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When the phrase pregnancy pops into our minds, we all imagine one of the happiest moments of parents’ lives. Is there anything more unique and spiritually rewarding than the gift of becoming a parent of a whole new life?
The pregnancy period is decorated with surprises and thrilling feelings, but it is also packed with uncertainties and problems.
There are lots of stories to be told, but today, we wish to focus on the most common problems women encounter and go through together to create the awareness needed to fight them. My purview for this article is to convey that the common issues are Indigestion and Heartburn.
1. Understanding Indigestion and Heartburn
Indigestion is an issue related to a body’s digestive system. It leads to stomach problems caused by unhealthy eating habits. It is a distressful-impending feeling that results in bloating, uneasiness, and nausea. People often consider indigestion and heartburn to go hand-in-hand. But having indigestion doesn’t always mean heartburn, whereas heartburn is a clear symptom of indigestion.
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the upper chest that often feels like a heart attack because of severe pain and discomfort. It mainly happens when the excessive acid present in the stomach travels back to the esophagus, causing irritation and difficulty eating or drinking, thus disrupting one’s day.
There have been certain researches that show that more than 80% of women face heartburn and acid reflux problems during their pregnancy.
2. Why Do Heartburn and Indigestion Happen in Pregnancy?
There are various causes:-
- Disturbance of the Lower esophageal Sphincter (LES)– The lower esophageal sphincter, which is located at the joining of the esophagus and stomach and allows the passage of food from the food pipe (esophagus) to the stomach is called LES (lower esophageal sphincter). This happens because progesterone, another pregnancy hormone, often makes the sphincter open more comprehensively. As a result, the acid can move up, causing irritation and the burning effect that is felt in the chest.
- Hormonal Changes- Progesterone and estrogen are among several hormones that change all through the term, and this can lead to the compensation of food digestion, which causes food-related issues. So, additional entry of carbons into the body contributes to the production of the extra acids and disrupts the body’s stomach pH balance. As a result, it becomes difficult to eat food or consume drinks making the person weak and tired.
- Increased Pressure on Stomach- During the second and third trimesters, when the baby keeps growing, it puts a lot of pressure on the stomach and pushes the esophagus above its actual position, causing the upper chest to become completely attached to it. Thus, the acid drips repeatedly into the mouth, causing a sour taste and foul smell.
- Consuming food that is high in acid and spicy can also cause heartburn happen too often. The food disturbs the lining of the esophagus and puts extreme pressure on the esophagus muscles to digest it and neutralize the body’s pH.
3. Symptoms
These are some signs to look out for in pregnant women if they feel indigestion or heartburn:
- A feeling of itching and stinging in the chest.
- Sense of bloating
- Constant burping
- Feeling nausea or dizziness
- Difficulty in breathing
- Regurgitation
4. Treatment
Every woman has a different pregnancy journey, and their body reacts differently. Some might not experience any of the above symptoms; on the other hand, many women could suffer unbearable pain. Therefore, it is advised to refer to a doctor if the symptoms of indigestion and heartburn are extreme.
Doctors recommend antacids such as TUMS and MAALOX as the most common and effective medicines. These help neutralize the excessive acid in the stomach and thus maintain the body’s pH level.
Furthermore, it is better to follow medical care under the directions of the respective doctor and only then consume the medicines mentioned above. This is a crucial situation as it deals with the responsibility of not only one but two lives, so it should be handled thoughtfully.
5. Some Home Remedies and Life-Changing Tips
- It is vital to ensure that consumption levels are maintained in smaller proportions. So, eat moderately filling meals at small intervals throughout the day.
- It is better to avoid sleeping or taking naps right after completing a meal and even refrain from lying down immediately.
- Dehydrating for pregnant women is harmful both for her and the baby. Consistent hydration is necessary in between meals.
- Sleeping pattern- It is preferable to sleep on the left side and put more than one pillow under the head for a better position.
- Take specific light exercises like walking, cycling, and prenatal yoga stretches.
- Eat readily available foods like yogurt, lukewarm milk with honey, sugar-free gum, and a little ginger extract.
- Avoid the following:
- Eating after 7 pm and any late-night cravings
- fruits like tomatoes, oranges, and grapes
- consuming caffeine-related products such as energy drinks, tea, and coffee
- liquor and smoking, or anything similarly hazardous to health
- acting on the spicy cravings
6. Take Away
Heartburn is one of the most common problems that almost every woman faces in their pregnancy. There have been studies presenting the premise that the rate of heartburn in the first trimester is 22% and 39% in the second trimester, and it is between 60-72% in the last.
These numbers rightly tell us how severely these problems can affect women. Thus, they should obediently attend all scheduled appointments without exceptions. Also, it can be minimized by keeping the points mentioned earlier in mind and ensuring a positive outlook during the pregnancy journey.
Therefore, indigestion and heartburn are not severe and can be relieved under proper doctors’ supervision and medical attention.
Last Updated on by Dr. Lehri Srivastava
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