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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Re: IBS and Pregnancy
