Bloating and heartburn early pregnancy
Indigestion and heartburn in pregnancy
Indigestion, also called heartburn or acid reflux, is common in pregnancy. It can be caused by hormonal changes and the growing baby pressing against your stomach.
You can help ease indigestion and heartburn by making changes to your diet and lifestyle, and there are medicines that are safe to take in pregnancy.
Symptoms of indigestion and heartburn
Symptoms of indigestion and heartburn include:
- a burning sensation or pain in the chest
- feeling full, heavy or bloated
- burping or belching
- feeling or being sick
- bringing up food
Symptoms usually come on soon after eating or drinking, but there can sometimes be a delay between eating and developing indigestion.
You can get symptoms at any point during your pregnancy, but they are more common from 27 weeks onwards.
Things you can do to help with indigestion and heartburn
Changes to your diet and lifestyle may be enough to control your symptoms, particularly if they are mild.
Eat healthily
You're more likely to get indigestion if you're very full.
If you're pregnant, it may be tempting to eat more than you would normally, but this may not be good for you or your baby.
Find out more about a healthy diet in pregnancy and foods to avoid.
Change your eating and drinking habits
You may be able to control your indigestion with changes to your eating habits.
It can help to eat small meals often, rather than larger meals 3 times a day, and to not eat within 3 hours of going to bed at night.
Cutting down on drinks containing caffeine, and foods that are rich, spicy or fatty, can also ease symptoms.
Keep upright
Sit up straight when you eat. This will take the pressure off your stomach. Propping your head and shoulders up when you go to bed can stop stomach acid coming up while you sleep.
Stop smoking
Smoking when pregnant can cause indigestion, and can seriously affect the health of you and your unborn baby.
When you smoke, the chemicals you inhale can contribute to your indigestion. These chemicals can cause the ring of muscle at the lower end of your gullet to relax, which allows stomach acid to come back up more easily. This is known as acid reflux.
Smoking also increases the risk of:
- your baby being born prematurely (before week 37 of your pregnancy)
- your baby being born with a low birthweight
- sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or "cot death"
There's lots of help available to stop smoking. Talk to your midwife or call the NHS Smokefree helpline on 0300 123 1044. Find out more about stopping smoking in pregnancy.
Avoid alcohol
Drinking alcohol can cause indigestion. During pregnancy, it can also lead to long-term harm to the baby. It's safest to not drink alcohol at all in pregnancy.
Find out more about alcohol and pregnancy
When to get medical help
See your midwife or GP if you need help managing your symptoms or if changes to your diet and lifestyle do not work. They may recommend medicine to ease your symptoms.
You should also see your midwife or GP if you have any of the following:
- difficulty eating or keeping food down
- weight loss
- stomach pains
Your midwife or GP may ask about your symptoms and examine you by pressing gently on different areas of your chest and stomach to see whether it's painful.
If you're taking prescription medicines
Speak to your GP if you're taking medicine for another condition, such as antidepressants, and you think it may be making your indigestion worse. They may be able to prescribe an alternative medicine.
Never stop taking a prescribed medicine unless you're advised to do so by your GP or another qualified healthcare professional who's responsible for your care.
Medicines for indigestion and heartburn
Medicines for indigestion and heartburn during pregnancy include:
- antacids – to neutralise the acid in your stomach (some are available over the counter from a pharmacist)
- alginates – to relieve indigestion caused by acid reflux by stopping the acid in your stomach coming back up your gullet
You may only need to take antacids and alginates when you start getting symptoms. However, your GP may recommend taking them before symptoms come on – for example, before a meal or before bed.
If you're taking iron supplements as well as antacids, do not take them at the same time. Antacids can stop iron from being absorbed by your body.
If antacids and alginates do not improve your symptoms, your GP may prescribe a medicine to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. 2 that are widely used in pregnancy and not known to be harmful to an unborn baby are:
- ranitidine – a tablet you take twice a day
- omeprazole – a tablet you take once a day
Causes of indigestion in pregnancy
Symptoms of indigestion come when the acid in your stomach irritates your stomach lining or your gullet. This causes pain and a burning feeling.
