How to improve digestion during pregnancy. Features of digestion during pregnancy How to improve digestion in pregnant women

Why is digestion disrupted during pregnancy and how can you make your life easier?

What digestive problems can arise when carrying a child?

Pregnancy is not an easy period. At this time, a woman’s body experiences considerable stress on its internal organs, including the digestive system. She is the first to react to hormonal changes with various disorders:

Toxicosis of pregnant women

During the 1st trimester, radical changes occur in a woman’s body aimed at preserving the fetus in the womb. One of the signals of successful conception is toxicosis - frequent nausea and vomiting. This state does not last long, but makes a lasting impression. It is worth seeing a doctor if severe vomiting continues all day.

Heartburn during pregnancy

The second natural digestive disorder during pregnancy is heartburn. Occurs more often in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. The fetus in the uterus increases in size and pressure occurs on internal organs, including the stomach. The acid from it enters the esophagus and causes severe heartburn.

Constipation

Hormonal changes in a woman’s body after fertilization also affect intestinal function. Constipation often occurs in the 3rd trimester. Associated with the specific action of hormones and a decrease in physical activity during this period.

Flatulence

Another unpleasant phenomenon during the development of a baby in the womb is flatulence. It is complicated by the fact that, in addition to severe discomfort, it causes pain. The problem is associated with the same hormone progesterone, which disrupts intestinal motility and the functioning of the pancreas - fermentation worsens, which means food processing in the body.

Nutrition for the expectant mother for good digestion

How can you influence digestion during pregnancy so that you feel better? First of all:

Consult with medical specialists if the situation is getting out of control and digestive disorders are causing too many problems.
Avoid foods that cause heartburn - strong tonic drinks, salty or too sweet foods, fried, smoked, spicy foods.
Limit the consumption of foods that cause excessive gas formation - raw milk, pears, cabbage, grapes, etc.
Avoid buying stale or expired products in the store, much less consuming them.
Prepare food immediately before consumption and do not leave it for the next day.
Give preference to boiled or steamed food.
Strictly observe the terms and conditions of food storage.

In the early stages of pregnancy, it is recommended to eat 4 times a day. In the second half of pregnancy, it is better to switch to fractional meals - small portions every few hours. Try not to overeat. For the last time, eat something light 2 hours before bedtime, such as baked apples or stewed vegetables.

Gymnastics for pregnant women to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract

Special gymnastics will help improve the functioning of the intestines and stomach:

Belly breathing. Squat down near the wall, spread your legs as far apart as possible. Place one hand on the chest area, the other on the stomach. Inhale deeply and exhale air through your stomach. The hand on the chest should be motionless, and the hand on the stomach should move in rhythm with breathing. Perform in the morning and evening for a few minutes.
Rotating the body. Sit against a wall on a small pillow or folded blanket. Keep your back straight. Take a deep breath and as you exhale, turn to one side. Inhale and return to the starting position. Then turn in the opposite direction while exhaling. Do it 20 times.
Stretching. Get on all fours. Pull your right arm forward, at the same time straighten your left leg back. Then change arms and legs. Stretch as you exhale. Inhale while returning to the starting position. Do it at least 15 times.

Indigestion, if not caused by infection, is a normal occurrence during pregnancy. You can make your life easier with diet and special exercises. Medicines are prescribed exclusively by a doctor according to indications.

During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes great changes - the functioning of the endocrine system and blood circulation are restructured, and she experiences severe emotional changes. All these factors cannot but affect the digestive processes, which in turn manifests itself in the form of toxicosis, gas formation and heaviness in the abdomen. How can an expectant mother cope with these problems?

It is important to understand that how a pregnant woman’s digestion works determines not only her well-being, but also how the nutrients necessary for the formation of the fetus are absorbed, how the child’s digestive system will be formed and will work in the future, whether he will have gas, allergic reactions, diathesis, whether he can properly absorb certain foods.

There are several main signs that will tell you that something is wrong with your digestion. These symptoms are easy to recognize, but most importantly, with the help of simple measures you can prevent the development of more serious problems in time and maintain your health and the health of your unborn baby.

What signals does the expectant mother need to pay attention to from her body and what disorders of the gastrointestinal tract can they occur?

1. If every time after eating you feel heaviness, you want to lie down or feel sleepy, this may indicate insufficient or not entirely correct production of digestive enzymes. If even after 4-6 hours the feeling of heaviness does not go away, it means that the food has not yet been digested, which is often also associated with a lack of enzymes.

2. If during the day after eating or between meals you experience bloating or gas despite the fact that you did not eat foods that contribute to the excessive formation of gases (cabbage, beans, etc.), this, as a rule, indicates problems with digestion: impaired acidity, fermentation, irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, and others.

However, this not the most pleasant condition can also occur due to an increased level of the pregnancy hormone progesterone, which helps to reduce intestinal motility, which, in turn, can cause increased gas formation, as well as in late pregnancy, when the uterus is already greatly enlarged and compresses intestines and stomach.

4. If regularly after eating you immediately feel the urge to run to the toilet, to empty the intestines, this is also a sign of gastrointestinal dysfunction.

5. Bad breath may occur due to the fact that food is not digested as it should; this often indicates diseases of the stomach and other organs. For example, this may be associated with liver disease and impaired outflow of bile from the gallbladder, gastritis or ulcers of the stomach and duodenum. It happens that the smell is associated with other reasons, for example, with problems of the oral cavity (caries, periodontitis), with chronic tonsillitis (it is accompanied by the formation of purulent plugs and smell).

6. Pain in the upper abdomen, burning sensations in the stomach, belching, heartburn, sour taste in the mouth - all these symptoms are often found in pregnant women. All or one of them may be indicators of deteriorating digestion.

7. If you have no appetite for 3-5 hours after waking up in the morning, in this case, there is often a coating on the tongue and a general feeling of heaviness in the body, this is also a signal from the body that digestion is impaired, the previous food has not yet been digested and the body is clogged with remnants of undigested food. This condition often occurs if the expectant mother regularly eats very heavily before bed. It is important to understand that a person with healthy digestion usually feels hungry in the morning.

8. Constipation in pregnant women are primarily an indicator of poor nutrition. It is important to remember that for the gastrointestinal tract to function properly, it is necessary to consume a sufficient amount of fiber. They are found in whole, unrefined foods. Even seemingly healthy porridges may consist of refined grains that do not contain the necessary fiber. Preference should be given to porridges made from whole grains with a shell; it contains the fiber necessary for normal intestinal function. There is also a lot of dietary fiber in vegetables and fruits. If your stool is irregular, add beets and prunes to your menu.

9. Traces of teeth on the tongue indicate inadequate chewing of food, when a person eats quickly, on the go, doing other things while eating (reading, watching TV, etc.), so the food is poorly absorbed.

What affects the digestion of the expectant mother?

Many expectant mothers are subject to strong emotional swings, and mood, as is known, can increase the acidity of the body, which cannot but affect digestion. It is noteworthy that our mood has an impact on maintaining the normal pH level of the body: a good, cheerful mood normalizes the acid-base balance, and a bad mood can provoke an exacerbation of gastritis, and the digestion and absorption of food will be disrupted. Therefore, it is very important for loved ones, especially husbands, to treat a woman with love and tolerance. The expectant mother feels comfortable when her partner can listen to her and shows attention and care towards her.

Dyspepsia is a collective term for digestive disorders such as pain, heaviness, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, rapid satiety, burning, nausea, vomiting, belching, heartburn, flatulence, diarrhea and constipation. A person suffering from dyspepsia often does not tolerate fatty, fried, spicy foods. So all these complaints intensify in a state of psycho-emotional stress.

