IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME & PREGNANCY
A conversation we need to have. There is very little, ok no research into this area, yet, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is 1.5 times more common in women than men & most commonly diagnosed in those of child bearing age (everything you need to know about IBS here). But there is a distinction between IBS in pregnancy & pregnancy constipation. So if you suspect you have IBS try to get it sorted before you fall pregnant to make it easier to manage during pregnancy.
We know the dreaded C word...constipation in pregnancy and a factor of not if but when it happens.
WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?
Progesterone levels increase and this causes your digestive system to slow down
Your dietary habits change - Food aversions & eating foods different to what you would normally.
Not drinking enough fluids, you need 2.3-2.7L/d to support your baby's growth & development (bonus point for helping with fatigue)
Vomiting will result in less food going through the lower gut, resulting in less movement down below
The stress & anxiety is at an all time high, this can trigger changes in toilet habits
WHAT HAPPENS DURING PREGNANCY?
How your IBS plays out during pregnancy is usually determined by how it was before falling pregnant.
If you have IBS-D (predominately diarrhoea) it will probably get better during pregnancy & return to how it was before once bubba is born
If you have IBS-C (predominately constipation), brace yourself because it will probably get worse during pregnancy. If this is you, get it sorted asap. Doing the low FODMAP diet during pregnancy is not recommended.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Eat enough fibre (read more on fibre here), requirements increase from 25g/d to 28g/d during pregnancy (oats, chia seeds, flaxseeds, psyllium husk)
Practice mindfulness - work on the gut-brain connection
Go for a walk - movement will help get things moving along
Meet your daily fluid requirements
Yoga research has shown yoga can be as effective as the low FODMAP diet for IBS
Check your iron levels & review your prenatal &/or iron supplement accordingly
If you found this helpful or know someone who would, please forward and share this with me,
If you would like more personalised support during your pregnancy, please contact me here