Here Are Common Gastrointestinal Issues That Might Occur During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a very delicate and important stage of every woman’s life. Some issues are bound to occur during pregnancy and ‘gastrointestinal issues’ is one of them. Some women may experience GI issues that develop after becoming pregnant. Gastrointestinal problems affect the gastrointestinal tract, primarily the esophagus, stomach.

READ: Adding Calcium To Your Pregnancy Diet Is Beneficial And These Reasons Are Convincing

If you want to have a baby, these changes can feel totally worth it. Still, it’s nice to have a heads up about what’s in store and whether or not what you’re going through is considered normal.

Here are gastrointestinal issues that might occur when you’re pregnant.

1.Nausea And Vomiting

Nausea occurs in 91 percent of pregnant women in the first trimester, usually in the first 6 to 8 weeks and can often be accompanied by vomiting. If you’re dealing with this, eating bland foods like dry toast or crackers can help, along with drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding smells that bother you, and having small, frequent meals instead of larger ones.

2.Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common condition during pregnancy that causes loose or watery stools. Symptoms are bloating, abdominal cramps, nausea and many more. Check in with your doctor to determine the best treatment option to reduce dehydration and duration of illness.

3.Constipation

Constipation is having an infrequent bowel movement, difficulty having bowel movements, or having hard to pass bowel movements. It is generally described as having fewer than three bowel movements a week. If you’re pregnant and are having way too much trouble pooping, dietary tweaks like increasing your fiber intake may help or see your doctor.

4.Heartburn

By the time women reach the third trimester, they often experience heartburn at one point or another. During pregnancy, the muscle between the esophagus and stomach relaxes due to hormonal changes related to pregnancy. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help stave off heartburn. If symptoms persist, call your doctor.

5.Gallstones

Your gallbladder holds a digestive fluid called bile that’s released into your small intestine to help with the crucial task of breaking down your food.

You can have gallstones and not know it, or you can have intense symptoms like sudden and severe pain in the upper right or center portion of your abdomen, pain between your shoulder blades, pain in your right shoulder, or nausea and vomiting.

If you’re having pain or any other symptoms that you suspect are due to gallstones, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.