When you're pregnant, you're more likely to have indigestion because of:
- hormonal changes
- the growing baby pressing on your stomach
- the muscles between your stomach and gullet relaxing, allowing stomach acid to come back up
You may be more likely to get indigestion in pregnancy if:
- you had indigestion before you were pregnant
- you've been pregnant before
- you're in the later stages of pregnancy
Video: Eating well on a budget
In this video, a dietitian gives advice on how to eat healthily on a budget.
Media last reviewed: 13 January 2021
Media review due: 13 January 2024
Heartburn, gas, tender breasts, and more
Think you might be pregnant? Here are the most common pregnancy signs in the first month.
When you’re hoping to be pregnant and you haven’t missed your period yet—or it’s a day or two late—it’s pretty easy to interpret nearly any physical symptom as a sign of pregnancy. It’s not uncommon to feel symptoms in the first week or two of your pregnancy—or even earlier. “Some women experience pregnancy symptoms from the moment of conception,” says Karen Nordahl, a general practitioner and obstetrician in Vancouver and co-author of Fit to Deliver. “Usually, this is second- or third-time moms who remember a particular sensation, such as increased gas.” But many first-time moms miss these early pregnancy signs because the very first symptoms aren’t necessarily the ones we associate with having a baby on the way. So, yes, while some women experience nausea or hypersensitivity to smells, these seven symptoms are among the most common during the first few weeks of pregnancy.
1. Pregnancy sign: HeartburnDigestive changes are one of the most common early pregnancy signs, says Nordahl. If you feel a burning sensation in your chest after scarfing down your usual black coffee and egg-salad sandwich from the deli near your office, it might not be that the deli changed the recipe to include green onions or switched coffee brands; it could actually be pregnancy-related heartburn. One telltale sign of heartburn is that the burning sensation can feel worse when you bend over or lie down. It’s safe to reach for an antacid to relieve the burning, but also try to avoid certain foods, such as citrus fruits.
2. Pregnancy sign: Sore breastsBefore you start cursing your bra for suddenly feeling more like a contraption from the hardware store than the lacy lingerie that took a serious chunk out of your paycheque, consider that your newly sore boobs could be a sign that you’re pregnant. Breast tenderness is another common early pregnancy sign, according to Nordahl. For many women, what can make this symptom particularly confusing is that breast soreness is also a very common sign of your period. But early on in your pregnancy, your breasts may hurt because they’re expanding in preparation for producing milk.
3. Pregnancy sign: Increased gasBeing gassy—or, less eloquently, “farty”—is no problem when you’re chillaxing alone in your threadbare sweatpants, but it’s next-level horrifying when you’re out and about anywhere else. Unfortunately, it’s one of the more common early pregnancy signs. Expect flatulence during not only the first few weeks of pregnancy but also the next nine months. Inevitably, your unruly gas will strike right in the middle of a work meeting or during a cool-down in your silent yoga class.
4. Pregnancy sign: BloatingCan’t zip up those light-wash jeans that fit like a glove a few weeks ago? It could be that extra-large soda and popcorn you inhaled while transfixed on the onscreen hunk at the cinema last night, but it could also be a sign that you’re expecting. Like breast tenderness, abdominal bloating is a symptom that’s common before your period, making it hard to tell apart from monthly premenstrual symptoms. The usual tactic to fight extra bloating and constipation is to ease up on excess salt and stay hydrated with water, both of which are good habits, whether you’re pregnant or not. But you might also want to buy a pregnancy test.
5. Pregnancy sign: Lower pelvic crampingPelvic cramping as an early pregnancy sign? Yep, it can be, according to Nordahl. That might seem counterintuitive, as cramps are super-typical symptoms of Aunt Flow. You were probably hoping that being pregnant meant you could kiss cramps goodbye, but sadly that’s not the case. Light cramps can be caused by early pregnancy hormonal shifts and implantation of the fertilized egg on your uterine lining.
