SIBO Pregnancy, and how to get through it
First and foremost, congratulations! You are most likely reading this because you’re thinking about becoming pregnant or recently found out that you’re pregnant, and this is, and should be, a very exciting time!
With all that being said, there are probably A LOT of questions going through your mind right now. The most important piece of information I would like you to gain from this post is that even with SIBO, you can have a healthy pregnancy, and you can get through the next 9+ months just fine.
Will the baby get SIBO?
This is an important question with a very simple and reassuring answer: No, your baby will not inherit your SIBO.
This is because the bacteria and/or archaea causing the issues in your small intestine are not inherently bad. They are a part of your widely diverse microbiome and have traveled to and populated a location in your digestive tract where they don't belong.
So regardless of how the baby is born, the bacteria that is passed onto them through the birth canal and/or breastmilk is their first introduction to their mother's microbiome. And that bacteria is not causing problems; it’s doing important work helping build their brain functions, immune, and digestive systems.
How do I make sure the baby is healthy?
Another important question with yet another simple and reassuring answer: Your baby can get all the necessary nutrients it needs for proper health and development, even with your limited diet.
But here is the important thing to keep in mind: the baby receives what you give it. And there are plenty of nutrient-rich foods that are SIBO safe; you just have to make sure to include them in your diet. Whole foods such as proteins, grains, starches, vegetables, fruits, nuts, fats, and dairy products give both you and your baby the diverse array of nutrients you both need.
Following a low FODMAP diet can be a huge aid in symptom relief, and websites like FODMAP everyday help to broaden the restrictive options you may have (begrudgingly) tried in the past. They constantly update their site with new foods, serving sizes, and recipes that don't feel limiting in the least - with great options to satisfy any cravings that come your way.
In addition to food choices, taking a good prenatal supplement helps to ensure that all the additional quantities of vitamins and minerals a developing baby needs get delivered daily.
Will the nausea and bloating get better?
Unfortunately, this is something that everyone experiences differently, so there is no definitive answer I can give you. What I can share is that there are reasons that nausea and bloating occur, and there are things you can do to both decrease and prevent them.
Nausea is a normal part of pregnancy; it’s linked to the hormonal changes taking place in the first trimester and is often recognized as a sign of a healthy placenta and growing baby. So as uncomfortable as it may seem, it can be looked at as a sign of things moving in the right direction for your baby.
It has also been connected to a vitamin B6 deficiency, which is a common nutrient that can be difficult to absorb with SIBO. Making sure that B6 is included in your prenatal can help your nausea and guarantee that your baby receives an adequate amount of necessary nutrients, even with SIBO’s absorption issues.
Something else you can do is make sure you are eating the right foods at the right times. Nausea can be worsened by both an empty stomach and an overly full one, so figuring out what the right balance for your body is can be the biggest tool in prevention. This balance can be accomplished by eating within the first 30 min to 1 hour max of waking, not going more than 2-3 hours without a snack or meal, eating slowly to both break down the food and let your stomach send signals of fullness, and focusing on eating a combination of protein, fat, fiber, and small to medium portions of carbs. Just remember that you can always add more to your plate if you feel the need; never restrict, just listen.
After some trial and error, a “gut instinct” takes over, and you can start to identify what you need and when you need it. Sometimes it's an orange, others a sandwich, or occasionally two scoops of ice cream. Regardless of the craving, you can find the foods that sound good while also making you feel good if you listen closely to what your needs are.
Bloating is also a normal part of pregnancy and is linked to similar hormonal changes taking place in the first trimester to expand and strengthen the uterus while also slowing down digestion so that the maximum amount of nutrients can be broken down and absorbed for both you and your baby.
As incredible as this natural process is, it can unfortunately cause a fair amount of discomfort and difficulties with the already complicated digestive side effects of SIBO. The best way to prevent this is by following the aforementioned less restrictive low FODMAP diet to limit reactions, include safe whole foods forms of fiber to aid in digestion and elimination, and spacing out meals by a few hours to give your digestive tract time to move foods through each portion of the digestive process.
Another immensely helpful tool for both nausea and bloating is ginger root, which supports foods digestion and movement through the digestive tract. I find that the higher dosage available in ginger’s supplemental form is far more effective and quick-acting in comparison to its food sources such as drinks and candies. The benefits come from the root’s extract, not the flavoring.
What can I do about the constipation?
