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Pregnancy and digestion: how to avoid problems?
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Of course, pregnancy is not a disease, but one of the normal physiological states of a woman. However, most women in this position feel discomfort for nine months and complain about their health.
The focus is usually on the gastrointestinal tract. Here are 4 of the most common gastrointestinal problems that occur at different stages of pregnancy:
Heartburn, upset stomach
Pregnancy and heartburn go hand in hand. Due to hormonal changes, in particular the production of the hormone relaxin, which causes the joints of the pelvic bones to weaken, digestion slows down. The longer food remains in the stomach, the more gastric juice enters the esophagus, causing chronic esophagitis.
How to relieve: avoid fried and spicy foods, eat little by little. At night, you can drink warm milk, and also slightly raise the head of the bed.
Gas and bloating
A surge in the hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout the body, including the gastrointestinal tract. Digestion of food takes longer than usual, which can cause discomfort such as flatulence, belching, etc.
How to relieve: It is best to avoid foods that cause gas. To do this, you can keep a diary, with which you will see which foods cause you the most discomfort. Another good option is to eat wheat bran, which, thanks to insoluble fiber, will speed up the passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract.
Constipation
Hormones and fetal pressure on the intestines are to blame. But there is another reason for constipation in pregnant women. If you "eat for two", you can quickly earn this problem.
How to make it easier: include foods rich in fiber (raw fruits, vegetables and grains) in your diet, take daily walks and light exercise and, of course, eat in moderation.
[ Frequent or involuntary urination
Not only does the growing fetus put pressure on the bladder, but during pregnancy the blood volume also increases, which forces the kidneys to work harder. Therefore, it is not surprising that pregnant women often run to the toilet, and when coughing or sneezing, urinary incontinence may be observed. This also happens because the pelvic floor muscles are weakened.
How to make it easier: avoid constipation, do exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor.