It’s a double-whammy.

Not only is your body coping with adapting to all the natural changes of pregnancy, but on top of that your digestive system starts playing up! Once you are over the nausea so common in the 1^st trimester and you enter the 2^nd trimester, there are 3 main gremlins that can cause digestive discomfort.

Heartburn

Also known as acid reflux, you’ll know you have it if you experience a burning sensation that can reach from the centre of your chest to your lower throat. It’s very common in the 2^nd and 3^rd trimesters because the hormone progesterone relaxes the valve separating your esophagus from your stomach allowing gastric acids to come back up, causing that uncomfortable burning sensation.

Tips to alleviate Heartburn

• Eat smaller meals – five or six small meals instead of three big ones
• Don’t drink a lot of fluid with your meals, drink between meals instead
• Avoid spicy, greasy or fatty foods, chocolate, and caffeine
• Avoid bending or lying down right after eating

Constipation

About 50% of pregnant women experience constipation, (abdominal discomfort, hard stools and less than 3 bowel movements a week) sometimes as a result of iron supplements or the pressure your expanding uterus puts on your intestines. Pregnancy hormones also relax the intestinal muscle, causing food to move more slowly through your digestive system.

Tips to alleviate Constipation

• Drink more fluids – hydration can help keep bowel movements soft
• Add more fibre to your diet, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans.
• Include physical activity to your daily routine to help maintain regular bowel movements

Flatulence

Excess gas occurs because the hormones relaxin and progesterone loosen the muscles in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, causing food to travel down more slowly and excess gas to build up more quickly.

Tips to alleviate Flatulence

• Avoid or reduce carbohydrate drinks
• Avoid fatty fried foods

• Eat smaller meals throughout the day

• Exercise to help stimulate digestion

The Other Option’s DIGESTIVE REMEDY™ Siberian Pine Nut Oil is a natural cold-pressed oil made from Siberian pine nuts that has shown positive results for all the above digestive issues. Although no clinical tests have been performed, it is a natural remedy that is considered perfectly safe to use during pregnancy.

References

https://www.vitamedmdrx.com/resources/articles/archive/pregnancy/common-digestive-problems-during-pregnancy

https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/second-trimester-constipation-gas-heartburn