6. Pregnancy sign: FullnessThe unusual sensation of feeling “full” is yet another early symptom of pregnancy. “Fullness can be experienced before a period is missed, but a first-time mom may miss it,” says Nordahl. “A second- or third-time mom may pick up on it right away, especially if she is actively trying to conceive.” If you’re getting a feeling of déjà vu from previous pregnancies that you’re experiencing at the gut level (literally), congrats, you could be preggo!
7. Pregnancy sign: A missed periodWell, duh, of course a missed period is the most common of early pregnancy signs. For many women who haven’t been pregnant before, this is usually the first symptom they notice, explains Nordahl. But hindsight is often 20/20. “A first-time mom usually thinks back and realizes that a few things were different but wasn’t sure what they meant,” she says.
Read more:
Due date calculator
Pregnancy by week: Follow along as your baby grows
Pregnancy food guide
See more on Getting Pregnant
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Toxemia, Intestinal Problems, and Heartburn
Find out how pregnancy affects your digestive tract, which trimesters are more likely to cause indigestion and nausea, and what to do to manage them.
During pregnancy, the burden on the mother's body increases. The body needs more nutrients, the body produces additional hormones. And the growing fetus puts pressure on neighboring organs, including the stomach and intestines. We tell you what symptoms are observed in each trimester, how to cope with toxicosis and get rid of heartburn.
Contents:
- 2. Toxicosis and pregnancy
- 3. Causes, risks and treatment of diarrhea during pregnancy
- 4. Heartburn and stomach pain during pregnancy
- 5. Bloating, constipation and microbiota during pregnancy
- 6. Note
Changes in the work of the gastrointestinal tract by trimesters of pregnancy
The average duration of pregnancy is 40 weeks, which are usually divided into trimesters in accordance with the stages of intrauterine development of the child.
Each trimester is accompanied by a number of changes in the body, including in the gastrointestinal tract:
The first trimester 1–13 weeks | 900 26 weeks | Third trimester of pregnancy 27–40 weeks |
Morning sickness Morning sickness Zapor Intestinal disorder increased appetite TREAM to certain products Acid reflux | Constipation Acid Office 9000 9000 9000 9000 Flatulence Constipation Heartburn Violation of the outflow of bile Hemorrhoids |
The Atlas Genetic Test will help you find out how your genes affect the level of female sex hormones necessary for fertility and pregnancy.
Causes of gastrointestinal problems during pregnancy
Every pregnancy is accompanied by inevitable changes in the functioning of the digestive system. They are most often caused by hormonal changes and increased stress on organs, but they can also be associated with lifestyle and health conditions, for example:
- Sedentary lifestyle and unbalanced diet;
- Certain drugs, including calcium or aluminum antacids;
- Viral and bacterial infections;
- Intolerance to certain nutrients and allergic reactions;
- Stress;
- Diseases of the thyroid gland.
If you have chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and you are planning a pregnancy, try to consult your doctor in advance. Symptoms of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or acid reflux are more likely to get worse during pregnancy. Your doctor will help prepare your body and create a prevention plan to help relieve symptoms during this time.
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a functional bowel disease that causes frequent abdominal pain, impaired peristalsis, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.
Morning sickness, vomiting and general malaise during pregnancy
Morning sickness and morning sickness during early pregnancy are common, because the body undergoes important changes necessary for the development of the child.
up to 90%
women experience nausea during pregnancy
Doctors find it difficult to say with certainty why pregnant women feel sick in the morning. The main theory is hormonal changes. But there are some patterns associated with an increased risk of morning sickness:
- Multiple pregnancy;
- Toxicosis during previous pregnancy;
- History of morning sickness during pregnancy in close relatives;
- Tendency to motion sickness in transport;
- Use of oral contraceptives containing estrogen before pregnancy;
- Frequent migraines;
- BMI 30 and above;
- Elevated levels of stress hormones
Risks of severe morning sickness and how to reduce nausea
Nausea and vomiting are usually not associated with a risk for mother and child and disappear by 16-20 weeks of pregnancy, but it is not necessary to wait so long - there are ways that can help reduce nausea and enjoy the process of waiting for a new person:
- Get plenty of rest - fatigue increases toxicosis;
- Avoid smells and foods that cause nausea;
- Eat something right after waking up. A toast or a slice of bread will help reduce nausea;
- Avoid hunger - empty stomach increases nausea. Eat small meals often, prefer low-fat, high-carbohydrate foods;
- Try ginger - studies show it helps with nausea;
- Sip as often as possible and prefer still water.