It is also important maintain internal biological clock. It is advisable to go to bed on time - before 23:00. Depending on how you feel, you can sleep a little during the day; sleep will restore the internal strength of the body. Desynchronization of internal biorhythms disrupts digestion processes, thyroid function, and causes metabolic failure.

To ensure that digestion works smoothly and there is no stagnation of fluids in the body and pelvic organs, pregnant women definitely need to move Walk more, it is useful to do calm exercises, yoga or swimming.

It is important to reduce the amount of work and devote yourself entirely to the process in which you are in. Often pregnant women continue to work, but in this case it is very important for them to properly organize their meals at work, and if previously they could afford to have a dry snack or not have lunch at all, but eat heavily at night or quickly throw food into themselves on the go, not wanting to waste working hours for normal chewing of food, then now such an attitude towards oneself is unacceptable, and it is important to change incorrect eating habits.

How to prevent digestive problems?

How should an expectant mother organize her diet to avoid disruption of the digestive tract?

It is important to avoid overeating - it makes digestion more difficult, especially in the last months of pregnancy.

You should not skip meals or allow yourself to feel very hungry. The intervals between meals should be 2-3 hours. Remember that fasting, cleansing diets and procedures are unacceptable during pregnancy. The main thing during this period is to listen to your own body, eat regularly and at its request, use those foods that you want, the thought of which makes you hungry. After all, through biochemical processes, through the wishes of the mother, the fetus is able to send a signal about what microelements it needs for formation.

Most digestive disorders begin with eating incompatible foods, so it is important that foods are well combined. Remember about complex combinations - melons and watermelons should be eaten separately. Milk does not combine with fermented milk products, fruits, meat and fish. Yogurts and fermented milk products cannot be combined with sour fruits, only with dried fruits. Fruits do not go well with vegetables. Take into account the peculiarities of your own digestion, and if something is poorly digested (long-term heaviness occurs after consuming the product, gas formation, etc.), it is better to exclude the culprit of the problem from your menu.

It is important to chew food thoroughly and not swallow it. While eating, you should not be distracted by the TV or any other activities.

Taste preferences among different women can be completely different. However, whatever you want, the food must be of high quality and freshly prepared. You only need to eat what was prepared today, or at most yesterday.

If possible, use farm products or products from your garden that do not contain large amounts of chemicals, because exposure to such harmful substances invariably affects the condition of the digestive organs and their functioning. In addition, remember that growth hormones contained in low-quality meat and milk can harm the fetus and cause premature birth. This is especially important, since pregnant women are recommended to consume large amounts of dairy and fermented milk products; they have a good effect on the development of the baby’s musculoskeletal system.

It is recommended to introduce spices into the diet - , caraway seeds, dill seeds, They will help improve the absorption of nutrients. Also use or garlic, they regulate digestion and have carminative properties.

A large number of heavy foods should be excluded from the menu - pasta, white bread, pastry products, as they are mucus-forming, poorly digestible, pollute the body and complicate the digestion process. It is better if the flour products are made from whole grain flour or with the addition of, for example, buckwheat flour or bran.

It is recommended to soak legumes in advance and use them with spices, for example, (cumin) or coriander, which will help your digestive system absorb these foods without causing increased gas. It is useful to know what is best absorbed And , A , and peas are quite heavy foods; the expectant mother should not consume them often.

Try to avoid semi-finished, canned and stale foods; they lack vitamins, are poorly digestible and clog the body.

It is not recommended to indulge in spicy foods, or eat too many tomatoes, eggplants, or tomato juice, unless these foods are familiar to you since childhood. These products can overstimulate the production of digestive juices and irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa.

You should not consume large quantities of fermented products (kefir, curdled milk, yoghurts and old (aged) cheese, especially in the evening. They can increase mucus formation and increase acidity. It is recommended to consume these products no more than three times a week.

It is advisable to use And with a large number of minerals, it can be either sea salt or any rock salt: Kostroma salt, Himalayan pink salt, etc.

It is very important to eat according to the season; in winter you need to eat more cooked vegetables, and in summer try to eat a lot of raw vegetables and fruits.

Avoid very cold and very hot drinks as they can upset digestion. Pregnant women are recommended to drink only warm liquids, and always without gases. Food should be washed down with warm water or warm teas made from cumin seeds, , dill and (1 tsp of seeds is poured into a glass of boiling water and left for 10-15 minutes). Such infusions are very useful for digestion; they can be drunk both prophylactically and when bloating and other symptoms described above occur. Drink ginger water more often - 3 times a day (pour 1/2 teaspoon of fresh grated ginger into a glass of boiling water, leave for 5 minutes, add honey, jam or sugar to taste). But in order not to provoke heartburn, such a drink should not be strong, so you should not add more than the specified amount of ginger. Ginger water will help with indigestion. And if the expectant mother is worried about heartburn or increased stomach acidity, gastritis or ulcers, then during the period of exacerbation of these problems, this drink should be abandoned, replacing it with water with cumin or (1 teaspoon of fennel or caraway seeds, pour 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 10-15 minutes).

It is recommended to include in your diet or , since they contain a large number of elements necessary for the body at all stages of pregnancy. These substances also promote digestion and better absorption of food.

Boris Ragozin, Ayurveda doctor.

The main active ingredient of Mezim is pancreatin, a protein enzyme of the pancreas, which is found in the gastric juice of every person and promotes the digestion of food. With its deficiency (for example, with various diseases that will be listed below, the concentration of this enzyme decreases) or with large food consumption (overeating), digestive disorders occur and nutrients are not absorbed.

Information During pregnancy, digestive disorders are a fairly common occurrence: an enlarged uterus begins to squeeze the stomach, compress the intestinal vessels, and disrupts the normal blood supply to the liver and pancreas, in which digestive enzymes are synthesized.

Using Mezim in such cases is a good way out of the situation, but not the only one. Maintaining a normal motor regimen and diet are old and effective methods for preventing digestive disorders.

Indications

Insufficient pancreatic function (chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis);
Various diseases of the digestive tract, which are accompanied by impaired digestion of food, increased gas formation, diarrhea;
Digestive disorders due to overeating;
Preparation for studies of the digestive organs.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity or intolerance to the components of the drug (allergic reactions);
Pancreatitis (acute or exacerbation of chronic).

Side effects

Side effects when using Mezim are extremely rare. In a small number of cases, an increase in uric acid levels is possible with prolonged use, and allergic reactions are possible.

Prescribing Mezim for cystic fibrosis requires a separate consultation with a doctor.

Use of Mezim during pregnancy

Mezim can be taken without a doctor's prescription. Usually: 1-2 tablets 3-4 times a day for 1-2 days in case of diet violation (overeating). When prescribed as a course of treatment as part of complex therapy for various diseases, the course of treatment and dosage of the drug is prescribed only by a doctor!

Use of the drug during lactation

The use of Mezim during lactation is carried out as indicated above. It is not absorbed into the blood and has no general effect.

Analogs

Mezim during pregnancy

Disturbances in the functioning of the pancreas, liver or gall bladder are not uncommon for modern people. Our health is becoming weaker, there are more and more provoking factors, and many, if not everyone, can “boast” of such problems from time to time.

The pregnancy period in this sense differs only in that it makes the woman even more vulnerable, so that the digestive system of the expectant mother often “fails.” In such cases, many doctors prescribe enzyme preparations to their patients, for example, Mezim. And if a pregnant woman simply ate too much in excitement, then she may well make such a prescription for herself on her own. But do not rush to put the Mezim tablet in your mouth. Perhaps heaviness in the stomach can be eliminated in a safer way?

