Pregnancy is a unique moment in the life of a woman and a couple, but it can be accompanied by different daily ailments, in particular stomach aches which can occur at any time. In order to live your pregnancy as well as possible, find out how to identify the different stomach aches and our solutions to relieve you.
Causes of stomach aches during pregnancy
Hormonal fluctuations
We know well that during pregnancy, hormones are in turmoil and the body changes.
The main cause of these stomach aches is progesterone, a hormone secreted from the first day of pregnancy. It can cause mood swings, water retention and slowed bowel movements, which can lead to distension of the intestines and stomach aches. Ongoing hormonal and physiological changes can also affect intestinal motility, increasing water absorption in the stool, making it harder and more difficult to pass.
However, it does not only bring disadvantages! Despite the stomach aches it can cause, progesterone plays a crucial role in keeping the uterus calm and promoting a feeling of fulfillment.
The movements of the baby in your belly
To conceive a human being in your womb, you have to make room, which is not without consequences on your digestive system: stomach aches, bloating , constipation , nausea, acid reflux... The increase in size of the uterus puts pressure on the intestines, making the passage of stools more difficult and thus leading to constipation .
An imbalance of the intestinal microbiota
The intestinal microbiota evolves throughout our lives, particularly during pregnancy and mainly under the influence of hormones. Increasing estrogen levels leads to a loss of microbial diversity within our intestinal flora. By adding it to a diet low in fiber, the stress of motherhood, a sedentary lifestyle and taking antibiotics, this leads to an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria in the microbiota. Hence the importance of giving the microbiota a little boost during pregnancy to avoid stomach aches and maintain its balance by stocking up on good bacteria, for your well-being and that of your baby.
The different stomach aches during pregnancy
During pregnancy, various stomach aches can appear, bringing together all the pain and discomfort in the abdominal region. This pain can have multiple origins: digestive, urinary, ligamentous or even muscular. Above all, it is crucial to clearly identify the source of these stomach aches.
Digestive pain
With the increase in the size of the uterus and the baby growing over the 9 months, the digestive organs become compressed, which causes certain upheavals in digestion. In addition, the high progesterone level during this period also slows down transit . Many pregnant women complain of constipation, bloating or heartburn.
Urinary pain
Stomach aches can be linked to urinary pain. They are usually due to urinary tract infections.
Indeed, during pregnancy, hormones act up and can disrupt the balance of the intimate (or vaginal) flora. Usually dominated by Lactobacilli , the microbial community that populates the vaginal flora varies during pregnancy. These changes weaken the intimate flora and can make it more vulnerable to infections, mycoses or even cystitis . These infections are also more difficult to detect in pregnant women. They can cause pain when urinating as well as persistent pain in the bladder and kidneys.
Ligament pain
Stomach aches linked to ligament pain are more specific pains which can quickly worry the mother-to-be, especially at the start of pregnancy. They result in tightness in the lower abdomen, groin and pelvis and are caused by the release of hormones such as relaxin. The ligaments relax to allow the baby to make its way through, especially during childbirth.
Muscle pain
The uterine muscles are put under strain during this period. The uterus enlarges, relaxes, contracts and painful spasms may then appear.
Solutions for stomach aches
But how to fight against these stomach aches during pregnancy ? We share our advice with you to relieve this discomfort and improve your well-being throughout this unique period.
Adopt a balanced diet
During pregnancy, it's common to experience cravings for sugar or wanting to eat for six people. But despite these cravings, it is important to maintain a balanced diet. A diet rich in fiber will help prevent common digestive disorders, such as bloating and constipation . By choosing meals rich in fiber, drinking enough water and avoiding foods that are too fatty or too spicy, you can relieve your stomach aches and promote healthy digestion throughout your pregnancy.
Take a course of natural probiotics
During pregnancy, hormonal imbalances can disrupt the gut microbiota and lead to gut dysbiosis , which can lead to digestive issues including constipation . Probiotics are beneficial live microorganisms that help restore and maintain the balance of intestinal flora. By consuming natural probiotics , pregnant women can improve the diversity and abundance of good bacteria in their gut, promoting more regular digestion and better intestinal motility.
At DIJO, we were keen to create the best probiotic treatment. Our Essential Probiotics is a treatment that aims to repopulate your intestines with good bacteria , and strengthen your intestinal microbiota. These high-quality probiotics promote regular intestinal transit and improve the consistency of stools, to relieve constipation during pregnancy . Our second course of probiotics focuses on the balance of the intimate flora, put to the test during pregnancy. Probiotic vaginal flora helps to strengthen the intimate flora and maintain feminine balance thanks to its three specialized strains which are among the most abundant of this flora.
These two cures are not contraindicated during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Ensure good hydration
In order to prevent digestive and urinary pain, it is essential to maintain optimal hydration . Dehydration can cause hard stools due to too much water being absorbed from the stool in the large intestine, making it more difficult to pass. Drinking 1.5L of water per day helps prevent constipation and reduces the risk of urinary infections, which are very common during pregnancy. And for even more effectiveness and better taste, you can opt for an infusion like our Mega Draining Infusion . This tasty, relaxing blend of 6 organic plants promotes drainage of the body and facilitates the digestion of hearty meals.
Move regularly
It is true that remaining active until the end of your pregnancy is not easy because of the extra weight that weighs on the body. But exercise stimulates intestinal transit by promoting muscular contractions in the intestine and ensures good digestion.
So opt for activities tailored to your health and comfort level, such as walking, swimming or prenatal yoga. If necessary, do not hesitate to seek the advice of your doctor or gynecologist to ensure the compatibility of the practice with your situation.
Discover our pregnant woman pack to fight against stomach aches
The pregnant woman pack has been designed to accompany you in this unique moment. It brings together your 3 essentials to support you from an intestinal point of view. The Essential Probiotics to balance the intestinal microbiota and limit digestive disorders; Vaginal Flora Probiotics to balance the intimate flora and prevent the risk of mycoses and cystitis; and the Mega Draining Infusion to maintain good hydration and facilitate digestion.
