Indigestion During pregnancy

Indigestion during pregnancy can't totally be avoided. As painful and as uncomfortable as it is to deal with, there are so many causes of indigestion for pregnant mothers. In addition, it is natural for a mother to feel this kind of discomfort during the conception period, more especially during the late trimesters of pregnancy.

A common condition among mothers, indigestion is often undiagnosed and mistreated. Due to the lack of awareness among the community of how to properly deal with this condition, mothers who are undergoing first-time pregnancy often have no one to turn to. They instead try to endure the discomfort until it passes, which it usually does after a time.


However, when indigestion during pregnancy is left untreated, it can become worse over time. At first, one or two of the following symptoms may be present. In the later stages and if recurrence is frequent, all of the symptoms can be seen in the pregnant mom. Among the symptoms are heartburn, pain in the upper and lower chest, pain in the upper abdomen, bloating, sense of fullness, burping, flatulence, diarrhea and nausea. Although diarrhea is less common, it's a strong indicator that something is not working right in the digestive system.

The primary cause of indigestion during pregnancy is purely hormonal. During pregnancy, the body releases extra hormones to soften the muscles in the stomach. This is necessary for the mother's belly to be flexible and accommodate a child. Indigestion among mothers is caused by this hormonal change.

The extra hormones make pregnancy less painful for the mother. Ironically, these hormones also make the acids in the stomach to rise up the esophagus, causing heartburn and indigestion. This is more common among mothers in their second and third trimesters. Another possible cause is the size of the growing fetus inside the mother. The size pushes the contents of the stomachs farther upward, making it less convenient for the metabolic system. Eating too fast and overeating can lead to indigestion. Take note that all other causes of indigestion apply to pregnant mothers, as well. For instance, changes in eating habits can cause this problem.

The most server cases are often accompanied by digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea and IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome, especially the part where the mother becomes constipated, can lead to serious complications when left untreated. For instance, diarrhea can lead to dehydration and constipation can lead to fecal impaction. Dehydration during pregnancy is very risky for both the mother and the child. Surgical removal of the impacted mass after extended periods of constipation is unquestionably dangerous for the baby.