Why is Mezim prescribed?

Mezim is an enzyme preparation. That is, it contains enzymes, the same ones that our pancreas produces. You may ask, why take it then if the body can produce enzymes itself? Treatment with Mezim may be necessary if the process of enzyme production is disrupted for some reason (for example, with chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, disorders of the liver and gallbladder) or their quantity for normal digestion of food in this case is not enough (for example, with overeating or eating foods that are “heavy” for the stomach).

How to take Mezim?

Mezim is available in the form of tablets, which should be taken with meals, without chewing and with a sufficient amount of liquid. It can be warm water, but often doctors advise drinking Mezim with jelly.

The dosage depends on the severity of the patient's condition. In any case, the therapeutic dose should be prescribed by the attending physician. Usually this is 1-2 tablets 3-4 times a day, but in some cases it may be more.

Important note: Mezim should be taken sitting or standing and should not lie down for a few minutes after taking it, otherwise the tablet may dissolve in the esophagus before reaching the stomach.

Can pregnant women take Mezim?

In addition to enzymes (amylase, lipase and protease), Mezim contains excipients. In principle, they are quite safe: lactose, cellulose, sodium carboxystarch, silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate.

Alternative to Mezim

The best advice would be not to overeat and generally eat right. This applies to the regimen, quantity, and quality of food consumed. Control your desires and objectively evaluate the usefulness of your diet. Don't overeat at night. Try not to eat spicy, salty, fried, smoked, etc., at least not to overeat or abuse such foods. But vegetables, especially stewed and steamed, or kefir will be very appropriate.

Try to move enough, walk a lot in the fresh air. A cup of tea or a leisurely walk can relieve heaviness in the stomach.

Always look for alternative ways out of a temporary uncomfortable situation. But if you are regularly bothered by stomach problems, consulting a doctor will be necessary.

Especially for beremennost.net - Elena Kichak

Mezim during pregnancy: reviews

Can Mezim be used during pregnancy?

Fast foods, exotic products that are not typical for our region, poor ecology and many, many others negatively affect our digestive system. But if at any other time minor disruptions can pass more or less unnoticed for us, then during pregnancy they are much more acute and sensitive. And if you also consider that a pregnant woman often has completely unusual eating habits or an indomitable appetite, then you can understand how important the issue of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is for them.

Very often, doctors prescribe mezim during pregnancy, when a woman experiences one or another “failure” in the functioning of the digestive system. Our ladies are already accustomed, before taking any medicine, to inquire about its safety for her and the unborn child. To figure out whether mezim can be used during pregnancy or not, let’s take a closer look at what kind of drug it is.

What is mezim?

is a digestive enzyme product that contains pancreatic enzymes (lipase, amylase and protease) and excipients (sodium carboxystarch, lactose, cellulose, magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide). All substances individually are not dangerous for the fetus and mother.

When is mezim prescribed during pregnancy?

The drug is prescribed if the body does not produce digestive enzymes to the required extent, for example, in case of disruption of the gallbladder, liver, cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, and so on. Mezim can also be prescribed during pregnancy if there are not enough enzymes to digest a particular food. This occurs when eating very heavy foods, say, fried, fatty, smoked, etc., or when overeating (gluttony). Now let’s consider the question: can mezim be used during pregnancy or not?

Studying the properties of enzyme proteins.

How safe is mezim during pregnancy?

There are two expert opinions on this issue. Officially, you can use mezim during pregnancy and lactation. This statement is based on the fact that all components of the drug individually do not have a harmful effect on the fetus. In addition, there is an opinion that the medicine is not absorbed into the blood through the digestive tract. However, this statement has no practical proof, as well as the absolute harmlessness of the product to the fetus. The fact is that today not enough research has been carried out regarding the influence of mezim on the development and formation of the unborn child.

Thus, most experts are of the opinion that Mezim can be used during pregnancy only if the expected benefit significantly exceeds the possible harm. In other situations, it is better to use alternative methods, and even better to balance your diet and exclude heavy and unhealthy foods.

Pancreatin during pregnancy

Pancreatin is an enzyme preparation containing three pancreatic enzymes (amylase, lipase, protease). They are necessary for the digestion of fats (lipase), proteins (protease) and carbohydrates (amylase). As a result, the use of Pancreatin during pregnancy increases the absorption of these substances in the small intestine, and in case of insufficient secretory activity of the pancreas, it replaces the missing function.

Why are enzyme preparations prescribed?

Pancreatic enzymes (that is, pancreatic enzymes) are secreted during pregnancy in almost the same quantities as in non-pregnant women. This fact, combined with hypofunction of the gastrointestinal tract (meaning its reduced motility), creates certain conditions for the absorption of “wrong” fats that are deposited in the vascular wall, and also increases the risk of gallstones. This makes clear the need to prescribe enzyme preparations during pregnancy to women at risk for the development of cholelithiasis and atherosclerosis. Thus, pregnancy provokes the development of those diseases for which there is a certain background. This is due to the changes that occur in the digestive system during pregnancy. They are caused by both hormonal influences and changes in organs relative to each other due to the growing uterus. Progesterone causes a decrease in intestinal motility, which leads to increased absorption of nutrients, but there are not enough enzymes for their adequate processing. The development of flatulence (bloating) is associated with this fact.

Pancreatin during pregnancy: indications for use

Based on the above, the indications for prescribing pancreatin as a pancreatic enzyme preparation are: insufficiency of the pancreas’s own production of enzymes, as well as in the complex treatment of various diseases of the stomach, intestines, liver and gall bladder. The inclusion of pancreatin in complex therapy is due to the fact that if any organ of the gastrointestinal tract is damaged, it is necessary to create their rest. And this can be achieved by using enzymes that will maximally prepare the incoming food for absorption, saving the energy of the “sick” organ (intestines, stomach, etc.).

Another indication for prescribing an enzyme preparation such as Pancreatin is overeating, which is accompanied by unpleasant subjective symptoms (nausea, bloating, abdominal pain). Errors in the diet place increased demands on the pancreatic enzyme system, and it is not able to cope with this, especially during pregnancy, when the passage of food through the intestines is slowed down. In this regard, such discomfort arises. In this case, an additional portion of enzymes is required, which can be administered in the form of the drug Pancreatin.

When it is necessary to prepare the intestines for ultrasound or x-ray examination, then you cannot do without Pancreatin. It will speed up the process of digesting food and thereby free the intestines from gases, which may complicate the described methods of additional research or distort their results.

Thus, the indications for prescribing Pancreatin are insufficient production or an increased need for enzymes (overeating, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract not directly related to the pancreas, diagnostic procedures).

How to take Pancreatin during pregnancy?

The drug is used in the form of tablets, and the average dose of Pancreatin per day is 150 thousand units, both in pregnant women and in non-pregnant women. The dose is calculated based on lipase, the content of which in one tablet is reflected on the drug packaging. During pregnancy, Pancreatin is prescribed under the control of the coprogram, the degree of digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is assessed. This drug should be used in all cases when it is indicated, however, without indications (“just in case”) Pancreatin is strictly prohibited during pregnancy and beyond.

Side effects and contraindications

Side effects when using Pancreatin develop extremely rarely - only in 1% of cases. They are manifested by gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea or constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, etc.). Allergic reactions can manifest as skin rashes.

There are only two contraindications for prescribing Pancreatin - hypersensitivity to it, as well as acute pancreatitis. In the latter case, additional administration of enzymes will aggravate the course of the underlying disease, since Pancreatin will enhance the process of self-digestion of the pancreas. In these cases you should be very careful.

