| IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a chronic intestinal | | | | digestive system slowing down. Other reasons why |
| disorder, not a disease. The intestines of a person with | | | | constipation occurs are from lack of exercise, diet |
| IBS do not function properly which can lead to many | | | | change, and the physical pressure of the baby on the |
| symptoms. The most common include diarrhea, | | | | bowel. Thus, even pregnant women who don't have |
| constipation, gas, bloating and abdominal pain. It is | | | | IBS are prone to constipation. |
| estimated that IBS affects as many as 20% of | | | | To help with constipation and other IBS symptoms |
| Americans, and affects women three times greater | | | | during pregnancy, some women take medications. Not |
| than it does men. | | | | all medications that may be used to treat irritable |
| Depending on the types of symptoms a woman has, | | | | bowel syndrome are safe for pregnancy. Therefore, |
| and the severity of her IBS, this disorder can be both | | | | you should discuss medical treatment with your doctor |
| physically and psychologically upsetting and cause | | | | before taking any drug. However, the following is a list |
| plenty of anxiety. Some women worry that having IBS | | | | of medications that are usually safe to take during |
| will affect their ability to become pregnant or cause | | | | pregnancy:o Acetaminophen (IE Tylenol) - helps with |
| problems during pregnancy. | | | | pain and discomforto Bentyl/Dicyclomine - prevents |
| Irritable bowel syndrome does not affect a woman's | | | | muscles spasms in the stomach and bladder and helps |
| chances of becoming pregnant, nor does it make her | | | | to relax them. It also reduces the production of |
| infertile. However, during pregnancy, IBS symptoms are | | | | stomach acid.o Diclectin - helps with morning sicknesso |
| generally worse than normal due to the hormonal | | | | Simethicone - helps to alleviate gas in the intestinal |
| changes a woman's body experiences. | | | | tract. |
| The following is a breakdown of what a woman with | | | | Medications are not the only answer when it comes to |
| IBS can expect during pregnancy, and the different | | | | helping pregnant women treat their IBS symptoms. |
| treatments she can try to help control symptoms. | | | | Alternative treatments include:o Drinking plenty of |
| First trimester - During this period, most women don't | | | | water - prevents dehydration and helps with digestiono |
| feel the hormonal effects on their body, because they | | | | Regular and safe pregnancy exercises - helps aid in |
| are too busy coping with morning sickness. At this time, | | | | digestion and reduces stresso Sufficient sleep - |
| IBS virtually disappears | | | | reduces stresso High fiber diet - Helps move slow |
| Second trimester - As hormonal change becomes | | | | bowels. This includes foods such as fruit, vegetables, |
| more apparent, IBS will usually strike. Women with | | | | and high fiber cereals. Note: keep in mind that if your |
| irritable bowel syndrome will usually experience a | | | | IBS symptoms occur because of certain fiber foods, |
| stronger version of the symptoms they usually have. | | | | don't include these as apart of your diet.o Soluble fiber |
| Third trimester - Just as in the second trimester, IBS | | | | supplements - may help with diarrhea and |
| symptoms will continue due to hormonal changes. | | | | constipationo Ginger tea - Ginger tea can help treat |
| However, in many women, the symptom that is | | | | morning sicknesso Hypnosis - This psychological |
| experienced the most is constipation, especially during | | | | treatment can be used to individually treat the |
| the 8th month. | | | | symptoms a woman is experiencing. |
| The reason constipation is the most common | | | | As you can see, there are plenty of ways a pregnant |
| symptom is because pregnancy causes the levels of | | | | woman can deal with IBS. The trick is to know what |
| the progesterone hormone to rise. This hormone | | | | treatments work best, and incorporate them into a |
| causes muscles to relax, which can result in the | | | | healthy and active lifestyle. |