Upset Stomach During Pregnancy

With the onset of pregnancy, come a plethora of common complaints, some serious and some not so serious. One such disorder that most pregnant women experience is, nausea and upset stomach during pregnancy. It is also believed that stomach problems is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy.

Morning sickness and an upset stomach (also referred to as dyspepsia) during pregnancy are often inter-related. A pregnant woman may experience digestion-related problems at any time, during day or night.

Though the reason for this health issue during pregnancy is not determined, some researchers suggest that this stomach problem may be caused due to a change in the levels of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in the body.

Since the functions of the digestive system during pregnancy slows down, the amount of stomach acid increases leading to dyspepsia. This digestive system disorder can be followed by other stomach ailments like constipation, heartburn, acid reflux disease (or GERD) and gas (also referred to as flatulence). Another reason is an increase in the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in the system. Nausea also triggers an upset stomach, and it can be a very annoying condition.

As mentioned earlier. suffering from dyspepsia can be quite annoying, especially if it affects during pregnancy. Along with several other changes that are common during pregnancy, a woman has to deal with an upset stomach, as well.

This condition exhibits some indications, observing which the intensity of tne disorder can be determined and prompt medical attention be sought. Here are some signs that are experienced by most of the pregnant women;

• The common symptoms are pain in the stomach, abdominal discomfort followed by a feeling of mild cramping.
• Bloating in stomach followed by discomfort caused due to accumulation of gas, constipation and flatulence is another sign of indigestion.

• Diarrhea and upset stomach often occur together due to problems related to indigestion.
• Heartburn may also be experienced as a result of stomach. This is because the acid from the stomach passes to the gullet, giving a burning sensation and burps.
• A feeling of full stomach, even after a small meal.
• Regurgitation, a condition where it feels as if the food is coming up, back from the stomach.

The root cause of an upset stomach may differ from individual to individual. Some of the disorders may be temporary, while some may be chronic. However, if you are pregnant, you must always consult your gynecologist or obstetrician, before taking any remedies or medicine for an upset stomach or any other ailment.

Your physician may advice the correct type of medications required to treat the disorder. Given below are some home remedies that are safe to be taken, and which do not produce any side effects;

• If you are suffering from mild constipation, drinking lots of diluted fruit juices, water and eating a fiber rich diet can relieve you from this disorder.

• Take ginger tea and herbal tea in limited amount in order to get relief.
• Chewing a few roasted cloves of garlic is an effective home remedy to get quick relief from gas and heartburn.

• Drink a glass of water in which half teaspoon of asafoetida has been dissolved after a heavy meal to treat upset stomach. You can also chew a teaspoon full of fenugreek seeds to soothe the alimentary canal and slow down the production of stomach acids.
• Avoid eating fried, fatty foods as they make digestive system sluggish.

• Also avoid eating foods that have strong, pungent flavors.
• The doctor may also prescribe certain medicines like antacids and simethicone for heartburn and gas pain respectively.

So if you are an expectant mother and experience stomach problems during pregnancy, don't panic, as it is just a part of morning sickness. Just keep yourself well hydrated by drinking lots of water and juices to avoid getting dehydrated. Have a safe and happy motherhood!