Thus, the use of Pancreatin during pregnancy is not contraindicated if the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the fetus, while the teratogenic effect (that is, causing deformities in the fetus) for Pancreatin has not been proven.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding is a difficult stage in a woman’s life, during which many organs and systems of the body function with some “strain,” including the digestive system. Therefore, pregnant and lactating women often experience digestive disorders that require dietary adjustments, dietary changes, and digestive enzyme replacement therapy.

Digestive enzymes: why digestion may be disrupted during pregnancy and breastfeeding

During pregnancy, the growing uterus puts pressure on the digestive organs and large blood vessels, and changes in eating habits and endocrine changes create the preconditions for digestive disorders. Sometimes a nursing woman is forced to adhere to a certain dietary regimen that was previously unusual for her (for example, when following doctor’s recommendations, to consume more dairy products), which can also lead to changes in the function of the digestive organs and disruption of the formation of digestive enzymes.

The disruption of the formation of digestive enzymes as a result of changes in the location of organs in the abdominal cavity is quite understandable. Pressure on the pancreas itself can cause disruption in the release of digestive enzymes into the duodenum. And changes in pressure in the abdominal cavity lead to disruption of the movement of food masses through the digestive tract and their interaction with digestive enzymes.

A nursing woman, being under a special dietary regime that is designed to support lactation, may also suffer from overstrain of the pancreas and a lack of enzymes for digestion. This, for example, happens when following popular advice to consume as many high-calorie foods as possible.

Use of enzymes. Shershun Olga, November 21, 2010

In addition to physiological reasons for the lack of digestive enzymes, organic reasons are also widespread in pregnant and lactating women. Most often, this is chronic pancreatitis, which occurs despite the fact that pregnant and lactating women suffering from this disease are not always aware of it.

Lack of digestive enzymes: manifestations during pregnancy and breastfeeding

A lack of digestive enzymes during functional changes in the digestive tract or chronic pancreatitis leads to digestive disorders. This is manifested by bloating, flatulence, stool disturbances, intolerance to certain types of food, and abdominal pain. In chronic pancreatitis, these symptoms are also accompanied by girdle pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting (it is difficult to distinguish from vomiting during toxicosis of pregnancy), loss of appetite, etc.

However, sometimes a lack of digestive enzymes can be practically asymptomatic for the mother. In this case, the fetus will not receive enough nutrients.

Digestive enzymes: ways to correct digestive disorders during pregnancy and lactation

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, a woman should pay special attention to nutrition. After all, it should not cause overstrain of the digestive organs and excessive need for the formation of enzymes for digestion.

To correct digestive disorders during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is necessary to avoid overeating and limit the intake of sweet and fatty foods. It should also be remembered that the volume of each meal should not be large, since due to increased pressure on the walls of the stomach, overeating can increase heartburn in pregnant women and cause discomfort.

You should also avoid difficult-to-digest, unusual, fatty foods, the “processing” of which requires more enzymes for digestion.

You should not eat at night, as at this time the symptoms of dyspepsia (heartburn, belching) intensify.

Attention! If there are signs of digestive disorders, which are accompanied by severe pain, fever, vomiting, both expectant and nursing mothers should immediately consult a doctor.

Digestive enzymes are taken with or immediately after meals and begin to work within minutes. However, to decide on the need to use enzymes for digestion, the frequency and duration of their intake, as well as for possible additional examination for any digestive disorders, it is better for pregnant and lactating women to consult a doctor.

Enzymes during pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the happiest stages in the life of any woman. But, unfortunately, expecting a baby always means an increased load on the organs and systems of the whole body, which, in turn, can have very unpleasant manifestations. In particular, during pregnancy the digestive system often malfunctions, and the expectant mother begins to notice symptoms that she previously successfully relieved with the help of enzyme preparations. But that was before - and now any drugs need to be chosen especially carefully, because even the most, at first glance, harmless of them can harm the baby. Can enzymes be used during pregnancy? We'll talk about this today.

Why do I use enzymes during pregnancy?

A lack of essential enzymes in the body can manifest itself in the form of digestive disorders, heaviness in the abdomen, bloating and pain. During pregnancy, enzyme deficiency occurs especially often for certain physiological reasons - primarily due to the pressure of the uterus on the digestive organs and, as a consequence, a different mode of operation of these organs. In addition, digestive disorders during pregnancy can be the result of dietary errors, intoxication or infectious diseases. In this regard, the issue of taking enzyme preparations during pregnancy becomes especially relevant.

Enzyme preparations supply the body with the necessary digestive enzymes, pancreatic enzymes or liver enzymes, thereby eliminating the signs of enzyme deficiency. The ability of this kind of drugs to eliminate bloating makes it possible to use them also in preparation for ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs.

But taking enzyme preparations during pregnancy must be done very carefully. In addition, not all enzyme preparations are approved for use by expectant mothers.

Enzyme preparations during pregnancy

What enzyme preparations can be used during pregnancy? We will look at several of the most well-known enzymes that are allowed to be taken by expectant mothers.

Festal is a fairly effective drug that quickly relieves the symptoms of indigestion caused by overeating or eating incompatible foods, and also helps the pancreas function.

This drug can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but in no case should an overdose be allowed. You can take this enzyme preparation during pregnancy, 1 tablet. Among the most common side effects of Festal are allergic reactions. This is a particularly important factor, considering that the female body during pregnancy is already susceptible to allergies.

Festal during pregnancy is absolutely contraindicated for women with severe liver disease, gall bladder, and women with high blood pressure.

This enzyme preparation is recommended for people suffering from atrophic gastritis. Pepsin is the main enzyme in gastric juice, so this drug is good for digestion. But with low acidity it is ineffective. Pepsin is used during or after meals. Pepsin has no special contraindications, other than stomach ulcers and hypersensitivity to its components.

Mezim contains pancreatic enzymes and is used to alleviate conditions associated with disorders of the liver and pancreas. In addition to enzymes, mezim contains auxiliary substances that are absolutely safe for the body. However, some caution must be observed when using this enzyme preparation during pregnancy. Many people take mezim haphazardly, without consulting doctors, which can result in unpleasant consequences.

In addition, no special studies have been conducted on the use of mezim during pregnancy, so statements about the safety of this drug are quite relative. In this regard, a doctor prescribing Mezim to a pregnant woman must be confident that the potential benefits of this drug will outweigh the potential harm.

Pancreatin contains a variety of enzymes and is usually prescribed for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and chronic pancreatitis. This drug helps improve the functioning of the entire digestive system.

As for the use of pancreatin during pregnancy, it is prescribed to expectant mothers 1 tablet in the morning, lunch and evening. However, there is not enough data on the safety of pancreatin use during pregnancy. In this regard, you cannot take this enzyme throughout the entire period of waiting for the baby, so leave it only for the most serious cases.

It is best to drink all enzyme preparations with alkaline mineral water - for example, Narzan. Only in this case will the enzymes be able to work at full capacity.

And, of course, do not forget about the main rule of using medications. Be sure to consult your doctor when deciding whether to take any drug, including enzymes during pregnancy. It’s better to make sure that you don’t need enzyme preparations throughout your pregnancy. And for this, first of all, you need to watch your diet!

Digestive problems during pregnancy

Heartburn, vomiting, nausea, constipation and flatulence - all this brings great discomfort to the expectant mother. Let's learn about ways to cope with these phenomena!

Heartburn

Heartburn (a painful burning sensation in the lower chest) is one of the most common complaints of expectant mothers. Heartburn usually appears in the second half of pregnancy (weeks), but some women begin to worry about it earlier. During pregnancy, some women find out for the first time what it is. To one degree or another, heartburn worries most expectant mothers.

