MoMmy Mondays: Pregnancy and your metabolic/gastrointestinal systems

Metabolic System

Ever wonder why you have to eat more than usual when you’re pregnant? Well, besides the obvious (because your pregnant??), being pregnant speeds up your metabolism. You should consume about 300 extra calories per day (that’s around 80,000 for the entire pregnancy!)- more if you exercise: 500 extra calories are needed for moderate exercise, and up to 800 extra calories a day are needed if you are a professional athlete.

While your metabolism is kicking into the next gear, its priority is also shifting from YOU to your baby. Carbs, proteins and fats are fueling the baby’s growth, and all reserves will go to the baby first, which means it is imperative that you eat more- just so there is something left for you to live on too.

The entire 1st trimester your body is storing fat and will almost completely cease halfway through the pregnancy. By then, the fetus will begin to use the stored fat while the other half of its fat comes from you. In your final trimester, no nutrients are stored or deposited as fat, unless you overeat (so by now, you cannot use the excuse of “eating for two” so stop overeating!). Everything will be used up for fetal growth and energy, this is when the fetus accumulates body fat. In the very last stage of the pregnancy, carnitine (an amino acid) production will increase to break down any excess fat that may have accumulated. Premature babies who are born before this process occurs do not benefit from carnitine’s “fat-burning” effects.

Gastrointestinal System

If you are normally very regular, you will notice that begin to change. Pregnancy will cause your digestion to slow down. Because the food is travelling more slowly through the intestines, it allows better absorption. Unfortunately, this can result in drier feces and constipation. Offset this with exercise, and drinking A LOT of water!

Heartburn is another common symptom. It happens when the esophageal sphincter (the lid that separates the esophagus from the stomach) relaxes, and the uterus pushes up on the stomach, which causes acidic food in the stomach to be pushed back up into the esophagus. Keep exercising! Also eating more foods high in calcium and fiber will reduce stomach problems by simulating digestion and bowel movements.
Still bothering you? Try a calcium supplement (calcium neutralizes acids naturally).
AVOID overeating, mixing too many different types of foods (makes the digestive process more difficult..so say good bye to all those pregnancy cravings!), eating ‘junk food’ (you know what I’m talking about) and spicy foods, and eating immediately before lying down. Prop your head with lots of pillows to keep it above your stomach at bedtime, that may help a little too.

Next week, we will look at how pregnancy affects your respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Until next time Mommys, if you never thought twice about what you feed your body, NOW is a great time to start!

Health respect & happiness,
Beki