Heartburn, Acid Reflux, and GERD During Pregnancy

Officially, heartburn is known as gastroesophageal reflux, when acidic stomach juices or food and fluids back up into the esophagus. This is a hollow muscular tube between your mouth and your stomach. Over-the-counter antacids may prove helpful in relieving your heartburn, but do not take antacids without speaking to your healthcare provider.

For the same reason, avoid filling up on liquids while eating — consume your fluids between meals. Both heartburn and indigestion are common conditions during pregnancy and require medical attention rarely. Symptoms tend to occur in bouts which come and go, than being present all the time rather.

Indigestion (dyspepsia) refers to several different symptoms, especially pain or discomfort in the top part of your tummy (abdomen). You may have other symptoms too, such as feeling sick, an acidic taste in your mouth and a burning pain in your chest (heartburn).

The interference with daily activities can lead to problems with interpersonal relationships also, with spouses especially. Most patients with functional disease live with their symptoms and infrequently visit physicians for diagnosis and treatment.

Contact your health care provider right to treat it away. If you are bothered by strong smells, eat foods cold or at room temperature to minimize or avoid odors that bother you. In the morning If nausea is a problem, eat dry foods like cereal, toast or crackers before getting out of bed. Try eating a high-protein snack such as lean meat or cheese before going to bed (protein takes longer to digest).

Magnesium could interfere with contractions during labor. When you have heartburn, or acid reflux, the LES relaxes enough to allow stomach acid to rise up into the esophagus. This can cause pain and burning in the chest area. Known as acid reflux Also, heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that occurs as a result of stomach acid rising up into the oesophagus.

These tests might reveal clues to non-gastrointestinal diseases. Sensitive stool testing (antigen/antibody) for Giardia lamblia would be reasonable because this parasitic infection is common and can be acute or chronic.

Avoid foods that cause you gas. These may include beans, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, and carbonated drinks. Don’t rule out whole classes of healthy foods, however, as beans and cruciferous vegetables are very nutritious.

  • This happens soon after eating or drinking usually, but there can sometimes be a delay between eating a meal and developing indigestion.

pregnant indigestion pain

To lessen these symptoms, eat smaller meals more frequently, remain sitting up a few hours after eating, and avoid foods that worsen the pain. Chocolate, tomatoes, oranges, and mint are common culprits of heartburn. The good news is, these symptoms usually resolve after your baby is born.

As many as 8 out of 10 women experience indigestion at some point during their pregnancy. Indigestion tends to become more common as the baby develops. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes. They can put pressure on your stomach, which can make the food youâ€™ve eaten move up into your esophagus.

pylori infection. For more information on H. pylori, see Causes of indigestion.

Shortness of Breath During Pregnancy

If you have severe indigestion or changes to your diet havenâ€™t helped, ask your GP, midwife or pharmacist for advice on medicines that are safe to take during pregnancy and right for your symptoms. If you have indigestion at night, try to eat your dinner at least three hours before you go to bed. Steer clear of foods that cause your indigestion to flare up. The usual suspects are rich, spicy foods, chocolate, fruit juices and fatty foods. You could try keeping a food diary to see which foods make your symptoms worse.

Should a reading is recorded by you of 2+ or greater at home, call your healthcare provider that very same day. You can buy your own blood pressure monitor at most pharmacies, and some of these stores have a monitor available for your use, though they aren’t always reliable. If you own your own monitor, have it calibrated with those used in your providerâ€™s office.

pregnant indigestion pain

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