In rare cases, pregnant women may develop hyperemesis gestationis or excessive vomiting. This is a serious condition that can lead to dehydration, kidney damage, seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, and even death.
Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, dizziness, dark urine, infrequent urination and/or dizziness.
Symptoms of excessive pregnancy vomiting:
- frequent nausea for a long time and regular vomiting after meals;
- dry skin and lips;
- sudden weight loss;
- low blood pressure (below 90/60).
If symptoms of excessive pregnancy vomiting occur, do not wait until the condition resolves on its own. It is necessary to seek medical help as soon as possible - the doctor will prescribe treatment, help adjust the diet and lifestyle of the expectant mother.
0.5–2%
pregnant women experience excessive vomiting
Diarrhea in pregnancy
The word "diarrhea" comes from the Greek language and literally means "to flow through". This is a condition during which bowel movements or bowel movements occur three times a day or more often. This phenomenon is especially typical for the third trimester of pregnancy, but it can also occur earlier.
Symptoms of diarrhea:
- Three or more bowel movements per day
- Urgent urge to have a bowel movement
- Abdominal pain and cramps
- Bloating
Causes of diarrhea during pregnancy poisoning, dysbacteriosis, bacterial and viral infections:
Gastroenteritis | Use of lactose and gluten in case of intolerance to these nutrients |
Bacterial infections: listeriosis or salmonella | Chronic gastrointestinal diseases: Crohn's disease, IBS, ulcerative colitis |
Certain antibiotics and antacids to reduce acidity | Laxatives |
Sugar substitutes such as sorbitol | Overconsumption of certain foods |
Tip: If you have recently returned from a vacation in an exotic country with nausea and diarrhea and find out you are pregnant, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Gastroenteritis
One common cause of diarrhea during pregnancy is gastroenteritis or stomach flu. It is caused by bacterial or viral infections: norovirus, rotavirus, E. coli, salmonella, which enter the body through contact with contaminated surfaces, dishes, food and water.
Gastroenteritis usually lasts about three days. However, severe illness is a health hazard, especially during pregnancy, as it can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and lead to preterm labor.
The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are diarrhea without blood, nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps and pain, slight fever, headache and muscle pain.
Take extra precautions to reduce your risk of getting sick: frequent handwashing and surface disinfection. If the expectant mother has small children, they are not recommended to use the same cutlery.
Risks of diarrhea during pregnancy
Usually diarrhea during pregnancy is not a cause for concern. However, you should consult a doctor if the following symptoms occur during this period:
- Diarrhea for more than two days;
- Blood or mucus stools;
- Sudden weight loss;
- Pain in the abdomen;
- Dehydration.
How to treat diarrhea during pregnancy
If you have diarrhea during pregnancy, drink plenty of fluids, avoid foods high in fat and sugar, avoid dairy products, and caffeinated drinks.
Dehydration is a serious risk, especially during pregnancy, so electrolyte balance should be restored first with fluids and simple foods:
Moderate fruit juices | Drinks without alcohol and caffeine |
Bananas | Potato |
Rice | Toast |
Rusks | Light soups and broths |
Pasta | Applesauce |
Find out about your body's ability to break down lactose and gluten with the Atlas Microbiota Test.
Stomach pain and heartburn during pregnancy
Many women experience stomach pain during pregnancy, especially in the upper part of the stomach, as well as heartburn - a burning sensation in the chest and esophagus.
This is more common in the third trimester, after about 27 weeks. This is an unpleasant but natural phenomenon during pregnancy: the baby grows inside the uterus and presses on other organs, including the stomach. And hormones cause the muscles to relax, which causes acid from the stomach to enter the esophagus and irritate it. In addition, pain can be caused by problems with certain organs such as the gallbladder, or inflammation of the pancreas.
