During pregnancy, a woman’s body changes. One of the most common changes is dairy intolerance in pregnancy. Most probably appears in the first trimester.
The symptoms of dairy intolerance in pregnancy can be confusing because they resemble common discomfort, such as bloating and nausea.
Although lactose intolerance in pregnancy is uncomfortable, it isn’t dangerous. Understanding the symptoms and how to manage them can help you maintain a healthy pregnancy.
What does dairy intolerance in pregnancy mean?
Dairy or lactose intolerance in pregnancy occurs when the body can’t produce enough lactase enzyme needed to digest lactose. As a result, lactose remains in the intestine, causing gastrointestinal problems.
3 Causes of dairy intolerance in pregnancy
Hormonal shifts
Hormonal changes can affect how your body metabolizes food and induce lactose intolerance even if you didn’t suffer from it before.
Temporary condition
Dairy intolerance in pregnancy may develop temporarily and be relieved after childbirth.
Psychological causes
- Stress and anxiety
It can affect gut motility and enzyme secretion, causing bloating, cramps, and diarrhea.
- Psychosomatic symptoms
Psychological fear of consuming dairy products. The mind translates emotional stress into physical symptoms.
- Gut-brain axis
According to research, there is a link between anxiety and gut sensitivity, which may exaggerate the body’s reaction to lactose.
Dairy intolerance in pregnancy symptoms
These symptoms occur after consuming dairy products as a result of undigested lactose remaining in the intestine.
Bloating and gases
Fullness and swollen abdomen with excessive flatulence.
Stomach cramps
Sharp pain in the stomach.
Diarrhea
Loose bowel movements.
Nausea
Feeling sick.
Constipation
In some cases, dairy intolerance can cause constipation.
When to see a doctor?
If you are suffering from these symptoms after consuming dairy products, you should consult your doctor to confirm whether you are experiencing dairy intolerance in pregnancy.
How to manage dairy intolerance in pregnancy?
Although it is challenging to reduce discomfort and ensure that mom and baby get their essential nutrients, especially calcium. But there are some medical solutions and lifestyle changes you can depend on.
Dairy alternatives
You can easily manage dairy intolerance in pregnancy by choosing alternatives as lactose-free milk, almond milk, oat milk, and soy milk, rich in calcium and vitamin D, without any digestive disorders.
Reduce dairy intake
For treatment of dairy intolerance in pregnancy, you can avoid or reduce your intake of lactose-rich products and find alternative sources of calcium.
Lactase supplements
They allow you to consume dairy products without discomfort, but in limited amounts. The lactase enzyme can break down lactose in your meal to make it easier to digest.
Food rich in calcium
You can give up dairy products and rely on foods rich in calcium, such as leafy green vegetables, broccoli, almonds, fish like salmon, and fortified juices.
Probiotic
Naturally present in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut. Probiotics can keep your digestive system healthy and reduce discomfort. Consult your doctor for probiotic supplements as an alternative.
Consume small portions
In some cases, it is better to consume small amounts all over the day than larger amounts at once.
Prenatal supplements
Ensure your supplement or vitamin provides your body with sufficient calcium and vitamin D.
Read food labels
To avoid triggering symptoms of dairy intolerance in pregnancy, always check food labels for lactose.
What is the difference between dairy allergy and dairy intolerance in pregnancy?
Dairy allergy is a dangerous immune system response to milk protein, not to the sugar. Dairy intolerance is a condition where the body can’t digest lactose because of a lactase enzyme deficiency.
Allergy can lead to respiratory issues, hives, wheezing, and swelling, but intolerance symptoms include gas, bloating, diarrhea, and discomfort.
Pregnancy symptoms or dairy-related symptoms
To confirm dairy intolerance in pregnancy, a health care provider can carry out a breath test by measuring hydrogen gas levels after consuming lactose-containing liquid.
High levels of hydrogen indicate that undigested lactose has been broken down by bacteria in the large intestine.
Another method is the lactose tolerance blood test, which measures blood sugar response after consuming lactose. If your body doesn’t absorb glucose from consumed lactose, your blood sugar levels will not increase, and you are lactose intolerant.
Other diagnostic tests can be carried out to confirm lactose intolerance, such as;
An elimination diet: Remove dairy products from your diet for a period to observe symptom improvement.
Genetic test: to identify genetic variations and the ability to digest lactose.
Small bowel biopsy: not often used, but may be done to test lactose levels in a small sample of the small intestine.
Can dairy intolerance in pregnancy affect the baby?
Consuming dairy products is not the only way to have a healthy baby; you should be sure to get enough calcium from other alternatives or supplements.
Your baby will draw calcium from your bones and teeth anyway to grow healthy, so you should be aware of the long-term effects on your health to avoid osteoporosis.
6 Remedies for dairy intolerance relief
OTC medications
Such as gas medication containing simethicone, like Maalox, to ease symptoms, or antidiarrheal medications containing loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate.
Also, antiemetic medications containing phosphorated carbohydrates are used to relieve nausea and vomiting.
Avoid these foods and drinks
Alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, beans, spicy, and sugary foods.
Exercise to improve gut health
Such as stretching exercises, walking, and yoga, are effective in stimulating the digestive system, helping food and gas pass through faster.
Abdominal massage
Can help get things moving, relieve gas, bloating, and pressure.
Drink soothing teas
Such as ginger and peppermint, which can ease nausea and vomiting and give a stomach-soothing effect.
Apply relaxing heat
Use a warm compress or heating pad for 15 minutes to relax abdominal muscles.
Conclusion
Dairy intolerance in pregnancy is not really dangerous, but it leaves a pregnant woman in pain while trying to provide her baby with all its needs.
A few tips can help, like limiting food with lactose, taking OTC medications before consuming free dairy products, trying milk alternatives like oat or almond milk, and improving gut health with probiotics.
Having dairy intolerance doesn’t mean living a life without dairy; you can enjoy at least some amount of dairy without symptoms.
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