The essence of heartburn is that the acidic contents of the stomach enter the esophagus, causing a burning sensation. During pregnancy, due to changes in hormonal levels, the sphincters (circular muscles) between the stomach and esophagus relax, and favorable conditions are created for gastric juice to enter the esophagus. The growing uterus puts pressure on the stomach, which also contributes to this process.

Heartburn is not dangerous for a child. After childbirth it usually goes away completely.

* You can help yourself with a diet. Heartburn is increased by fresh bread and buns, strong broths, smoked and salty foods, fried and boiled eggs, spicy snacks, pickled vegetables and mushrooms, sour fruits and berries, and tomatoes. Drinks should be limited to carbonated drinks, kvass, and black coffee. Alcohol also worsens heartburn, but most expectant mothers do not drink it anyway.

But there are also foods that help reduce heartburn. These are dry cookies, pureed vegetable soups, steamed meat, milk, cream, non-sour cottage cheese, cheese, porridge (semolina, buckwheat, oatmeal). Many women find it helpful to eat nuts (almonds or walnuts) throughout the day. For some, simply drinking clean water works best. You can also drink weak tea, cocoa with milk, jelly.

* There are no universal tips in this case, so try to track what foods heartburn occurs in response to.

* It’s better not to overeat at night. Sleep on a high pillow. Do not lie down or bend over immediately after eating.

*If you haven't stopped smoking yet, it can also make your heartburn worse.

If diet and high pillow do not help, you have to resort to medications.

During pregnancy, you can use Rennie or Phosphalugel. These are antacids that neutralize the acid in the stomach that causes heartburn. The use of Almagel is also acceptable, but it is not recommended to use it during pregnancy for more than 3 days in a row.

Medicines are not a substitute for diet. You should not overuse them, as with long-term use, some drugs lead to the opposite effect - an increase in stomach acidity.

You should not use such a popular remedy as soda solution.

Although it relieves heartburn symptoms for a while, the effect is short-lived. And with regular use, disturbances in the water-salt balance occur in the body.

Constipation

Constipation is another common problem for pregnant women. Like heartburn, constipation occurs due to the relaxing effect of hormones on the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract.

It is necessary to fight constipation not only because it causes a feeling of discomfort. Constipation also increases the risk of hemorrhoids, and in some cases can cause increased uterine tone and the threat of miscarriage.

* It is necessary to consume more foods that help regulate timely bowel movements. These are mainly products containing plant fiber and having a laxative effect: vegetables, fruits, wheat bran. Fermented milk products (kefir, yoghurt, yogurt) are also useful. Dried fruits are good for constipation - prunes, dried apricots, raisins.

* You need to limit baked goods, pasta, semolina porridge, strong tea, cocoa. It is important not to eat dry food. You need to drink enough. Mineral waters have a particularly good effect. In the morning, before breakfast, it is recommended to drink a glass of clean drinking or mineral water.

* If the diet is not effective, you can use some medications. You can place suppositories with glycerin in the rectum. You can take Duphalac or Tranzipeg orally (by mouth). If problems with stool are constant, Duphalac will help better. Transipeg is most often prescribed once; long-term use is not recommended.

Belching and flatulence (increased gas production)

These problems can bother expectant mothers from the earliest stages of pregnancy. Most often, because of this, women no longer experience a feeling of discomfort, but a feeling of awkwardness.

* To reduce gas formation, you need to limit the consumption of foods such as legumes, onions, cabbage. Fatty, fried and spicy foods also increase belching and flatulence. Cream, sour cream, cottage cheese, and lean meat reduce gas formation.

* Gas formation increases with constipation. Therefore, if you cope with constipation, then this problem can resolve itself.

* If symptoms are severe, your doctor may sometimes prescribe medications that reduce gas formation, such as Espumisan.

Nausea and vomiting

These problems are usually relevant in the first 3-4 months of pregnancy. If they continue further, you need to conduct an examination to check whether liver function is impaired (evaluate a biochemical blood test, including liver enzymes - AST and ALT, take tests for viral hepatitis).

* For mild toxicosis, do not take medications. Nutrition correction is necessary. Nausea is stronger on an empty stomach, so it should not be empty. You can keep unsweetened cookies, crackers, nuts or dried fruits on the nightstand near your bed so you can snack before breakfast without getting out of bed. You can even snack at night if you wake up.

* It is better to take food often, but in small portions. Food should be boiled or steamed; fried foods should be avoided. You can eat baby food, as it is better absorbed.

* The taste and smell of lemon relieves nausea well. It is recommended to suck on a slice of lemon when nausea occurs. Ginger is also an effective remedy. It should be added to tea or simply chewed.

* Products containing mint (such as mint tea) have a calming effect on the digestive system. You can chew mint gum. However, in later stages, mint can cause heartburn. Nausea can be overcome by sucking on lozenges. Many people find it very helpful to suck on pieces of ice or frozen fruit juice (preferably citrus).

* Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, especially if you are vomiting frequently. Mineral water is useful to restore the water-salt balance in the body. You can also drink lemon water or weak green tea.

* Prenatal vitamins can sometimes help reduce nausea. But for some, on the contrary, they intensify it, and even cause vomiting, then it is better to refuse vitamins.

* Toxicosis can intensify due to stimulation of the central nervous system, so it is very important to be calm and not worry. In addition, there is a pattern that the more you think about toxicosis, the worse the nausea. To calm your body, you need to brew and drink valerian or motherwort herbs; you can use the drug Persen.

* If liver dysfunction is detected, hepatoprotectors (drugs aimed at improving liver function) are prescribed. For example, Hofitol (a herbal preparation) or Essentiale. These drugs are approved for use at all stages of pregnancy. If the liver suffers, multivitamins should be discontinued.

It must be remembered that although most often digestive problems are caused by pregnancy and go away after it, sometimes they can be a sign of chronic diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract, so you should report all complaints to your doctor; in case of severe symptoms, consultation with a gastroenterologist is recommended.

And of course, you shouldn’t prescribe medications on your own, and even more so, start treatment without adjusting your diet.

Improving digestion during pregnancy

Dangerous herbs during pregnancy!

A huge post about medications during pregnancy.

“Listen to yourself, because no one has canceled intuition yet. If you experience cognitive dissonance at the sight of a package of pills (of course, in the absence of serious problems for you or your child), think: are they really necessary? Everything is good in moderation))"

It’s a pity that experience only comes with time, and in the first B I didn’t have the habit of asking what kind of miracle pill they prescribed me at the next appearance.

Medicinal herbs contraindicated during pregnancy

Dangerous herbs during pregnancy

dangerous herbs during pregnancy

Dangerous herbs during pregnancy

Girls, here’s what they write about hyssop:

Hyssop officinalis. In addition, it increases the tone of the uterus, increasing the risk of premature termination of pregnancy. It is part of the collection against bronchial asthma, gastrointestinal diseases, angina pectoris, neuroses, and anemia.

Tell me, at 30 weeks, if I drank a glass of tea with hyssop, what could happen?

AMOXICLAV during pregnancy

Hello girls. Of course I am writing very late. But I am now 36 weeks and I have acute chronic sinusitis (sinusitis). I was prescribed amoxiclav. I was sitting and thinking whether it was possible or not and ended up in your discussion. Please tell me, is it definitely not harmful? I was sick at the beginning of summer, I was prescribed the antibiotic vilprofen, which was specially made for pregnant women, I took it, but I suffered very much from heartburn. But it helped well, even though it was the most expensive of antibiotics. I complained to the doctor that I had heartburn this time and he prescribed me amoxiclav, but it says that with the doctor’s permission. I'm worried.

