Gastrointestinal Problems in Pregnancy

Gastrointestinal problems may occur to all of us, both women and men, but some of them are commonly associated only with pregnancy, the postpartum or following the period right after birth. Although most often they just cause you some discomfort, some of these problems are serious conditions and you should watch for, such things as inflammatory conditions including acute pancreatitis, cholecystitis and appendicitis.

However, constipation is the most common problem that all pregnant women face throughout pregnancy and even after birth. The way you experience constipation is unique as some people may feel it different ways. Most people feel they have to strain during a bowel movement, passing pebble-like stools, or simply that they are bloated. In medical terms, constipation means you have had fewer than 3 bowel movements per week.

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy sometimes is considered a normal condition instead of a gastrointestinal problem in pregnancy. In fact, early nausea is normal, occurring along with vomiting in up to 50% of all pregnant women beginning 2 weeks after their missed period. Discomfort is associated to hormonal changes during pregnancy that usually end by the 12th week, when the second trimester of your pregnancy is about to start.

Abnormal nausea during pregnancy is a less common condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, occurring at any time during your pregnancy, and characterized by severe vomiting, that may lead to dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities in the blood. While nausea late in pregnancy can be the result of a serious complication indicating a true emergency, due to twisted or obstructed bowel, very rare but a serious condition which may require surgery.

Another common gastrointestinal problem at this stage of your life is heartburn or reflux, resulting from hormonal changes during your pregnancy. This problem is caused by women's progesterone. The level of progesterone is increased during pregnancy, loosening the normal sphincter. This problem occurs between the esophagus and the stomach, in the gastroesophageal junction. From there, acid content of the stomach moves up into the esophagus causing pyrosis or burning pain.

Pancreatitis in pregnant women usually occurs when a gallstone is caught in the main bile duct causing gallstone pancreatitis. This condition makes the stone leaving the gallbladder block the opening to the pancreas causing the enzymes in the intestine to attack the pancreas, causing inflammation, nausea, vomiting, and dull pain in the mid-abdomen.

Other pregnant women may develop a number of gastrointestinal problems in pregnancy, such as acute cholecystitis, appendicitis, liver problems associated to earlier gastric condition, abdominal pain in early pregnancy, dyspepsia, and inflammatory bowel disease. Periodical visits to your doctor in addition to exercising, eating and drinking adequate amounts of food and water can make you feel better.