Pregnancy and Celiac Disease: Symptoms, Risks, and Management Through Gluten-Free Diet

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects nearly one percent of people around the world. Of these, almost 80 percent of people with celiac disease remain undiagnosed. In patients with celiac disease, consuming gluten triggers an immune response that poses significant damage to the small intestine.

Read this article to find out what celiac disease is, its symptoms, complications, and how it could be managed with the aid of a gluten-free diet.

Celiac disease is a chronic autonomic disorder that primarily affects the small intestine. In this, when a person with celiac disease consumes gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, their immune system triggers the immune system to attack the villi in the small intestine. Villi are responsible for absorbing nutrients from food. This immune response leads to inflammation, significant damage to the intestinal lining, and other gastrointestinal concerns.

Pregnancy is that phase that requires adequate nutrients to support a baby's growth. If a gluten-free diet is not adhered to, there are several complications that may arise.

Celiac disease poses a potential danger to the intestine and its ability to absorb the nutrients. Therefore, there might be deficiencies of nutrients such as folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, and iron needed for both mother’s and baby’s health.

Women who have an improper diet are likely to have a higher chance of miscarriage or a stillbirth, specifically due to malnutrition or immune-related aspects.

Women with celiac diseases are at a higher chance of giving a preterm birth. Babies born before 37 weeks of gestation period are at a significant risk of various health concerns and delays in achieving developmental milestones.

Babies who are born to women with celiac diseases typically have a low birth weight.

Inadequate absorption of nutrients results in poor growth of the fetus in the womb, which contributes to long-term health concerns.

Most symptoms of celiac disease might be similar to pregnancy symptoms. However, some of the key indications of this condition include

A strict gluten-free diet is the key to managing celiac disease. Moreover, besides avoiding obvious sources of gluten, it is also important to identify the hidden gluten present in processed foods and medications.

Here’s what you should completely abstain from including in your diet.

Here’s some food that is naturally gluten-free to include in your diet.

In processed foods, gluten is hidden under several names, like malt, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, food starch, and dextrin. Therefore, carefully check the label for gluten-free certifications.

It is important to include foods rich in nutrients, such as folic acid, iron, calcium, and vitamin D, to ensure adequate nutrient intake. Don't forget to intake enough fiber from fruits, vegetables, and cereals. You can also seek recommendations from your dietician to manage celiac disease.

Celiac disease can be managed by an effective gluten-free diet. For pregnant women, it becomes even more important to avoid any health complications to both the baby and her health. If you notice any complications, seek your healthcare provider at the earliest.