Good afternoon I took Amoxiclav at 8 weeks. My urinary tract became very inflamed and no herbs or milder medications helped. They prescribed this antibiotic. I was very afraid to drink, I was worried, I looked for reviews on the Internet. And I promised myself that when the baby is born, I will definitely write about the consequences. So I’m writing - EVERYTHING IS GOOD! We are already a year old, and thank God the baby is healthy.

Hello to all girls! I stopped drinking amoxiclav 2 days ago. prescribed because they found an infection during urine culture. I hope this infection is killed. The biggest disadvantage of the drug is nausea, a terrible state all day and itching. I read articles on the Internet - it seems to be thrush. I’ll go to the residential complex soon and I’ll definitely ask what’s going on with the thrush now. the itching is just awful

How to improve digestion during pregnancy?

During the period of bearing a baby, many expectant mothers experience digestive disorders. Nausea, lack of appetite, flatulence, heaviness after eating, heartburn - these are just a small part of the problems that arise in pregnant women. How to deal with them and normalize the process of digesting food?

Natalia Batsukova

Healthy nutrition consultant, Minsk

All functional digestive disorders during pregnancy, which are manifested by nausea, lack of appetite, bloating, belching (aerophagia), heaviness after eating, heartburn, increased salivation and other uncomfortable manifestations of the gastrointestinal tract are united under the general name - dyspepsia. How to understand that there are problems and how they manifest themselves?

Problems associated with malnutrition during pregnancy

If for some reason, for a long time, the expectant mother forgets to eat on time due to haste or lack of appetite (which is often found in expectant mothers in the first trimester), if she eats hastily, without chewing her food thoroughly, heaviness in the abdomen may occur after eating , nausea, belching, stomach pain, and the woman gets the impression that the food seems to be lumpy.
Sometimes a pregnant woman cannot switch to a healthier diet in time and continues to habitually consume large amounts of foods or drinks rich in sugars that cause fermentation. This condition is manifested by symptoms such as rumbling in the stomach, increased gas production (flatulence), and frequent watery stools.
If you abuse meat and fish products in large quantities for a long time, combined with a lack of fruits and vegetables rich in fiber, you may experience heaviness in the stomach and dark stools with a putrid odor. In addition, toxic substances formed during incomplete breakdown of proteins will cause general intoxication of the body, resulting in headache, weakness, and apathy.

Why does heartburn occur during pregnancy?

Heartburn during pregnancy is one of the most common stomach disorders. It manifests itself in a burning sensation in the pit of the stomach, which may be accompanied by pain in the chest, obsessive coughing, hiccups, increased salivation, rapid satiety, distension and fullness of the stomach, and sour belching.

Heartburn during pregnancy develops when the acidity of gastric juice increases, as well as when stomach contents reflux into the esophagus. It can occur in the presence of diseases such as gastritis with high acidity, peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease or reflux esophagitis (a condition in which there is a regular reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus). Reflux esophagitis develops frequently - in almost every second pregnant woman (mainly in women who have given birth several times). This is due to the fact that during pregnancy the concentration of the hormone progesterone in the blood increases, which helps relax the smooth muscle organs, including the lower esophageal sphincter. In this case, the obstacle to the reflux of gastric contents back into the esophagus disappears. In addition, as the uterus grows, intra-abdominal pressure increases, which also contributes to the entry of stomach contents into the esophagus.

Problems associated with enzyme deficiency

The cause may be a disruption in the production of digestive enzymes by the stomach, pancreas, small intestine and gall bladder. This can occur with inflammatory diseases of these organs, as well as with impaired bile secretion. In this case, there is a decrease in appetite, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, nausea, abdominal discomfort, a feeling of a full stomach with a small meal, quickly passing attacks of spastic pain in the intestines, flatulence, and frequent stools.

Infectious problems during pregnancy

After food poisoning and intestinal infections, as well as with the development of dysbiosis, a pregnant woman may also experience manifestations of dyspepsia. This occurs due to the fact that in these diseases the mucous membrane of the digestive organs becomes inflamed and the activity of beneficial intestinal microflora decreases, which is accompanied by impaired digestion and absorption of all nutrients from the intestines. As a rule, such dyspepsia is manifested by a lack of appetite, rapid satiety, flatulence and frequent loose stools.

How to improve digestion during pregnancy?

Consult your doctor to determine the cause of your concerns. If you have indigestion during pregnancy, you should contact a gastroenterologist, who will refer you to other specialists if necessary. In this case, you may be prescribed additional tests and examinations.

We are revising our menu. It is necessary to limit or avoid the consumption of foods that provoke heartburn: citrus fruits and other sour fruits and juices from them, spicy vegetables (radish, radish, fresh onions), carbonated drinks, coffee, strong tea, cocoa, too salty or sweet dishes, spicy , smoked and fried foods.

From the menu you need to remove foods that contribute to increased gas formation in the intestines: beans, peas, beans, fresh bread (especially hot), pears, fresh white cabbage, corn, grapes, fresh figs, and it is also better to replace whole milk with fermented milk products.

It is necessary to strictly control that the food does not contain low-quality or stale products, which can cause food poisoning and, as a result, dyspeptic symptoms. It is advisable to prepare dishes in small portions - for one meal. Freshly prepared food should be stored for no more than 2 hours on the stove, and in the refrigerator for no longer than 24–36 hours, depending on the type of product.

Correcting errors related to power mode

In the first half of pregnancy, it is recommended to eat 4 times a day, while the maximum amount of food should be for lunch - 45–50% of the energy value of the diet, for the 1st and 2nd breakfast - 15–20% and for dinner up to 20% . And in the second half of pregnancy, it is better to switch to 5-6 meals a day - you can additionally give yourself an afternoon snack and a small snack between breakfast and lunch.

Avoid overeating - eat in small portions so as not to overload the digestive system.

In the evening, eat your last meal 2–2.5 hours before bedtime and not very heavily, while eliminating difficult to digest (for example, meat), fatty and fried foods. But a baked apple or some steamed vegetables will be beneficial - it can prevent nausea the next morning and prevent constipation.

Avoid eating at night.

We control behavior at the table. Chew your food very well. This is necessary in order to facilitate the work of the digestive glands and speed up the process of digesting food: the breakdown of carbohydrates begins in the mouth under the action of salivary enzymes, in addition, food thoroughly crushed in the mouth is more easily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, which prevents dyspeptic symptoms. On average, for solid foods, 30 to 40 chewing movements per bite are optimal. And for semi-liquid food (for example, porridge, soup) - about ten.

Avoid chewing with your mouth open, talking while eating, or eating too quickly. You should not eat while standing or on the move, hastily throwing food into yourself, since in this case the swallowing of air increases, which creates an “air pocket” in the intestines and is manifested by aerophagia (accumulation of air in the intestines and bloating, accompanied by belching). In cases where the expectant mother is very worried about nausea in the morning, it is recommended to opt for semi-liquid meals and eat better while reclining on high pillows. To combat morning sickness (without even getting out of bed), you can also eat light yogurt or an apple, a couple of nuts, a few crackers, etc.

