IBS and Pregnancy
#58 - 01/27/03 11:16 AM
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Anyone wondering about this - I've been there, and I'm there again. Our second child is due Sept 22. I'd be happy to talk to anyone about how I've managed (and am managing). And yes, I'm female. Han Solo is my favourite Star Wars character. 
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Han Solo is one of my favorite Star Wars character too. Congratulations! Yes, I am so interested. My IBS started after the birth of my second child, so I haven't been through a pregnancy with IBS. I have been very apprehensive with the thought of IBS and another pregnancy and yet I REALLY want another child. My husband are talking about having a baby next spring. He is starting to want another baby as much as I do! How are you doing managing IBS and pregnancy? Were your symptoms the same for both pregnancies? Tell me please that it is better during pregnacy because I miss being pregnant. My youngest will be three in March. 
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I hear you Torbetta. I was terrified about managing pregnancy and IBS. So, I stuck to Heather's diet RELIGIOUSLY before getting pregnant to stabilize everything. (My IBS is moderate with some nasty bouts). The first trimester was tough. I was nauseous and exhausted. Fortunately, I stuck closely to Heather's "What to eat when you can't eat anything" (from Eating for IBS), drank gallons of peppermint tea and took my prenatal vitamins (thank God for them!) I was so worried I wouldn't be able to provide enough nutrition for a baby. Fortunately, Heather's diet enables us to get our nutrients safely - so the IBS diet is perfect for the nauseous pregnant woman - it avoids gassy foods, and everything else that can upset a tummy. This second time, I'm feeling very little nausea and only a little fatigue. I've had a few miserable days when I ate things I wasn't supposed to. It's NOT WORTH IT. So, I'm sticking to Heather's diet again and it's working fine.
In my second trimester with Liam, the most wonderful thing happened. I quote from "What to Expect When You're Expecting" (I highly recommend it - it's a fabulous book) by Arlene Eisenberg, Heide Murkoff and Sandee Hathaway. "increased relaxation of the musculature of the bowel, due to high levels of certain hormones circulating ... makes elimination sluggish. ... The pressure from the growing uterus on the bowels inhibits their normal activity." In English, most women become constipated. For me, who is diarrhea prominent IBS, it was a Godsend. I was eating with NO fear of attacks. I still had to be cautious, as we all should, but I felt better than I had in years. I even treated myself TWICE to a small Dairy Queen sundae (HALLELUJAH!) I was eating strawberries like they were going out of style.
The third trimester was full of heartburn, which of course, I treated with peppermint tea. It's no wonder my skin isn't green yet.
I hope that helps. The only advice I can give you is talk to your Doc. Ask for help from a nutritionist, or a pregnancy specialist (OBGYN/Obstetrician), or whatever will ease your mind. Tell your doctor all of your concerns BEFORE getting pregnant. Talk it over with your spouse. Every pregnancy is different and there are no guarantees. Take care, and if I can answer any of your questions or concerns, "I'm listening."
P.S. I also got hooked on "Boost" nutritional supplement shakes. They're lactose free and were another bit of insurance when I could only keep down rice.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Thank you for the advice. I was also wondering when your IBS symptoms returned after delivery? Did you at least get out of the hospital or didn't you notice because of the diet? Also I have the book "What to Expect When Your Expecting" and it is pretty worn out. I loved reading that book when I was pregnant.
You mentioned you were feeling very little nausea this time, I am sure you also find that your child helps to keep you going and not thinking about it. At least that is what I found was helpful that last time I was pregnant. But my "morning sickness" always seemed worse at around 12-16 weeks. I'm sure you might not know the difference, but did you find Heather's diet helped alleviate the morning sickness?
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First of all, my IBS returned within a day of giving birth. It was extremely difficult those first few days postpartum. I stuck mainly to starches and ate very little. I had no appetite whatsoever. While breastfeeding, it was hard, too. I was tired, and didn't want to cook. Thank goodness both my Mother and mother-in-law kept bringing over "safe" dishes for me. After a few weeks, my appetite slowly returned and as long as I was careful, I was fine.
Secondly, YES, Heather's diet is helping me (and did the first time, too) with Morning Sickness. I however can feel sick anytime during the day. With Liam, I really stuck to the "what to eat when you can't eat anything" page and drank lots of peppermint tea. This time, I am eating better, but still find I am more sensitive than usual. That means no treats, and no exceptions. Is it hard, yes, brutally. I am reminding myself constantly that the world will still have chocolate in 8 months time. I am also finding that what I can usually tolerate (ie. fresh veggies) is causing problems. The thing is is that Heather's diet has suggestions to help such as:
1. deals with the big problem foods for sick prone pregnant women. Such as: gassy foods( especially veggies that are gassy ) , high fat foods, oily foods, dairy, etc. (HEATHER - if you want to help me out here, please do!) 2. advises us to drink lots of peppermint tea
3. try to walk (even a bit if you can) after meals
4. having several small meals through the day instead of 3 big ones. (I really only feel sick now if I let my stomach get really empty) Thank heaven for Saltines.
By following her diet and suggestions, my life is much better through pregnancy.
By the way (just as an aside), did you know that Kelsey Grammer's wife has IBS and they decided to have a surrogate mother? Take care T!
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
Edited by HanSolo (01/29/03 01:40 PM)
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Hi - One thing that can really help with nausea is ginger. You can buy ginger tea (Ginger Aid is a good brand) or brew it yourself with a chunk of fresh gingerroot the size of your thumb. Don't peel, just smash with the flat side of a heavy knife or cleaver. Brew in a cup of fresh boiled water for several minutes, add honey if you like. You can also chew on crystallized ginger.
Be careful with peppermint if you have problems with heartburn, which is common in pregnancy. Mint can exacerbate heartburn, though it's great for IBS.
Best,
Heather
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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Hi! I am so glad that someone has adressed this issue. I am almost twenty years old, and I would love to have childern someday. I worry about this a lot because I know that the medications I am taking now are not safe to use during pregnancy. How did you deal with your pregnancies?
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By the way, Congradulations!
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Andrea - I'm glad that you're getting control of your symptoms now. It was hard for me to give up imodium (my lifesaver) but as long as I carefully stayed on Heather's diet, I managed. I did find however, that I could NOT stray at all - no chocolate, treats, etc. As for other medications, I don't take any for my IBS other than imodium so I'm not sure what it's like to go off meds for pregnancy. Ask your doc. Take care!
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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What a great post! Thank you for your honesty. I have just returned from my OBGYN appointment....we were trying to get pregnant before my IBS was diagnosed. It's been six months since my diagnosis and am concerned about getting pregnant as well as keeping healthy for baby. An suggestions or comments are welcomed!!
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