advised to drink peppermint tea to alleviate nausea. Remedies for constipation included adding a teaspoon of honey to tea or using suppositories made from Castile soap and oil of caraway. Heartburn and flatulence were mainly attributed to lack of sufficient exercise (housework), drinking insufficient quantities of water and an overindulgence of butter and other rich foods, particularly before going to bed.
Function
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Because of the relaxation and slower movement of the intestinal muscles during pregnancy, the entire digestive system will be slower, which will manifest in many different ways. In the first trimester, you might experience morning sickness and queasiness when you smell certain foods. These symptoms might be your body's way of alerting you to avoid those foods because digesting them may place excessive stress on your system.
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Significance
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If you are bothered by nausea, morning sickness or constipation, you may decide to ask your doctor or nutritionist to suggest diet changes for you. It is possible that stomach upset or sluggish bowels might be partly caused by eating the wrong foods or from not eating enough of other foods. Snacking on dry crackers between meals may help with queasiness and nausea, and eating small meals frequently throughout the day may also bring you some relief. Constipation may be remedied by making sure your diet includes high-fiber breads and cereals as well as fruits and vegetables. It is also important to drink plenty of water every day and to get some form of exercise.
Features
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The slower movement of food contents through the digestive system in addition to the overcrowding of organs in the abdominal cavity may cause a bloated feeling, burping and flatulence. This bloated sensation may increase in the later trimesters of pregnancy as the uterus expands, leaving even less room for the stomach. If you feel bloated, it may help to reduce your intake of fatty foods and to drink liquids between meals instead of with meals.
Effects of Slower Digestion
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Food is partially digested in the stomach, and then passes to the small intestine where enzymes assist in much of the digestive process before the contents move to the large intestine. As bacteria in the large intestine take over the job of breaking down the undigested food, fermentation occurs. This, in turn, produces gas or flatulence. The foods most likely to cause flatulence for some people are dairy products in those who are lactose intolerant, and carbohydrate-containing foods, including apples, beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, onions, chocolate, coffee, tea, citrus drinks and carbonated beverages.
Heartburn Relief
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Heartburn is another problem that you might experience during pregnancy. As pregnancy hormones have the effect of relaxing and weakening the muscles of the esophageal sphincter valve, stomach acids sometimes back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn. Heartburn is usually felt at the bottom of the breastbone, extending up to the base of the throat. Chewing gum may provide some relief due to saliva's neutralizing effect on stomach acids. To relieve heartburn at bedtime, you might try elevating your upper torso with a very firm six- to eight-inch foam wedge pregnancy pillow.
Considerations
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Women with O+ type blood, the most common type in the United States, according to Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo in his book, "Eat Right For Your Baby," produce naturally high levels of stomach acid. By controlling the excess stomach acid, the symptoms of heartburn, morning sickness and nausea might be alleviated. He recommends a first-trimester diet rich in lean protein--particularly beef and venison--as well as specific foods containing calcium, iron and folic acid.
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Resources
- Photo Credit ilikelemons, Mashael Al- Shuwayer, Torrie, Maya the Bee, PhilipShannon from Flickr.com