Pregnancy and constipation dominant SIBO don’t necessarily complement one another due to the important nutrient absorption process of slowed digestion. Luckily, some of the same recommendations I've made previously in this post will also help with constipation. These are following the revised and nonrestrictive low FODMAP diet, including safe forms of fiber, and spacing out eating times to allow for digestion to take place will all lessen issues.
On top of those tips, you can take a prenatal that does not include iron (iron supplements can cause constipation), take magnesium citrate (a natural stool softener), drink plenty of water, and make sure to get in at least 20 minutes of exercise daily (muscle movement helps with digestive movement).
Will my diarrhea go away?
For those, dare I say, fortunate enough to have diarrhea dominant SIBO, you may get a reprieve from symptoms for the entire length of pregnancy through breastfeeding. Again, this is related to the process of slowed digestion for nutrient absorption, and those with a digestive tract that moves too quickly tend to benefit from the change in digestive speed.
That being said, it's still just as important to eat the revised low FODMAP foods that won't cause other digestive reactions because there is a possibility the diarrhea dominant issues could switch to constipation. Plus, eating a broader and easier to digest whole foods diet will supply both you and your baby with necessary nutrients.
Can I treat SIBO while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The bad news is that there really isn't anything you can do to treat SIBO while you’re pregnant, or breastfeeding. This is because antibiotics, antimicrobials, and herbs can cross the placenta, and enter breast milk negatively affecting the growing baby.
The good news is that you’ll be okay because you can safely mitigate the symptoms with everything I've mentioned in this post. You'll be supporting the health of both yourself and your baby while feeling better each step of the way.
What can I do about SIBO while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Below is a summary of all the recommendations I've made in this post, along with some new ones that tend to be very helpful with a SIBO Pregnancy. I've included the products I personally believe in, along with notes on how and when to take them. Keep in mind that this is a generic list to help you through what can be a confusing and difficult time. Not only are there more options out there, but each person experiences things differently so you may or may not need every item.
Before beginning any new supplements, dietary, or lifestyle changes, you should always check with your OB or Midwife about dosages and possible contraindication issues with medications or alternate diagnoses you may have.
SIBO Pregnancy tools:
Has B6, does not have Iron, and can be taken as a postnatal as well
Bonus, you only need to take 2 a day unlike many others that are upwards of 6 or 8 capsules
Great for babies developing brain and your gut, also includes D3 which is important for overall gut health
Dosage increases for breastfeeding, same benefits apply to you and the baby as it’s breastfeeding
Less constipating form of calcium, important for both you and your babies bone health, especially in 3rd and 4th trimesters
D3 not required for absorption if its in your prenatal and/or fish oil
When needed, it’s best to take in two dosages, I recommend after breakfast and dinner
Helps draw water into the stool, I recommend to take about 1-2 hours away from any food in the mid afternoon
Elemental magnesium is a more pure dosage form thats better absorbed, make sure to stay hydrated
This was designed specifically to help digest FODMAP foods
It’s helpful to have for meals your uncertain of the ingredients, it lessens but not prevents reactions
Certified low FODMAP fiber if your digestion doesn’t slow down and you need help with binding stools
Otherwise include safe whole foods forms of fiber to aid in digestion and elimination
Kefir and Yogurt are full of live cultures, and this lactose free brand of organic dairy products is found at most health food stores
It’s cheaper and easier to get probiotics from food sources, with the benefit of increasing nutrition simultaneously
I swear by this site and the incredible wealth of information it provides toward living a flexible low FODMAP life
Include as many verified proteins, grains, starches, vegetables, fruits, nuts, fats, and dairy products as you can tolerate
Important to add these foods to your diet in general, but especially if your prenatal is iron free
Balance
Find the right balance of what time, which foods, and how much to eat in meals and snacks to prevent nausea
Eat when you wake, don’t go more than 3 hours without food, eat slowly, and eat a combination of protein, fat, fiber, and carbs
Hydration
During pregnancy, drink around 80 oz of water daily, possibly more if you are taking magnesium citrate
During breastfeeding, drink around 100 oz of water daily, possibly more if you are taking magnesium citrate
Exercise
Get up, get out, and move at least 20 minutes every day to help with nausea and digestion
Rest
Try to get 9+ hours of sleep a night, its when your body does the hard work
If you have questions as to how we can work on the issues you’re experiencing,
contact me so that you can