Women go through such a dramatic transformation during their pregnancy, both mentally and physically, so it’s not a big surprise that the gut is also affected. But it gets more complicated the more you look into it, especially when considering all the hormones, genetics, and external factors. It’s important to understand these changes and keep them in mind, regardless of whether you are pregnant or not, it’s always better to be informed on such matters! So here is how your gut microbiome changes and affects gut health during pregnancy!
What is the microbiome?
First of all, it’s best to get familiar with the terms regarding your gut in order to understand how things work. Not a lot of people are familiar with the term microbiome and its purpose in our bodies. Basically, the gut is filled with microbiomes, which are various different bacterial and other microbes. It works as a biosystem within your guts and it can influence a large part of your body – your stomach is connected with various functions and systems within your body! The gut microbiome can influence anything from your mood to your physical responses, and this obviously gets heightened once a person enters pregnancy.
Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes are a normal thing when it comes to pregnancy, the body has to change in order to create a safe environment for the embryo. It’s extremely important to follow your gut health while pregnant as time progresses, the changes can get pretty drastic – thanks to hormonal changes, many women experience various symptoms like changes in their cholesterol, hemoglobin, insulin, and other hormones that are connected to the digestive system. This can trigger a disturbance in the microbiome of the gut, causing potential issues. That’s why it’s important to regularly get checked and follow those changes as they proceed to slow down or progress.
Diet is important
There is a reason why people say you are what you eat – a good diet is essential for a healthy life! This becomes even more important during pregnancy since the hormones and gut microbiome are more likely to react! A good microbiome and a healthy gut are shaped by a well-balanced diet filled with rich nutrients, vitamins and protein are key!Also, did you know about the link between collagen and gut healing? While a bad diet can make the gut microbiome even worse! While weight gain during pregnancy might not be a bad thing, it’s also important to follow the weight gain and see if it’s normal or not – talking to a doctor and dietitian is a must!
Why is this important?
Obviously, the mother’s health is important, but it’s important to understand the connection between the mother’s health and the baby! That’s why good nutrition is important during pregnancy, not only will it keep the microbiome in a normal state, it will also prevent the baby from becoming ill. The mother can actually expose the baby to various harmful microbes during pregnancy, one of them being from her gut – all thanks to a bad diet!
At the end of the day, with regular checkups at the doctor, a good diet, and knowledge of genetics, you’ll be able to have a healthy pregnancy and preserve your gut health!
