As Stephanie's story suggests, IBS pregnancy management can sometimes be closely linked to your food choices.
Dietary interventions are often recommended as a first-line treatment for gut troubles during pregnancy. Some prescription medications (including some medications for diarrhea, pain, or constipation) are off-limits due to their potential effect on the unborn baby.
If you're struggling with your bowel habits during pregnancy, consider the following dietary changes:
Increase fiber intake to help with bowel movements: raw fruit and veg can be difficult to digest, so cooked fiber may be easier on your gut.
Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated can help to alleviate constipation.
Avoid gas-producing foods: such as beans, cabbage, broccoli, lentils, cauliflower.
Keep an eye on comfort eating: Many pregnant women crave carbohydrates and fatty foods (think sweets, fresh doughnuts, garlic bread). Unfortunately, often those foods can trigger your IBS symptoms, so you'll have to resort to IBS safe comfort foods.
Avoid triggers: While your doctor may give the O.K. for one or two cups of coffee, make sure you continue to avoid foods and drinks known to trigger flares.
Keep moving: Pregnancy might seem like an ideal time to put your feet up and relax, but for your bowel's sake, try to maintain a regular schedule of gentle exercise, such as walking.
Some women switch to a low FODMAP diet to manage their IBS symptoms during pregnancy. Developed by Monash University researchers, this diet cuts out short-chain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols that are poorly digested by the body.
A low FODMAP diet may not be appropriate for pregnant women with specific nutritional needs. It's best to consult your doctor or a dietitian before starting on any diet during pregnancy.
Pregnancy-safe IBS medications
If dietary changes, increased water intake, and exercise aren't having a significant effect on your gut health, you can ask your doctor about pregnancy-safe medication for IBS.
Psyllium (stool bulking), docusate sodium (stool softening), and lubricant laxatives have not been associated with an increased risk of malformations.
Osmotic laxatives (like Miralax, which attracts water into the colon) and stimulant laxatives (like ExLax, which causes intestinal muscle contractions) should only be used under your doctor's guidance. These kinds of IBS medications are only recommended for short-term or very occasional use as they can cause dehydration or electrolyte imbalances in pregnant women.
Other strategies for IBS and pregnancy
Pregnancy can go hand in hand with increased stress, which in turn can speak IBS flare-ups.
A little anxiety during pregnancy is fairly common, especially when you're experiencing physical changes, worrying about what will happen when the baby comes, or feeling overwhelmed by nine months of rollercoaster hormones.
Managing your mental well-being is just as important as your physical health. Stress has been shown to trigger or worsen IBS symptoms, so it's worth investing in some calming activities for the body and the mind.
Some relaxation ideas you can try at home include:
Take some gentle exercise: such as walking, prenatal yoga, tai chi.
Enjoy a warm bath: soak away stress and aches in the tub but make sure the water is not too hot!
Make time to rest: nap, meditate, improve your sleep hygiene, and ensure that your body has the time it needs to rest and grow.
Sip peppermint tea: A soothing tea ritual can carve out some quiet time in your day and help calm an irritated gut.
Talk it out: You don't have to manage pregnancy stress alone. Talk to your partner, a friend, or family member to share your feelings or ask for support.
Hypnotherapy for IBS during pregnancy
If you're looking for an IBS management tool that can help calm your gut and your mind, then you may want to consider looking into hypnotherapy for IBS.
IBS hypnotherapy has been proven to be an effective treatment for IBS. Because hypnotherapy is drug and diet-free, it's ideal for women who want a naturally effective IBS treatment option during their pregnancy.
If you want to learn more about hypnotherapy for IBS, you can search for a licensed provider near you. You may also want to try an IBS hypnotherapy app, like Nerva, which allows you to complete a 6-week hypnotherapy program at home.
The Wrap Up
Although pregnancy can bring additional risks and challenges, it's possible to manage IBS symptoms while waiting for your little bundle of joy to arrive. To maintain better gut health, remember to drink enough water, exercise, and avoid IBS triggers. If you want to take IBS medications, make sure you talk to your doctor first, as some laxatives and pain medicines are not appropriate for use during pregnancy. Finally, make time to relax. Meditation, exercise, and hypnotherapy for IBS can help soothe IBS symptoms and pregnancy nerves at the same time.
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