Symptoms of heartburn during pregnancy:
- Burning in chest and esophagus;
- Feeling of overeating, heaviness or bloating;
- Belching, including with acid and/or food particles;
- Nausea.
It is unlikely that you will be able to avoid cramps and heartburn during pregnancy. However, some tips can help reduce their frequency:
Nutrition : try to avoid overeating - eat easily digestible food in small portions; do not eat three hours before bedtime; watch your posture while eating - so the pressure on your stomach will be less.
Smoking and alcohol: In addition to known harms to mothers and babies, tobacco smoke also relaxes the muscles in the lower esophagus, allowing acid to enter the esophagus. And alcohol provokes heartburn and acid reflux.
Although stomach pain and heartburn often accompany pregnancy, abdominal pain, especially in the third trimester, should be taken seriously. It can be a sign of preterm labor or placental abruption, and puts mother and baby at risk.
If you experience severe abdominal pain during pregnancy that is accompanied by the following symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible:
Abdominal pain and fever | Bleeding |
Regular convulsions | Unusual vaginal discharge / spotting |
Vomiting | Low back pain |
Pain or burning when urinating | Severe pain that lasts 30-60 minutes |
Bloating, constipation and microbiota during pregnancy
Excessive gas and constipation during pregnancy can be caused by hormonal changes, such as increased production of progesterone. This hormone, essential for nourishing the uterus and fetus, relaxes the muscles of the body, including the muscles in the intestines, which slows down digestion and increases flatulence. A similar reaction of the body can be observed before each menstruation, when the production of progesterone increases.
Flatulence - bloating of the abdomen due to the accumulation of gases.
Here are a few simple rules that will help improve bowel movements and avoid constipation and bloating:
- If you don't usually eat a lot of fiber and indigestible foods like legumes, try to gradually introduce them into your diet;
- Avoid carbonated drinks and fatty foods;
- Move more;
- Drink plenty of fluids.
If bloating and constipation are accompanied by severe pain that lasts more than 30 minutes, or if you have been constipated for two or more weeks, see your doctor.
Gut microbiota and bacteria during pregnancy
A woman's body goes through many changes during pregnancy, and this can affect the microbiota, the bacterial ecosystem that lives in the gut. Trillions of microorganisms do important work for the whole body: they synthesize vitamins and essential acids, keep your intestines working and protect it from disease and inflammation.
The additional influx of female hormones that accompanies pregnancy alters gut function and affects the microbiota. This is good, because the bacterial community is constantly adjusting to external and internal conditions in order to keep up with the needs of the body.
To keep your gut bacteria running smoothly, they need your help. Provide them with healthy foods and plant fibers. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds contain prebiotics, special substances that beneficial bacteria feed on. When properly balanced, the bacteria even increase your body's defenses against harmful microorganisms that can cause gastroenteritis during pregnancy.
The Atlas Microbiota Test will help you understand how to prepare your intestines for future pregnancy and reduce the risk of digestive problems.
☝️ Take note
Now you have all the necessary knowledge and tools to help you deal with digestive problems during pregnancy. They are quite varied and quite natural, but in some cases it is necessary to immediately seek medical help:
- Vomiting blood;
- Blood in stool;
- Diarrhea for more than two days;
- Constipation for more than two weeks;
- Sudden weight loss;
- Severe pain interfering with daily activities;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Pain when swallowing or difficulty swallowing;
- Excessive fatigue.
