Managing pregnancy-related digestive Issues with supplements

The excitement and joys of pregnancy also come with unpleasant and uncomfortable symptoms that accompany hormonal and physical changes. 

The symptoms are common, are a natural part of pregnancy and can be managed via lifestyle approaches and potentially supplements where necessary.

The gastrointestinal system is just one of the many body systems that experience changes and symptoms during pregnancy. 

Nausea and vomiting

As a 2021 Nutrients review article¹ reports, nausea and vomiting are common and usually occur in the initial months of pregnancy. Although vomiting usually disappears around week 16, nausea can continue to the end of pregnancy. 

According to UC Davis, during pregnancy, hormones such as estrogen and progesterone increase, bringing about many physical changes. The increase in hormones also changes the gut microbiome, impacting the digestive system and causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

Constipation

Constipation is when there is infrequent or difficult bowel movements. According to The NSW Royal Hospital for Women, it is common, and most women experience this in the early trimesters. The Cleveland Clinic² reports that a growing fetus makes the uterus heavier, increasing pressure on the bowels and making it difficult for stools to travel out of the body. High levels of progesterone may worsen constipation, as the University of Rochester Medical Center describes,³ as this causes relaxation of the smooth muscles, slowing the passage of food through the digestive system. 

Reflux

According to the University of Rochester Medical Center,³ heartburn is caused by pressure on the intestines and stomach, pushing food back up into the oesophagus. 

If lifestyle changes are not working, your doctor may recommend medication or supplements to support your gastrointestinal health. If you are considering supplements, it's best to consult your healthcare provider first to ensure they are suited to your health situation. 

A 2021 Nutrients Journal paper⁴ reports that taking multivitamin complexes before and during the early stages of pregnancy has been shown to decrease the incidence of nausea and vomiting. 

Probiotics

The paper⁴ also reports that the number of users of probiotic products is also increasing globally due to an increasing body of research now available about the benefits of probiotics. 

Probiotics, as defined by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics,⁵ are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host when administered in adequate amounts.

When consumed, probiotics can help balance out the good and bad bacteria in our gut microbiome. This microbiome is the collection of all microbes that help to defend against pathogens, digest the food we eat, and turn it into energy. Probiotics can nourish the gut microbiome with healthy, friendly bacteria. 

Another 2016 study⁶ showed probiotics may reduce constipation during pregnancy.

However, it's also essential to consume prebiotics to feed the probiotics. As the American Pregnancy Association⁷ explains, prebiotics are a type of fibre that our bodies can't digest, so they pass through the digestive system and become food for the microbes in our gut. 

Fruits and vegetables, especially those that contain fibre and resistant starch, are among the foods that contain prebiotics. They also come in supplement form. 

Fibre supplements

Fibre, found in all plant foods, can aid the movement of food through the digestive system. According to The Royal Hospital for Women NSW,⁸ fibre helps increase the bulk and moisture in stool, stimulating bowel activity.

The Royal Women's Hospital in Victoria⁹ suggests that taking a fibre supplement such as psyllium may assist with relieving symptoms, but only under advice from a doctor or midwife. 

Fibre supplements come in a variety of forms. Probably the most well-known form is bulk fibre laxatives such as psyllium. 

The hospital advises that bulk-forming laxatives, like psyllium, should be used first, before other types of laxatives. When taken with plenty of water, improvements may be seen in 24 hours, but it may take a few days. 

A 2015 review published in The European Review for Medical and Pharmacological¹⁰ Sciences highlighted the potential for ginger to be used to relieve nausea. 

Don’t let digestive discomforts get in the way of a joyful pregnancy. There are supplements you can turn to that may help alleviate these symptoms. Before starting, consult your midwife or trusted healthcare provider to help guide you with taking these.