Additional Helpers

The following tips will help you cope with digestive problems:

Try to relax after eating: it is better to rest a little for half an hour or take a quiet walk in the fresh air for at least 20–30 minutes.
You should not lie down in a horizontal position immediately after eating, as this will create the preconditions for acidic gastric contents to reflux into the esophagus and cause heartburn.
Also, immediately after you have eaten, you should not begin active physical activity (fast walking, running, gymnastics, swimming, etc.), since this causes a sharp outflow of blood from the gastrointestinal tract to the muscular system, which provokes stagnation food, its fermentation and putrefaction in the intestines. In addition, too sudden movements and fast running can cause stomach cramps and pain in the liver area. You can start active physical activity only 1–1.5 hours after eating.
Choose a comfortable wardrobe so that your stomach is not pinched with elastic bands, belts or tight belts, as this will lead to compression of the area in the area where food passes from the stomach to the intestines and disrupt digestion.
Keep your emotions under control, try to avoid worries, stress and overwork. The fact is that in such conditions, the neuroendocrine regulation of the production of digestive enzymes changes, appetite is disrupted and food will not be fully digested.
It is useful to do self-massage of the abdomen - light strokes clockwise to light relaxing music.
After prior consultation with your doctor, use herbal teas from chamomile, dill, mint, lemon balm, cumin, etc. to improve digestion.

6 reasons for digestive problems in expectant mothers:

1. Eating disorders (irregular meals, with long intervals, poorly chewed food, abuse of certain types of foods: simple carbohydrates, animal proteins or fatty foods).

2. The relaxing effect on the intestinal muscles of progesterone, the main hormone of pregnancy, often leading to irregular and untimely emptying of the intestines, increased fermentation processes in it and increased gas formation. In the second and third trimesters, the development of digestive disorders in pregnant women is further facilitated by the increased size of the uterus, which compresses the intestines and disrupts its functioning.

3. An increase in the content of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and, as a result, the occurrence of heartburn. This happens because during pregnancy, against the background of altered hormonal levels, the acidity of the stomach increases.

4. Insufficiency or low activity of digestive enzymes.

5. Gastrointestinal infections and other diseases (gastritis, enteritis, colitis, etc.).

6. Intestinal dysbiosis.

Herbal recipes to normalize digestion

Brew 1 tsp. cumin, anise or fennel seeds crushed in a coffee grinder with a glass of boiling water. Leave the infusion for 15 minutes. The action of these herbs will help relax the smooth muscles of the intestines, which prevents flatulence, and also improves the production of digestive enzymes, normalizes stool and reduces nausea.

Brew a mixture (1 tsp) of crushed chamomile flowers, mint leaves and dill seeds taken in equal quantities with a glass of boiling water. After 30 minutes of infusion, drink warm as tea 2-3 times a day, half a glass. This drink is especially effective for bloating and a feeling of heaviness in the stomach (when it seems that food has stopped being digested and is sitting in the stomach).

You can drink such teas both before meals (15–20 minutes) and during meals, washing down food with small sips.

Pancreatin during pregnancy: indications and contraindications during pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman’s body adapts to a new mode of operation, all organs and their systems. This also applies to the digestive organs. Manifestations of digestive disorders include nausea, heartburn, etc. As a result, many women begin to doubt whether they can take drugs such as Pancreatin.

Every expectant mother should know which enzymes are available during pregnancy. In fact, in an “interesting situation” you can take various enzyme preparations, because they are completely natural and natural for the human body, and therefore cannot cause harm to it. The most famous of them is pancreatin. Pancreatin is an enzyme preparation that includes pancreatic enzymes such as lipase, amylase and protease. All these enzymes can be taken during pregnancy, as they are produced by the body of every person. These substances are needed to digest proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The use of pancreatin during pregnancy activates the secretory function of the pancreas, which decreases during pregnancy, and accelerates the absorption of substances in the small intestine.

Enzymes that are included before the composition of Pancreatin are released in the same amount in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. Due to the fact that the number of stomach contractions decreases, and the production of pancreatic enzymes remains unchanged, it becomes possible for the body to absorb “wrong” fats and further deposit them on the walls of blood vessels. The risk of developing gallstones also increases. The inclusion of the drug in complex treatment is due to the fact that it is necessary to achieve rest of the affected organ, and this is possible by taking enzymes.

As a result, it becomes obvious that women at risk of developing atherosclerosis and cholelithiasis can take Pancreatin during pregnancy. Pregnancy is a catalyst for the development of those ailments for which certain conditions exist. This is all due to the fact that during pregnancy changes occur in the digestive system. The reason for these changes is the influence of hormones or a change in the position of organs relative to each other due to the growth of the uterus.

Taking Pancreatin during pregnancy is not prohibited, since a negative effect on the fetus has not been proven. At the same time, doctors recommend using the drug only when the risk to the child is much less for the benefits it brings to the mother.

A decrease in intestinal motility occurs under the influence of progesterone, which leads to improved absorption of nutrients, and at the same time a lack of enzymes for their normal processing. The consequence of this process is the appearance of bloating (flatulence).

Digestive disorders can occur as a result of enzyme deficiency or the presence of other diseases. However, the difference between them is not always obvious, so it is difficult to distinguish them. If the doctor has identified an exacerbation of the disease and prescribed Pancreatin during pregnancy, you can drink it without any hesitation. In this case, you must not violate the dosage and strictly follow the instructions.

Pancreatin is taken in tablet form. The average daily dose of the drug for both pregnant and non-pregnant women is prescribed in the amount of 150 thousand units. The permissible dose is calculated based on lipase; its content in the tablet is written in the instructions for the drug and on its packaging. Pancreatin during pregnancy is prescribed after testing the level of digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. During pregnancy and beyond, you should not take this drug without a doctor’s prescription and without indications.

When planning to take Pancreatin, contraindications during pregnancy, as well as adverse reactions, should be studied especially carefully. When taking Pancreatin, side effects are very rare, this happens only in 1% of cases. Side effects manifest themselves in the form of problems with the stomach and intestines (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain of various locations, etc.). A sign of an allergic reaction to the drug is a rash on the skin.

Contraindications for the use of Pancreatin are only the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and hypersensitivity to the drug. In the first case, an additional amount of enzymes will only worsen the course of the disease, because Pancreatin will increase the rate of self-digestion of the pancreas, so you need to be extremely careful when taking this drug.

In pregnant women, chronic diseases often worsen, including chronic pancreatin, which causes a decrease in the production of enzymes. As a result, unpleasant symptoms such as heaviness in the abdomen, nausea, and bloating appear. All this does not have the best effect not only on digestion, but also on the reproductive system.

Thus, to use Pancreatin there must be one of the following symptoms: the body’s increased need for enzymes or their insufficient production due to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, overeating, etc. The drug can be used by pregnant women, but the dose should be prescribed by an experienced doctor .

Pregnancy and the birth of a child are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful events in the life of any woman, any family. At the same time, doctors often call pregnancy “the great provocateur.” During it, the work of almost all organs and systems is restructured, they begin to experience increased stress. Often new health problems appear and existing ones worsen.

The digestive system is not left out either.

Oral cavity and “strange” taste habits

Often pregnant women are “craving” for salty foods and ice cream - there are many jokes about this. During pregnancy, changes in taste and smell often occur. Because of this, a woman’s taste preferences change. They often get quite strange. If you are drawn to objects that are not entirely edible (for example, clay, chalk, bricks), be sure to tell your doctor about it. This may be one of the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia.

A pregnant woman produces a large amount of saliva and it becomes more acidic. This increases the risk of tooth decay. For many women, the gums swell, become more sensitive, and may bleed.