More articles on the causes of digestive problems in the blog:
- 7 foods that cause gas and bloating
- Lindsey J Wegrzyniak, Treatment of Hyperemesis Gravidarum, 2012
- Edwards A. et al., The Maternal Gut Microbiome During Pregnancy, 2018
- National Health and Safety (NHS), Vomiting and morning sickness in pregnancy
- Kudzai Kanhutu, Travel and pregnancy: an infectious diseases perspective, 2011
- CDC, Pregnant travelers
- U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for healthcare research and quality, Abdominal Pain in Early Pregnancy
- Robyn Horsager-Boehrer, M.D., UT Southwestern Medical Center, Should pregnant moms be concerned about gastroenteritis?, 2018
- International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Pregnancy and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, 2016
- NHS Vomiting and morning sickness in pregnancy
- NHS, Severe vomiting in pregnancy
- Lindsey J Wegrzyniak et al., Treatment of Hyperemesis Gravidarum, 2012
- Karen Miles, Diarrhea during pregnancy, 2020
- Cleveland Clinic, Diarrhea
- You and your hormones, Progesterone
- Traci C. Johnson, MD, Pregnancy, Bloating, 2020
A delicate question. Intestinal problems during pregnancy
It's no secret that during pregnancy women have to deal with all sorts of ailments: toxicosis, convulsions, increased urination, and frequent unmotivated mood swings. .. All the organs and systems of the expectant mother experience an increased load. It is not easy for the digestive system.
The most common problems during pregnancy in this area include constipation, hemorrhoids, heartburn, as well as indigestion and associated bloating, diarrhea, increased gas production, discomfort and pain. Even if the overtaken disease does not pose a danger to the health of mother and baby, it can deliver a lot of discomfort, significantly reducing the quality of life. And that means you can’t let ailments take their own course!
Constipation
Medically, constipation is defined as the absence of stool for three or more days. The act of defecation in this case, as a rule, is difficult, accompanied by painful sensations. Frequent companions of constipation can be pain in the abdomen, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the intestines, bloating, nausea, bitterness in the mouth.
Where is the problem? One of the reasons provoking violations of the natural bowel movement is hormonal changes in the body. The hormone progesterone, against which pregnancy proceeds, has a relaxing effect on the muscles of the intestine, which helps to slow down the movement of feces. Over time, the growing uterus begins to put pressure on the intestines, which impairs its motor function, further exacerbating the problem. Malnutrition also contributes - it is known that during this period, expectant mothers change their taste preferences, and their appetite increases. Experts do not deny the psychological nature of constipation. The fears that expectant mothers are subject to, an unstable emotional background can also contribute to the development of constipation.
What to do? The main method of dealing with constipation should be the correction of the diet. In no case should you allow large intervals between meals, as well as overeating. It is mandatory to include daily in your diet products that enhance intestinal motility: bread with bran, raw vegetables and fruits (especially apples, carrots, pumpkin), dried fruits, buckwheat, barley and oatmeal, meat with a lot of connective tissue, dairy products containing bifidobacteria. It is important to ensure adequate fluid intake in the body. Preference should be given to non-carbonated drinking water, as well as non-clarified juices with pulp rich in fiber (apricot, peach, etc.). In the morning on an empty stomach it is useful to drink a glass of raw cold water with the addition of a spoonful of honey.
Avoid foods that cause constipation. These include flour, sweet, salty, spicy, smoked, fried, etc. It is recommended to exclude from the diet foods that cause increased gas formation: legumes, cabbage, onions, garlic, radishes, radishes, apple and grape juices.
Please note that laxatives are rarely prescribed during pregnancy, as by increasing intestinal motility they can tone the uterus. However, in some cases it is better to resort to medical treatment than to suffer from constant constipation that threatens to lead to the development of hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are varicose veins in the anus. According to statistics, more than 50% of expectant mothers have to face this problem during pregnancy.
The main symptoms of this unpleasant pathology include mucous discharge, pain, burning, itching and discomfort in the anus. There may also be pain during bowel movements, the appearance of blood in the feces.
The clinical manifestations of the disease also depend on its stage. At the 1st stage, a woman, as a rule, does not bother anything, hemorrhoids do not come out or come out a little when straining. At the 2nd stage, the nodes come out when straining, but they are independently set back. When the disease is started before the 3rd stage, hemorrhoids come out and do not go back.
If a woman does not have any complaints, then during an external examination, the doctor can only diagnose hemorrhoids of the 2nd stage, since only then is the inflammatory process visible. To make a diagnosis at the 1st stage of the disease, the doctor relies on the patient's complaints and examination of the rectum.
