Stomach Ulcer During Pregnancy – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments

Stomach Ulcer During Pregnancy

Image: Shutterstock


Do you often experience a burning sensation in the stomach during pregnancy? Does the sensation lead to side effects like nausea or vomiting? If you nodded along solemnly, you might want to visit your doctor. You might be suffering from Peptic Ulcer Disease. To learn more about peptic or stomach ulcer during pregnancy, scroll down and read the post below.

What Is A Stomach Ulcer?

A stomach ulcer occurs when the mucus lining of the intestine or stomach erodes. The erosion affects acids of the stomach, and damages the stomach walls. Apart from Stomach Ulcer, there are certain other disorders related to the digestive system that are common during pregnancy.

The most common gastrointestinal diseases during pregnancy are as follows:

  1. Vomiting and Nausea
  1. Gastroesophageal Reflux
  1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  1. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of pregnancy. Also, symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common disease in women who are expecting. However, stomach ulcer disease occurs less frequently in pregnant ladies and has fewer complications.

[ Read: Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome During Pregnancy ]

Causes Of Stomach Ulcer During Pregnancy

There is no determinable cause of the stomach ulcer. An ulcer occurs due to an imbalance between digestive juices in the stomach and duodenum. Also, ulcers occur due to a bacterial infection called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

Symptoms Of Stomach Ulcer During Pregnancy

Here are some of the symptoms of a stomach ulcer in pregnancy:

  1. Nausea and vomiting
  1. Bloating
  1. Heartburn
  1. Severe pain in the middle or upper part of abdomen.
  1. Dark or black coloured stools due to bleeding.
  1. Weight loss

Diagnosing Stomach Ulcer During Pregnancy

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy isn’t just a big word. It is the term for the diagnosis of Stomach Ulcer Disease during pregnancy. However, the method is only used when the symptoms are severe. Also, when there are PUD-associated complications viz. Haemorrhages or Gastric outlet obstruction, this diagnosis works best.

Treating Stomach Ulcers During Pregnancy

If you are suffering from Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) during pregnancy, then your doctor will suggest some treatment options listed here:

  1. Antacids are commonly used for the treatment of PUD as they are considered safe during pregnancy.
  1. However, antacids containing bicarbonate are not prescribed by the doctors. The reason for this is that they are harmful to both mother and foetus as they can precipitate metabolic alkalosis in both.
  1. Rather, your doctor will prescribe you antacids containing Magnesium, Calcium or Aluminium that too in normal doses, required for a therapy.
  1. Magnesium or Calcium-containing antacids do not cause any congenital anomalies in the newborn babies.

[ Read: Home Remedies To Cure Heartburn During Pregnancy ]

Preventing Stomach Ulcer During Pregnancy

1. Avoid Certain Foods:

If you are suffering from Peptic Ulcer Disease while pregnant, then you should avoid food that aggravates the disorder. Here are some food items that you should avoid if you have PUD or if it is suspected:

[ Read: Effects Of Caffeine During Pregnancy ]

2. Medication:

If you are pregnant and suffering from Peptic Ulcer Disease, then avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDS, as they are harmful to you as well as your growing baby.

3. Avoid Alcohol:

Consuming alcohol is harmful for your growing baby. However, if you have a PUD, then it is all the more necessary that you avoid alcohol consumption as it will further deteriorate your digestive system.

3. Quit Smoking:

Smoking is harmful to your lungs as well as for your developing fetus if you are pregnant. Also, if you are suffering from Peptic ulcer disease during pregnancy, then quit smoking or else it might lead to nasty complications and affect your unborn baby.

Did you also suffer from Stomach or peptic ulcer during pregnancy? What treatment did your doctor suggest? Share your story with other mommies-to-be. Drop a comment below.

Recommended Articles:

Was this information helpful?


FaceBook Pinterest Twitter Featured Image

Leave a Reply
