Both heartburn and constipation are common complaints of pregnancy. These complaints are often due to physical changes taking place in the body while the fetus grows. They can also be a result of hormonal changes as well as by eating certain foods, particularly if spicy, acidic or high in fat like beef or pork. Some women may experience indigestion or constipation from some foods but should talk to a health care professional before making any dietary or other changes during pregnancy.
Heartburn During Pregnancy
One of the first signs many women experience when becoming pregnant is morning sickness or nausea. Later during the pregnancy, although the nausea may go away, women may still experience heartburn. This is in part because of hormonal changes that loosen cartilage in the body. The purpose for this is to allow the pelvic girdle to expand during childbirth but it has an unfortunate effect of loosening the pyloric sphincter at the top of the stomach, preventing it from closing as well and allowing digestive juices to reenter the esophagus, causing heartburn. As the baby grows, additional pressure is also placed on the stomach, making heartburn more likely. Meats and fats are also digested more slowly than other foods, contributing to heartburn because they may remain in the stomach for longer than other foods. Health care professionals often recommend the use of calcium-based antacids to ease heartburn, which have the added benefit of calcium supplementation. Talk to your doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy.
Constipation During Pregnancy
Women often become constipated during pregnancy for two reasons. The hormone progesterone, which is present in high levels to maintain the pregnancy, acts as a smooth muscle relaxant to prevent the uterus from contracting. A side effect of progesterone is that the smooth muscle of the digestive tract does not move as well or quickly, resulting in difficult bowel movements. As the baby grows, the expanding uterus also may press on the intestines, making it difficult to pass feces. Eating large quantities of any type of meat, including beef and pork, may increase the chance for constipation for any person, particularly if pregnant. Meat, like all foods eaten during pregnancy, should be consumed in appropriate quantities. One method often recommended by health care professionals is the use of a stool softener or fiber-type laxative, which must be taken with plenty of fluid. Talk to your doctor before using any medication during pregnancy.
Amount of Fat in Your Beef or Pork
Beef and pork are both high in protein but may cause problems during pregnancy. Although high-quality protein is essential for the health of your developing baby, the cut of meat chosen affects the amount of fat that is present in the meat. Higher fat cuts of meat may be more likely to cause indigestion. Choosing a lean cut of beef or pork may help avoid heartburn but be sure to get the recommended amount of protein into your diet. Your physician or health care professional can help advise you.
Way Your Meat is Cooked
The way the meat is cooked may also be a factor, particularly with heartburn. If a meat is seasoned with large amounts of spice, it may be more likely to cause heartburn. Meat that has been processed or preserved, such as deli meats or corned beef, may also present issues with heartburn in addition to being high in sodium, which may contribute to sodium retention, high blood pressure and swelling of the ankles. Deli meats are also often processed with preservatives like sulfites, which you may not want your baby to have. Talk to your doctor about your diet during pregnancy.
