Exclusive: Unhealthy gut can lead to premature labor in pregnant women, expert shares everything about maternity diet

An unhealthy gut can hamper the health of a pregnant woman and cause problems that can harm the development of the unborn child. For example, digestive problems and premature labor can be caused by an unhealthy gut.

When a baby is born prematurely, they have health problems including respiratory problems that can be fatal. The health of both you and your unborn baby depends on how well you, as a mother-to-be, take good care of your belly during and after pregnancy.

The health of a newborn is largely dependent on their gut microbiome. Also, a major factor affecting this is the health of the maternal gut. During a healthy pregnancy, your oral and intestinal flora are transferred to your unborn baby. Your baby’s digestive system is shaped by the health of your gut and intestinal flora.

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In an interview with Zee English, Dr Debajyoti Dhar, Co-Founder and Director, Lucene Rich Bio Pvt Ltd. Ltd. is here to explain why pregnant women need to maintain a healthy gut.

We understand the importance of a healthy diet for pregnant and lactating women in the growth and development of the newborn. “This is why they are encouraged to eat a nutritious and balanced diet to meet the requirements of the developing baby. But apart from meeting the nutritional requirements of the growing foetus, a lot depends on the health of the gut (digestive system) of the mother,” says Dr. Debajyoti.

Our body is home to an array of microorganisms known as our microbiome. It can be both: good and bad. It is now understood that the newborn receives most of the microbes present in the mother’s body during delivery.

More interestingly, the gut microbiota also influences the vaginal microbiota in women. This is all the more reason for healthy microbes to thrive in the gut of a pregnant woman.

Gut health and immunity of the baby

A woman’s gut microbiome changes during pregnancy, which may affect the maturation of the baby’s immune system. It has been observed that babies born through C-section delivery are more likely to grow up with allergies, asthma or autoimmune diseases as compared to babies born through normal vaginal delivery.

Therefore a healthy mother’s gut can influence healthy vaginal microbiota which in turn will influence the overall immune system of the newborn. These microorganisms support the stimulation of immune cell formation, the control of inflammation, and the improvement of immunological responses.

How can a pregnant woman strengthen her bowels?

Including foods that support gut health, such as prebiotics and probiotics, in one’s diet is a surefire way to a healthy microbiome.

Now, to know which probiotics and prebiotics a pregnant or lactating woman needs, she can take at-home gut microbiome tests like Ombre (USA), Microba (Australia) and Bugspeaks (India) to get detailed information about her gut health. Based on the results presented and the recommendation of the doctor, a pregnant or lactating woman can include those foods which are bound to give results in her case.

Dr. Debajyoti concluded, “The health of the gut of a pregnant or lactating woman has a huge impact not only on the health of the mother but also on the health of the unborn child. A healthy gut contains beneficial microbes that influence our metabolism.”

While having a balanced gut is important for everyone, this need becomes even more important for pregnant and lactating women because their gut microbiome significantly affects the health of the unborn baby. Pregnancy and the early years of life largely shape the development of a healthy human being.

Tips to keep gut healthy during pregnancy

eat food that contains probiotics

According to scientists, probiotics improve digestion, gut health and the immune system. Foods such as kefir, apple cider vinegar and kombucha contain probiotics. Yogurt is helpful as it is high in probiotics and helps you stay hydrated.

Avoid food packed in plastic

Although this advice may be difficult to follow, it can actually benefit the entire family and the unborn child. Use glass storage containers instead of plastic to keep your food fresh. Glass preserves food for longer and does not allow harmful substances to contaminate your food and beverages.

Additionally, foods containing chemicals, artificial sweeteners and food coloring are bad for your gut health since they prevent probiotics from working properly.

hydration

Most people are aware of the need to drink enough water to keep their skin, heart, brain, muscles and joints healthy. However, some people may not understand the importance of water for gut health.

If you find it difficult to drink plain water when you are pregnant, you can add some natural flavorings like ginger, mint or lemon to change the taste. To improve your water consumption, eat more water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes or celery.

Knowing your gut microbiome with a simple at-home test kit is one way to gain information about the gut microbiome. Consuming balanced gut-supporting foods is essential during pregnancy and lactation, consulting with your doctor for individualized dietary recommendations.