Gastric complaints during Pregnancy – How to deal with them?

Gastric discomfort is one of the common concerns during pregnancy. Gastric problems can range from mild discomfort to painful cramps in the abdomen. These can be attributed to hormonal changes during pregnancy and diet. In addition, some women may already have gastrointestinal (GI) conditions that can deteriorate during pregnancy and may need specific attention.

Why does pregnancy cause gastric discomfort?

Nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, bloating, and constipation are common issues during pregnancy. 

Your body naturally creates more progesterone (a hormone that helps sustain pregnancy) when you are pregnant to help develop your unborn child. Unfortunately, these elevated hormone levels also relax all the muscles in your body, including the intestinal muscles. As a result, digestion becomes slower. That makes gas accumulation easier and more challenging to control gas release.

After the first trimester, the growing uterus and baby encroach on your abdominal space. This can hinder digestion, put pressure on your stomach, and make you feel even more bloated after eating. Thus, even if you’ve never known about bloating, you might do so during pregnancy.

Are Some Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Issues During Pregnancy?

The following are some of the most common gastrointestinal issues.

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are the common symptoms moms go through in the first three months of pregnancy. These begin before the ninth week of pregnancy and end by week fourteen. Pregnancy hormones like human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) cause nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Excessive nausea and vomiting with electrolyte imbalance is the symptom of hyperemesis gravidarum. It develops early in the first trimester of pregnancy. Numerous symptoms of this condition can harm your health in pregnancy. In addition, it may require medical attention.

The symptoms can include vomiting, persistent nausea, weight loss, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, weakness, and low blood pressure.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Heartburn occurs when stomach acid that ought to stay there goes awry and rushes back into your oesophagus. If you experience mild heartburn at least twice per week or moderate to severe acid reflux at least once per seven days, this condition advances into GERD.

Because your oesophagal opening relaxes when you’re pregnant due to progesterone, heartburn may occur frequently. Additionally, as the baby grows, the stomach is forced under strain, increasing the likelihood that acid will leak out.

Constipation 

Women experience slower colonic movements as progesterone slows down its contractions. In effect, food passes through your colon more slowly than expected, which can cause buildup, harder stools, and constipation.

The pressure from your uterus and expanding baby may strain your rectum later in your pregnancy, making it harder than usual to poop.

Diarrhoea

Loose bowels typically have an external reason that isn’t always harmful. Diarrhoea could arise from healthy foods, the additional water, or even the exercise you’ve started. It may occur just before labour when your muscles relax and get ready for childbirth.

Specific causes of diarrhoea include stomach flu, food poisoning, intestinal worms, or a typical stomach virus during pregnancy. Call your doctor immediately if you think these conditions apply to you.

What Are Some Causes of Gastrointestinal Issues During Pregnancy?

The following are some common causes of gastrointestinal problems during pregnancy:

• Hormones

During pregnancy, the hormone progesterone can have an impact on your health. The relaxed digestive system causes pregnancy-related issues like vomiting, hard stools, diarrhoea, and heartburn.

• Growing baby and uterus

A larger uterus impacts the digestive system. The digestive tract might become irritated or even blocked as the uterus expands. Constipation and sluggish digestion may result from this. 

Other causes of gastric issues in pregnancy are

• Obesity
• Stress
• Medications
• Poor diet
• Thyroid problems
• Lack of activity
• Infection
• Food allergy

What else could cause abdominal pain in pregnancy

There are two other reasons you could experience abdominal pain besides hormone problems and infections in pregnancy.

Braxton-Hicks contractions

Pregnancy-related Braxton Hicks contractions can be confused with gastric issues. However, these contractions are less frequent, less severe, and typically go away if you change positions than actual labour. They are your body’s way of preparing for labour, but they do not indicate that labour will start soon. 

HELLP syndrome

If untreated, the liver and blood disease known as HELLP syndrome can be fatal. In addition, preeclampsia is frequently linked to this syndrome, a potentially fatal ailment. Three significant abnormalities identified during the initial lab examination make up the abbreviation of this syndrome. These consist of:

H: Hemolysis

EL: Increased liver enzymes 

LP: Low Platelet Count 

How to treat and prevent gastric discomfort

Gastric disturbances are a natural process during pregnancy. Unfortunately, you can’t stop it entirely, although there are a few things you may do to ease suffering.

Common Gas-Causing Foods

Some moms like to keep a food journal. For example, save the broccoli and beans for dinner at home rather than lunch if you have bloating and gas after eating them. Whole grains, cauliflower, cabbage, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts are common foods that produce gas. However, don’t completely stop eating these nutritious foods because they include essential nutrients for your child.

Spicy meals, fried foods, processed foods, fatty foods, dairy, whole grains, and carbonated beverages are among the other items that are known to cause gas. 

Lifestyle Changes

• Hydration: Keeping yourself hydrated can help reduce constipation. Drinking water or non-sweetened fluids like buttermilk, coconut water, or flavoured water can help you stay hydrated.
• Meal frequency: Try to eat smaller, frequent meals rather than three large meals to aid digestion.
• Exercise: Walking during pregnancy helps with the digestion process and reduces bloating.
• Dietary Fibre: Fibre provides roughage and helps in easy motions. Three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruits daily can help increase dietary fibre. Eating too many fibre-rich foods can cause bloating. Therefore, try to gradually add fibre to your diet. 
• Raw Salads: Avoid eating raw salads, especially when eating outside. Avoid eating raw or undercooked cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and radish.
• Stay relaxed: Gas might accumulate when you eat in a stressed or anxious state. Try to focus on the food and enjoy your meal. Mindful eating can help to balance your hormones and improve digestion.

When to Call the Doctor

While gas during pregnancy can be uncomfortable, it’s not the only thing that can do so. Numerous other conditions resemble gas.

Call your doctor if you’re unsure whether or not your pain and discomfort are caused by gas. Here are some alarming signs to call your doctor or go to the emergency department.

• The pain won’t go away or is growing worse
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Blood in your vomit or urine or stool 
• Weight loss
• Uncontrolled diarrhoea 
• Difficulty when swallowing
• Extreme fatigue

With the changes in the body during pregnancy, you could experience more gas and bloating, which is normal. Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, you probably won’t be able to avoid experiencing gas at some point during your pregnancy.

Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms that you are unsure are related to gas. It’s a relief to learn that discomfort was just gas rather than to ignore a sign of a serious health issue.