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IBS and Pregnancy

If you are pregnant then there is every chance that you will experience some differences in your digestive system anyway. Many women feel nauseous and can suffer from constipation and diarrhoea. If you also have IBS then it can be difficult to determine what effect the pregnancy will have on your IBS. Some women find that their symptoms improve whilst they are pregnant and this may be due to the high level of the hormone progesterone. However, other women may find that their symptoms are worse. IBS affects everyone in different ways and no two women will experience pregnancy in the same way either so treatment comes down to dealing with the problematic symptoms.

Certainly, pregnancy can slow down your digestive system and make it more sluggish which can lead to constipation. If constipation was a predominant symptom of your IBS then there is every chance it could get worse during pregnancy, particularly if you are also taking iron tablets. On the other hand, if your main symptom was diarrhoea then you may find that this improves during your pregnancy.

IBS is believed to be linked to hormones and as pregnancy is a time when hormones are very active, it seems obvious that pregnancy can affect the intensity of your symptoms. Acid indigestion is extremely common during pregnancy and if this is something you already suffer from, then it could be worse during the period of your pregnancy, particularly in the last trimester.

IBS affects more women than men and may be due to hormonal influences as well as differences in the digestive system. Many women complain that their symptoms are worse during menstruation, particularly stomach bloating, abdominal cramps and increased diarrhoea.

One thing that is extremely important is not to take any medication for IBS without first checking with your doctor as many preparations that are widely taken for treating IBS are not recommended during pregnancy.

Dealing with IBS whilst pregnant

Make sure you get enough fibre in your diet, preferably in the form of fresh fruit and vegetables and whole meal cereals (not bran which can make IBS worse)
Drink plenty of water, around 2 litres a day
Taking a small amount of ginger in a cup of hot water can help combat nausea
Seek advice from your doctor about the use of Immodium during pregnancy as very little is known about the potential effect on the baby. Some doctors may recommend Immodium if the symptoms of diarrhoea are so bad that the benefits outweigh the possibility of risk
Peppermint can be used during pregnancy to relax the gastro intestinal muscles but not in high doses due to its potential to relax the uterine muscles too. However, peppermint can also increase heartburn, a problem that can already occur during pregnancy.
Soluble Fibre Supplements are usually considered ok to take during pregnancy
In all instances, consult your doctor before taking anything to combat the symptoms of IBS