This has become a big topic in the Gastroparesis world lately, or at least that I am seeing, and so I thought it was about time to discuss whether or not Gastroparesis has any effect on pregnancy or the ability to get & stay pregnant.
The short and sweet of it is….
No, Gastroparesis itself is not an issue to get and stay pregnant, nor does it have an effect on pregnancy.
But, as we know with this condition, it’s never that simple.
Let’s break that down.
Gastroparesis as the condition itself does not have the effect, but it’s the problems stemming from Gastroparesis that can cause issues around fertility and pregnancy.
Malnutrition
This is the biggest issue of them all. Whether this is while trying to conceive or during the pregnancy. A lot of us with Gastroparesis have a hard time eating much of anything and even when we can, we don’t always utilize the nutrients that are available.
Your body’s ability to be able to digest and absorb the necessary nutrients is incredibly important. You must be able to sustain yourself and your baby through the 9 months.
This also can cause issues, especially in the first trimester, because while you might be able to eat, chances are you will become nauseous or even throw up and that negates what you are eating.
A lot of OBs are not versed in Gastroparesis, so they might not know how to help. This is where you need to educate and make a plan to make sure you are consuming food in a safe manner and staying hydrated. This could look like needing IV fluids to stay hydrated. It could look like a specialized diet to ensure you are getting enough nutrition. And the two of those things could vary widely.
Hormone Imbalance
This would be another issue, but more on the fertility side of things.
If you are malnourished, it’s also verrrrrrrry likely you are having hormonal issues as well.
This would lead to irregular periods that would make conceiving hard, not necessarily impossible, but harder than it might have been without everything in the way.
Medications for Gastroparesis & Pregnancy
If you are some of the medications for Gastroparesis and worry about taking them before and during pregnancy, you will need to speak with both your OB & your GI.
It might be possible to stay on them, however, if you’ve been around here long enough to know me, you know that I am not a fan of the meds for Gastroparesis. My goal for all my clients is to be able to get off those medications and let their body do the work, and for the record, I am usually quite successful in doing that.
For Men
This all generally applies to the men with Gastroparesis, too. Well, except the actual pregnancy part. But if you are a man with Gastroparesis and wondering what the status of your fertility looks like, then a lot of the above applies to you, as well.
If your health and hormones aren’t functioning well, then your body won’t create healthy sperm. Whether that looks like not enough sperm, low motility sperm, not the correct shaped sperm, etc.
So, working through your digestion and keeping nourished will help keep your hormones balanced to be able to focus on creating sperm to help with the fertility process on your end.
What to Eat During Pregnancy with Gastroparesis
Well, this is a hard one, because just like this condition, every pregnancy is different and with the condition it can make it even more different.
So, first off, if you are having a hard time eating anything at all and even staying hydrated, then like I mentioned previously, you will want to speak to your OB and coordinate with your GI to make sure they can get you taken care of with fluids and particular nutrition.
A lot of times, Gastroparesis goes into “remission” during pregnancy and you find yourself being able to eat things you weren’t previously able to. While it’s tempting to eat whatever you want, try to remember to stay on the healthier side to help both you and your growing baby!
If you do experience the remission phase, take this time to replenish your body with those vital nutrients you might not have been able to get in before. Yes, you can still totally treat yourself, but make sure you are including fruits and vegetables, proteins and fats! They are all very important to your baby’s health and growth.
If you are working with a nutritionist (like myself) or a dietician during pregnancy, then we can customize a meal plan for you to help you get all you need during this special time.
And here’s something to be hopeful about….
For some, their Gastroparesis never returns after giving birth. For others, it does, but you literally never know.
My Personal Fertility & Pregnancy Journey
My first pregnancy was through IVF. The fertility journey is a brutal one and it’s not something I would wish on anyone.
After trying for 2 years, we decided to go see a fertility doctor. I swore it was because of my Gastroparesis that I wasn’t able to conceive naturally. Turns out, I was labeled with PCOS and the possibility of mild endometriosis. This has to be confirmed by surgery and my doctor didn’t find it necessary.
So, the original thought was that my Gastroparesis had nothing to do with the inability to get pregnant. My fertility doctor even said it’s the Gastroparesis is typically not a concern before or during.
(if you’d like to know more about IVF and that journey, feel free to contact me)
However, at the time of writing this, I am currently pregnant with baby #2 naturally and I do think it had majority to do with how I went about my digestion and health after baby #1.
I went back and started my own protocol that I take all my clients through. I worked it hard. I focused on making sure my digestion was working properly and then fueling my body with foods that would help balance my hormones. And then SURPRISE, here comes baby #2.
So, while Gastroparesis itself didn’t have an effect on it originally in my first attempts at having a baby, I do think the years of whacked out digestion, malnutrition, unbalanced hormones and stress played a factor in it, along with the other issues I had.
Wrapping it Up
So, if we break it down to the simplest terms, then no, Gastroparesis as a condition itself is not an issue when it comes to getting pregnant and going through pregnancy.
There is more to it, but that’s just to ease that first concern if you are someone who is newly pregnant or considering trying to get pregnant.
If you would like to learn more about how I help my clients with their Gastroparesis, I would love to chat with you.
Just click here for more info.
I hope this was helpful and even reassuring to you.
Until next time.
Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.
Aubrey