This insidious progesterone

Some features of digestion in women during pregnancy are associated with the fact that their body begins to produce large amounts of the hormone progesterone. It causes relaxation of smooth muscles located in the walls of internal organs, including the intestines. This leads to two main problems:

Heartburn. At the junction of the esophagus and the stomach there is a muscle sphincter. Normally, it prevents gastric contents from refluxing into the esophagus. But under the influence of progesterone it relaxes. In addition, the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the stomach from below. When hydrochloric acid, which is in the stomach, enters the esophagus, heartburn occurs. Sometimes during pregnancy, part of the stomach protrudes into the chest - a diaphragmatic hernia occurs.
Constipation. Under the influence of progesterone, the muscle fibers in the intestinal wall relax, it begins to contract less intensely, and feces move more slowly. The intestinal wall has time to absorb more water, and the stool becomes denser. Because of this, the passage of stool is impaired. The situation is aggravated by the fact that the intestine is compressed by the pregnant uterus. To help cope with constipation in a pregnant woman, you can use Microlax ®, a laxative with a high safety profile, which is available in solution and administered as microenemas. If the problem persists for a long time, you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible - problems with stool can be a symptom of some serious diseases.

A pregnant woman may experience nausea and vomiting. They occur especially often in the morning. As a rule, these are symptoms of early pregnancy toxicosis. If they occur, you need to tell your doctor about it.

How does digestion change in the intestines during pregnancy? Should a pregnant woman “eat for two”?

There is a widespread belief that during pregnancy a woman needs to eat much more - after all, she must provide nutrients not only to her body, but also to the body of the child. Scientists from Imperial College in the UK recently proved that this is not so.

During pregnancy, the intestines enlarge and reorganize their work so that the body can obtain more energy from the same amount of food. By the way, this explains why it is so difficult for many women to return to normal weight after childbirth.

What happens to the liver and pancreas?

Some features of digestion in pregnant women are associated with changes occurring in the liver and pancreas. The load on the liver always increases - it has to neutralize metabolic products produced by the body of the woman and the fetus. If pregnancy proceeds normally, the composition of bile remains virtually unchanged. Typically, it slightly increases the level of bile acids, which play an important role in the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins. During pregnancy, there is an increased risk of developing gallbladder disease.

The load on the pancreas also increases. She is forced to produce more of the hormone insulin in order to provide it to the body of the mother and child. During pregnancy, the risk of developing pancreatitis, an inflammatory process in the pancreas, increases.

Many disorders of the digestive system during pregnancy are temporary, functional in nature. And yet, you should always treat any unpleasant sensations that arise carefully and immediately tell your doctor about them. After all, both the health of the woman herself and the health of her child may depend on this in the future.

During the period of bearing a baby, many expectant mothers experience digestive disorders. Nausea, lack of appetite, flatulence, heaviness after eating, heartburn - these are just a small part of the problems that arise in pregnant women. How to deal with them and normalize the process of digesting food?

All functional digestive disorders during pregnancy, which are manifested by nausea, lack of appetite, bloating, belching (aerophagia), heaviness after eating, heartburn, increased salivation and other uncomfortable manifestations of the gastrointestinal tract, are united under the general name - dyspepsia. How to understand that there are problems and how they manifest themselves?

Problems associated with malnutrition

If for some reason, for a long time, the expectant mother forgets to eat on time due to haste or lack of appetite (which is often found in expectant mothers in the first trimester), if she eats in a hurry, without chewing her food thoroughly, heaviness in the stomach may occur after eating , nausea, belching, stomach pain, and the woman gets the impression that the food seems to be lumpy. Sometimes a pregnant woman cannot switch to a healthier diet in time and continues to habitually consume large amounts of foods or drinks rich in sugars that cause fermentation. This condition is manifested by symptoms such as rumbling in the stomach, increased gas production (flatulence), and frequent watery stools. If you abuse meat and fish products in large quantities for a long time, combined with a lack of fruits and vegetables rich in fiber, you may experience heaviness in the stomach and dark stools with a putrid odor. In addition, toxic substances formed during incomplete breakdown of proteins will cause general intoxication of the body, resulting in headache, weakness, and apathy.

Heartburn is one of the most common stomach disorders during pregnancy. It manifests itself in a burning sensation in the pit of the stomach, which may be accompanied by pain in the chest, obsessive coughing, hiccups, increased salivation, rapid satiety, distension and fullness of the stomach, and sour belching.

Heartburn develops when the acidity of gastric juice increases, as well as when stomach contents reflux into the esophagus. It can occur in the presence of diseases such as gastritis with high acidity, peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease or reflux esophagitis (a condition in which there is a regular reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus). Reflux esophagitis develops frequently - in almost every second pregnant woman (mainly in women who have given birth several times). This is due to the fact that during pregnancy the concentration of the hormone progesterone in the blood increases, which helps relax the smooth muscle organs, including the lower esophageal sphincter. In this case, the obstacle to the reflux of gastric contents back into the esophagus disappears. In addition, as the uterus grows, intra-abdominal pressure increases, which also contributes to the entry of stomach contents into the esophagus.

Problems associated with enzyme deficiency

Infectious problems

How to improve digestion?

Consult your doctor to determine the cause of your concerns. If you have a digestive disorder, you should contact a gastroenterologist, who, if necessary, will refer you to other specialists. In this case, you may be prescribed additional tests and examinations.

We are revising our menu. It is necessary to limit or avoid eating foods that cause heartburn: citrus fruits and other sour fruits and juices from them. spicy vegetables (radish, radish, fresh onions), carbonated drinks, coffee, strong tea, cocoa, too salty or sweet foods, spicy, smoked and fried foods.

Correcting errors related to power mode

In the first half of pregnancy, it is recommended to eat 4 times a day, while the maximum amount of food should be for lunch - 45-50% of the energy value of the diet, for the 1st and 2nd breakfast - 15-20% and for dinner up to 20% . And in the second half of pregnancy, it is better to switch to 5-6 meals a day - you can additionally give yourself an afternoon snack and a small snack between breakfast and lunch.

Avoid overeating - eat in small portions so as not to overload the digestive system.

In the evening, eat your last meal 2-2.5 hours before bedtime and not very heavily, while eliminating difficult to digest (for example, meat), fatty and fried foods. But a baked apple or some steamed vegetables will be beneficial - it can prevent nausea the next morning and prevent constipation.

Avoid eating at night.

Avoid chewing with your mouth open, talking while eating, or eating too quickly. You should not eat while standing or on the move, hastily throwing food into yourself, as in this case the swallowing of air increases, which creates an air pocket in the intestine and is manifested by aerophagia (accumulation of air in the intestines and bloating, accompanied by belching). In cases where the expectant mother is very worried about nausea in the morning, it is recommended to opt for semi-liquid meals and eat better while reclining on high pillows. To combat morning sickness (without even getting out of bed), you can also eat light yogurt or an apple, a couple of nuts, a few crackers, etc.

Additional Helpers

The following tips will help you cope with digestive problems:

Try to relax after eating: it is better to rest a little for half an hour or take a quiet walk in the fresh air for at least 20-30 minutes.

You should not lie down in a horizontal position immediately after eating, as this will create the preconditions for acidic gastric contents to reflux into the esophagus and cause heartburn.

Also, you should not immediately after you have eaten, start active physical activity (fast walking, running, gymnastics, swimming, etc.). since in this case there is a sharp outflow of blood from the gastrointestinal tract to the muscular system, which provokes stagnation of food, its fermentation and rotting in the intestines. In addition, too sudden movements and fast running can cause stomach cramps and pain in the liver area. You can start active physical activity only 1-1.5 hours after eating.

Choose a comfortable wardrobe so that your stomach is not pinched with elastic bands, belts or tight belts, as this will lead to compression of the area in the area where food passes from the stomach to the intestines and disrupt digestion.

Keep your emotions under control, try to avoid worries, stress and overwork. The fact is that in such conditions, the neuroendocrine regulation of the production of digestive enzymes changes, appetite is disrupted and food will not be fully digested.

It is useful to do self-massage of the abdomen - light strokes clockwise to light relaxing music.