Many pregnant women complain of indigestion and heartburn, especially during the last trimester of pregnancy. If you are suffering from indigestion for the first time in your pregnancy, you may consider it a serious issue, however, it is not so. It is just another common sign of pregnancy and is not related to any serious problem.
What is indigestion?
Indigestion is more popularly known as having an upset stomach. You may feel bloated, gassy or very full if you are having indigestion trouble. The problem may be an accompaniment to heartburn. Heartburn is a burning sensation around the heart, in the chest region. This condition is not related to heart, contrary to the name. Both of these problems are more common during the last trimester of pregnancy.
What causes indigestion during pregnancy?
When you are pregnant, the muscles of the
digestive tract get relaxed due to the pregnancy hormones, particularly progesterone. The hormones slow down the movement of digested food in the intestines, and relax the valve in esophagus. Also, as the uterus expands, it puts pressure on the stomach. Due to this pressure, the food can sometimes get pushed back up into the food pipe. This condition normally occurs during the last trimester.
What can you do to prevent indigestion?
Indigestion is not a big issue to worry about, you can make use of these mentioned tips to reduce the discomfort:
1. Instead of having a few heavy meals during the day, break the diet into a number of smaller meals. Have 5 to 6 healthy meals in a day instead of 3 heavy meals.
2. The food should not be too oily or spicy. Include fresh fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, dairy products and a variety of cereals in your diet. Avoid vegetables that produce gas, like cabbage and broccoli.
3. Do not sleep immediately after having a meal. Wait for at least one to two hours after eating before going to bed.
4. During the day, walk around and do light household chores after having a meal. Give your body a chance to digest the food.
5. Whenever you lie down, always keep the upper part of your body slightly elevated by using few pillows.
6. Do not gulp down a lot of water in between your meals. Take smaller, less frequent sips.
7. Cut off chocolate and caffeine. Both of these items can also trigger heartburn. Opt for herbal drinks and juice instead of sodas, colas, coffee and tea.
8. Keep your body hydrated. Drink lot of water. Coconut water, lemonade, ginger ale, buttermilk are some other ideal options for a pregnant woman.
9. Wear loose and comfortable clothes so that there is no pressure on the tummy or abdominal area.
10. Avoid taking unnecessary stress. Practice relaxation exercise and mediation in tiresome situations to maintain your peace of mind.
If you can stick to these 10 vital tips, you will be able to keep indigestion at bay during pregnancy.