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Gastro Issues During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most important phases of life for a woman and her family. During this phase, a mother experiences a lot of physiological and physical changes.

E.g., the hormone level changes, the uterus’s size increases, and salt and water retention occur in the body. All these changes can affect the gastrointestinal system, leading to gastric issues.

In this blog, we will discuss these issues and what you can do to tackle them

gastro issues in Pregnancy vary for each woman, and some of them might experience one of the following or all these issues.

• Nausea :

This is the most common gastro issue a woman faces during Pregnancy.

In most cases, nausea and vomiting are in the milder form. So there is no need for treatment.

Simple lifestyle changes like fractionalization of the meal (eating in multiple small parts), avoiding heavy and fatty meals and increasing the amount of water intake can solve these issues to a certain extent.

Some studies suggest that adding multivitamin tablets, too, can reduce nausea and vomiting.

In women with first Pregnancy or women who have high HCG hormones, the issue of nausea and vomiting might be more serious. In such a case, it’s better to consult a doctor right away.

• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) :

Every woman has a Progesterone hormone. This hormone is also known as Pregnancy maintenance hormone.

This hormone might slow down the food pipe or the stomach in a pregnant woman. This slows down the food’s movement from the stomach to the small intestine, resulting in food being present in the stomach for longer.

At the same time, the growing baby in the uterus also puts pressure on the stomach. Sometimes, this results in the food coming back into the food pipe.

This causes the pregnant woman to feel a burning sensation in her chest. Sometimes, this regurgitation is so severe that the acid reaches the throat of the patient.

The best way to treat this issue is by doing lifestyle modification.
For e.g.
keeping a gap of 2 to 3 hours between meals, avoiding sleeping immediately after taking the food or walking for 10 minutes at a normal pace.

Moreover, sleeping on the left side can also help reduce GERD after taking the food.

If these changes do not help, we recommend proton pump inhibitor medications and antacids to the patient.

• Constipation :

It is another most common and irritating symptom that many pregnant women have to face.

As we mentioned earlier, the Progesterone hormone weakens the gastro-muscles. This causes food to spend more time in the small intestine, resulting in better digestion.

Unfortunately, this also slows down the food in the large intestine, which can create constipation issues in the pregnant woman.

The best way to tackle constipation during Pregnancy is by increasing the fibre content in the diet. Increasing water intake by up to 1.5 litres can be helpful too.

If these steps do not solve the issue, sometimes we give certain medications to the patient.

But we strongly recommend you take these medications only after consulting your doctor.

It’s very important to discuss your pregnancy with your partner first.

Both of you have to decide whether to keep the pregnancy or not, depending on your goals and situation.

For this, it’s better to consult an Obstetrician or Gynaecologist.

Once it is confirmed that you are pregnant, it’s time to celebrate!

You should let your family know about your pregnancy. Share this wonderful news with your friends, colleagues and immediate family members.

It’s crucial to understand that pregnancy symptoms vary for each woman. So if you have severe symptoms, make sure you plan your routine accordingly.

Once you are pregnant, you will have to visit your gynaecologist at regular intervals.

Meet them and plan your future visits based on their observation.

Regular visits to a gynaecologist will ensure you do not face any issues during your pregnancy.

Gynaecologists perform various tests to ensure you and the embryo is safe.

These tests include sonography and certain blood tests. So make sure you meet with your gynaecologist and plan these tests in advance.

The next visit to a gynaecologist should be after 7 to 10 days after your first visit.

This is the most important part of pregnancy.

You will have to take extreme care of yourself when you are pregnant.

Eat healthy food, maintain your health, stay fit and hygienic, stay hydrated, and avoid any addictions. Some women experience a bit more nausea in the early months.

So if you are experiencing the same, ensure you are eating a balanced diet and a lot of fluid.

Prepare a diet plan with the help of an expert and take medications regularly prescribed by your doctor.

These medications contain folic acid and various vitamins that are necessary for your and your embryo’s health.

Make sure you add light exercise and walking to your routine.

Although there are some challenges, pregnancy is one of the most beautiful moments in a couple’s life. So do not feel depressed or don’t be anxious.

Discuss everything in detail with your partner and a gynaecologist for better pregnancy planning to enjoy these wonderful times.

In case you are experiencing any issues or have any doubts related to the pregnancy, feel free to reach out; we will be here to assist.

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