Pregnancy is that magical time when your body is busy creating a whole new human, and everyone from your grandma to your neighbor has opinions about it. Between baby name debates, nursery Pinterest boards, and answering questions like, “Are you sure it’s not twins?” it’s no surprise stress sneaks in.
You obviously want to do whatever you can to have a healthy pregnancy, right? But while stress might already feel like your constant companion, did you know it could be messing with your gut too?
When stress shows up, your brain sends an SOS to your gut. The gut, already dealing with its hands full (literally, it’s helping grow a baby), starts acting up. Sure, there are regular pregnancy symptoms, but it still goes beyond that too. Pregnancy gut drama is real, but there are some things you can do to help fix it.
What Stress Does to Your Digestion
So, it’s best to just go ahead and break it down. When you’re stressed, your body shifts into “fight or flight” mode. It’s as if your body thinks you’re running from a tiger, even though the biggest threat you’re facing is deciding between a car seat or a stroller.
Stress hormones like cortisol slow digestion, which means your gut starts working at half speed. So, this does cause things like bloating, constipation, and even digestion that feel like it’s on strike.
Why Your Gut Matters for Your Baby
Now, it’s really important to understand that your gut isn’t just playing a solo gig here, it’s performing for two (just like you’re eating for two). A healthy gut helps your body absorb nutrients that your baby needs to grow strong and healthy.
When your gut is in balance, it’s like a well-oiled machine (it sounds weird, but honestly that’s the best comparison there is), since this sends all the good stuff (like folate, calcium, and iron) straight to your little one.
What Happens When It’s Out of Whack?
Well, when stress throws your gut out of whack, it can slow down nutrient absorption. That’s right, so that alone means that your baby might not be getting everything they need. Plus, your gut plays a big role in supporting your immune system, which is working double shifts right now to keep you and your baby healthy. So, if you’re stressed, it quite literally isn’t working against your baby (which alone is super stressful).
How to Support Your Gut During Pregnancy
So, what exactly can you do to support your gut during pregnancy while trying your hardest to fight off stress at the same time? Well, you’ll need to start with your diet. Just go ahead and load up on fiber-rich foods like fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
Chances are high that your midwife or OBGYN has already told you to start eating a more fiber-heavy diet, right? It helps your digestive tract run smoothly. But you’re also going to need more probiotics in your diet, so drinking a prebiotic drink regularly (or eating yogurt) is a smart solution.
But finally, you need to get moving more, yes, by all means, it feels impossible, but you need those endorphins, they help prevent PPD and it does help prevent stress as well. Usually, just 30 minutes of light movement is all you need.
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