Heartburn during pregnancy is one of the most common complaints experienced by most pregnant women. This condition certainly makes pregnant women uncomfortable and can reduce appetite. Therefore, it is important to know the causes of heartburn during pregnancy and the right way to deal with it.
Heartburn or dyspepsia can be experienced by anyone, including pregnant women. When experiencing heartburn, pregnant women will feel symptoms such as abdominal pain or heartburn and reduced appetite. This condition can also appear with other complaints, for example: morning sickness.
In addition to pain and burning in the pit of the heart, pregnant women can also feel other symptoms when heartburn recurs, such as:
- Bloated
- Heartburn
- Stomach feels full even though only eat a little
- Pain in the pit of the stomach to the area around the chest
- Frequent burping
- Nausea and vomiting
Causes of stomach ulcers during pregnancy
There are several things that can cause heartburn during pregnancy, including:
Hormonal changes
One of the causes of ulcers in pregnant women is rising levels of the hormone progesterone. These hormonal changes cause the lower esophageal muscles to weaken. The esophageal muscles are supposed to contract and close the passage between the esophagus and the stomach after the food has descended into the stomach.
However, during pregnancy, the esophageal muscles tend to weaken so that stomach acid easily rises into the esophagus. This is what causes pregnant women to experience heartburn more easily.
Fetal growth
The growing fetus is always accompanied by an increasing size of the uterus. This condition causes the uterus to press against the stomach, so that pregnant women can experience symptoms of heartburn.
How to Overcome Stomach Pain During Pregnancy
It is important for pregnant women to change their lifestyle to avoid heartburn symptoms that can recur at any time. Things that pregnant women can do are:
1. Pay attention to the food you eat
Heartburn can be caused by eating foods that can trigger ulcer symptoms to appear, such as spicy foods and oily or fatty foods. Not only food, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea, and soda can also trigger heartburn.
Therefore, pregnant women are recommended to avoid consuming these foods and drinks to prevent the risk of heartburn during pregnancy.
To overcome complaints of heartburn during pregnancy, pregnant women can try consuming ginger tea. Ginger is known to be good for consumption to overcome complaints of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
2. Stop smoking
Smoking can weaken the function of the muscle between the esophagus and stomach which should close when food enters the stomach. Thus, pregnant women are advised to stop smoking during pregnancy.
In addition, smoking can also harm pregnancy and the condition of the fetus. Smoking can increase the risk of low birth weight babies, premature birth, birth defects, and even miscarriage.
3. Adjust sleeping position
The wrong sleeping position during pregnancy can also cause heartburn symptoms to recur. When lying down or sleeping, try to place your head higher so that stomach acid does not easily rise.
Pregnant women can do this by using two pillows while sleeping. However, make sure the position is not too high and pregnant women still feel comfortable.
4. Adjust the sitting position
If pregnant women are used to sitting in a leaning position or bending over while eating, it's good to stop this habit. This is because such a sitting position can facilitate the rise of stomach acid. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to eat in an upright sitting position.
5. Change the wrong eating habits
Wrong eating habits can trigger heartburn during pregnancy, especially if pregnant women often eat late. Therefore, to relieve and prevent heartburn during pregnancy, try to eat smaller portions, but more often.
After eating, pregnant women should not go to sleep immediately. Give a gap of at least 2-3 hours between meals and bedtime.
If pregnant women have implemented the methods above, but their stomach ulcers do not improve, you should consult a doctor. Thus, the doctor can conduct an examination and determine the right treatment to relieve the symptoms of stomach ulcers that pregnant women experience.