Indigestion is a common problem that most women experience during pregnancy. Medically known as dyspepsia, symptoms of indigestion appear due to the physical changes and hormonal fluctuations in the body during this period. It is often characterised by discomfort in the upper abdomen as well as stomach aches and can occur at any time during pregnancy, including the first trimester. However, it is more common starting from the last week of the second trimester—the 27th week.
While this pregnancy symptom isn’t harmful to your baby, it can be uncomfortable and painful for you, and can also lead to other common pregnancy-related symptoms such as nausea, bloating, and heartburn.
What Causes Indigestion During Pregnancy
There are a few reasons you may experience indigestion during pregnancy including, acid reflux hormonal fluctuation, and a growing baby.
- Acid reflux: This symptom is usually characterised by a strong burning sensation in your chest, after having a meal. It occurs when the relaxed muscles between the stomach and oesophagus push back the acids into the food pipe. This can cause indigestion and lead to discomfort in your abdomen and stomach.
- Hormonal fluctuations: During pregnancy, the level of progesterone hormones increases to support the baby’s development. This relaxes the muscles in your body, including the intestines, which further slows down metabolism, leading to indigestion.
- Growing fetus: In the later stages of pregnancy, your growing baby places pressure on your tummy, thus limiting the room to hold the food. Even a small meal can make you feel full and pressurise your intestines, affecting digestion.
Apart from the reasons described above, your risk of indigestion during pregnancy increases if you:
- Have gastrointestinal reflux disease
- Have had indigestion problems before pregnancy
- You are nearing the third trimester of pregnancy
- You perform physical activities soon after meals
- Eat fatty foods, drink caffeinated beverages, or have large meals
What Are The Symptoms Of Indigestion
The symptoms of indigestion vary from one woman to another and are usually experienced after a meal and may include the following:
- Stomach pain and uneasiness
- Burning sensation in the chest that ascends from the tummy
- Feeling of heaviness
- Discomfort during or after a meal
- Regurgitation
- Bloating
- Nausea and vomitting
The above symptoms do not remain persistent throughout the day but they are known to increase both in severity and frequency as you near the third trimester.
9 Ways To Relieve Indigestion During Pregnancy
There are several remedies that can be used to ease and prevent the unpleasant symptoms of indigestion during pregnancy. Although most of them haven’t been scientifically proven, many expecting mums find them helpful.
- Sit upright after a meal: This will avoid putting excess pressure on your stomach. Also, do not head to bed right after your meal. Sit up straight, and give some time before lying down, at least one to two hours. Sitting upright when you eat will also help ease digestion.
Image caption: Have smaller, well-balanced meals at frequent intervals
- Avoid having large meals: Instead of having three large meals a day, try including several small meals consisting of well-balanced foods. Also, make sure to eat your food slowly to allow optimum digestion.
- Say ‘No’ to fried and spicy foods: Spicy and fatty foods contain a lot of oil and sodium and that can make your digestion even worse. Even simple foods like fruit juices can affect your digestion sometimes. Maintain a diary with a list of foods that are making you uncomfortable and try to steer clear of them.
- Limit caffeinated drinks: Caffeine-infused beverages and energy drinks can aggravate indigestion. Consider drinking green tea or any other herbal tea to boost your energy. But remember to consult your doctor before including herbal teas in your diet.
- Adjust your sleeping position: It is advisable to sleep by elevating your head up with a couple of pillows. This will prevent the flow of the acids back into the food pipe and relieve indigestion symptoms that may appear at nighttime.
- Keep your glass of water aside while eating: Drinking water during a meal can intensify the symptoms of indigestion. Therefore, it’s recommended to drink water before or after you have finished your meal. If possible, have liquid and solid food separately.
- Include ginger in your diet: Ginger has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe gastrointestinal irritation. It can reduce the likelihood of the stomach acids flowing up to the oesophagus. You can take ginger either in toffee, tea, or raw form.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing: You should wear comfortable and loose clothing, especially around your waist. Tight clothing can put more pressure on your tummy, thereby making the symptoms of indigestion worse.
- De-stress before going to bed: Spend some time listening to music or meditating before bedtime. This can help you de-stress as well as lets you maintain a time gap of one to two hours between your meal and bedtime.
When To Seek Help From Your Doctor
Image caption: If your symptoms worsen, make sure to consult your doctor immediately
Indigestion and its related symptoms could be daunting, especially if you have never experienced them before pregnancy. If the above remedies do not work for you, and the symptoms get worse, seek your doctor’s help. Consult your doctor if you experience:
- Severe heartburn
- Trouble swallowing food
- Pain in the abdomen
- Black stools
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor will recommend an ideal course of treatment.
Indigestion during pregnancy is typical and seldom severe. Understanding its risk factors and taking necessary measures can help prevent the condition from worsening. Avoid healthy dietary habits and lifestyles to manage indigestion, and refrain from taking any medication before consulting your doctor.
