As a pregnant woman, many things happen in your body that are harder to control. This is due to the many sex hormones at work in the body, which create significant changes. Here you can get some advice that can help with stomach problems during pregnancy.
A hormone called progesterone plays a major role in your pregnancy. At the same time, it is also a hormone that affects your intestinal muscles. This makes it easier for your body to utilize the nutrients that the intestines extract from your food, thus better nourishing the fetus. However, it also means that you as a mother may experience constipation, as waste products linger longer in the intestines. This is all part of the necessary process.
It doesn't help in this regard that you as a pregnant woman typically experience increased fatigue and therefore do not get as much exercise as usual. This is also completely normal, but it can be part of what leads to stomach problems, combined with your changed eating habits and fluctuating appetite.
All in all, these hormones and changed habits can cause constipation and, in the worst case, hemorrhoids. Here you can read a bit about how you can do something to reduce constipation and bloating.
Exercise
As mentioned, your pregnancy can very well lead to greater fatigue and less movement because your body is working hard internally. This may mean that you don't get as much exercise as usual, and that is also perfectly fine. However, there is still an idea in making sure to get some exercise after all. Think about what forms of movement you can easily add to your daily routine. Swim a bit, go up and down some stairs, or take a bike ride. All of this helps to get your circulation going in your body.
Drink plenty of water
Your body needs fluids, and when you have an extra little body growing inside you, you need even more fluids. Especially when it is warm, it is important that you drink at least two liters a day. Always have a bottle with you so you can drink water whenever you need, and to ensure you are taking in enough fluids. Water is the best, as it is easiest for your body to absorb and digest.
Pay attention to your diet
Food and nutrition are also important to focus on during pregnancy. It is a good idea to get plenty of fiber, so a fiber-rich diet is the way to go. Focus on getting plenty of salads and vegetables, seeds, and whole grain bread. In general, nuts and seeds are a good idea, and you can buy psyllium husks from HUSK, which are specifically good for processing and balancing the flora in the intestines. Along with fluids, these types of foods can help give you good balance in your stomach.
Get plenty of minerals
It is a good idea for pregnant women to take supplements with extra minerals and vitamins, as you need them more during this period. Especially magnesium, which is a mineral that people typically do not get enough of, can be a good idea to replenish. We do not eat as many nuts as people used to, so our bodies are typically deficient in magnesium. By alleviating this deficiency with magnesium supplements, it can help prevent constipation.
Combat hemorrhoids
For pregnant women, it is not uncommon to get hemorrhoids, but that doesn't mean it's pleasant. Bulges around the anal opening occur due to the increased pressure from the uterus, as there is, of course, a fetus in there that usually isn't present. This can make it incredibly painful to sit down and to go to the bathroom, which can even be a bloody affair. It is important to know that there is nothing 'wrong' as such, even though it may easily seem that way. However, there is still reason to do something about it.
If you have hemorrhoids while pregnant and want to get rid of them, it may be a good idea to do venous pump exercises. Additionally, you can contact a doctor if the hemorrhoids become too painful to ignore, and if they are too bothersome to have. Once you have given birth, the hemorrhoids will typically disappear on their own. Furthermore, you can follow all the aforementioned advice against constipation, as a hard stomach can also contribute to causing the hemorrhoids.