Where is the problem? Well, of course, hormones are to blame again! All the same hormones of the progesterone series have an antispasmodic effect: they relax all organs, including veins. In addition, during pregnancy, the blood supply to the uterus increases, and, as a result, blood flow to the pelvic area. Yes, and the gradual growth of the fetus contributes to the fact that its head presses on the vessels and impairs blood flow.
Since the volume of circulating blood and its clotting ability increase significantly during pregnancy, thrombosis of any localization can become a very formidable complication!
What to do? Treatment of hemorrhoids depends on the stage of the disease. If we are talking about little symptomatic hemorrhoids of the 1st and 2nd stages, then in most cases it is enough to solve the problem of constipation by adjusting the diet and resorting to physical exercises.
In uncomplicated hemorrhoids of the 2nd and 3rd stages, the patient most often has to be hospitalized, but without surgical intervention. Complicated hemorrhoids with bleeding require surgical intervention, but the disease rarely reaches such an advanced state.
Of course, the disease is easier to prevent than to treat. Avoiding hemorrhoids is easy. To do this, you need to monitor regular bowel movements - at least once, and preferably twice a day. Ideally, it should happen at the same time. After each act of defecation, be sure to wash yourself using soap and cold water. A large role in the prevention of constipation is the rejection of a sedentary lifestyle. Moderate physical activity - special exercises for pregnant women, walking, swimming - will help you avoid many problems. Kegel exercises are also useful - drawing in and relaxing the muscles of the perineum and anus.
Proper balanced nutrition should be singled out as a separate item in the prevention of hemorrhoids.
Heartburn
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the upper abdomen, sometimes extending to the esophagus and throat, caused by the reflux of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus. In addition, heartburn may be accompanied by flatulence, nausea, belching, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Usually a feeling of discomfort occurs after eating or in the supine position.
Where is the problem? Unfortunately, heartburn is a frequent companion of pregnancy. Under the influence of progesterone already known to us, the smooth muscles of the sphincter located between the stomach and the esophagus relax, which contributes to the reflux of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus. In the second half of pregnancy, the problem is further aggravated by the fact that the growing uterus presses on the stomach.
Overeating, insufficient chewing of food, malnutrition can also provoke heartburn.
What to do? To combat heartburn, experts recommend paying attention to your diet. Firstly, nutrition should be fractional: you need to eat often and in small portions. Secondly, you should give up too fatty foods (especially meat and fish), carbonated drinks, fresh bread, muffins, black coffee, as well as sour and spicy foods. After eating for 30-40 minutes, you can not take a horizontal position. To relieve the symptoms of heartburn, your doctor may recommend taking antacids.
Intestinal disorder
Intestinal disorder is most commonly referred to as banal diarrhea. However, depending on the severity of the disorder, it may be accompanied by vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, fever, symptoms of intoxication of the body (pallor of the skin, weakness, sweating, etc.).
Where is the problem? Indigestion can be caused by two main causes. The first is power supply errors. As we have already noted, during pregnancy, taste preferences often change significantly, appetite increases. As a result, overeating and combining incompatible foods may well cause indigestion with subsequent upset. The second reason is related to the infectious factor, that is, the penetration of pathogenic bacteria into the body, for example, through the use of poor-quality food.
What to do? If the symptoms of the disorder are minor and not associated with a bacterial nature, it will be enough to temporarily limit the diet, drink as much liquid as possible. Most likely, the doctor will prescribe a therapeutic diet. To alleviate the condition, you can take activated charcoal and an antispasmodic.
If the intestinal disorder is caused by a bacterial infection, serious medications cannot be dispensed with. In any case, only a doctor can determine the nature of the disease - in this case, self-medication is not worth it.
To avoid intestinal upset, it is enough to follow some simple rules. Remember that pregnancy is not the best time to experiment with new foods and explore exotic dishes - try to stick to your usual foods. Wash vegetables, fruits and berries thoroughly in warm water before use. Carefully study the expiration dates of the products, observe the conditions of their storage. If you doubt the look, smell or taste of a product, don't risk it - send it home.