Heartburn or dyspepsia can be experienced by anyone, including pregnant women. When experiencing stomach ulcers, pregnant women will feel symptoms such as abdominal pain or heartburn and reduced appetite. This condition can also appear accompanied by other complaints, such as morning sickness.
Apart from pain and burning in the pit of the stomach, pregnant women can also feel other symptoms when stomach ulcers recur, such as:
- Bloated
- Heartburn
- Stomach feels full even if you just eat a little
- Pain in the gut to the area around the chest
- Burp frequently
- Nausea and vomiting
Causes of Heartburn 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 the rise in levels of the hormone progesterone. These hormonal changes cause the muscles of the lower esophagus to weaken. The muscles of the esophagus are supposed to contract and close the passage between the esophagus and stomach after food has passed into the stomach.
However, during pregnancy, the muscles of the esophagus tend to weaken so that stomach acid easily rises up into the esophagus. This is what causes pregnant women to experience heartburn more easily.
- Fetal growth
A growing fetus is always accompanied by an increasing size of the uterus. This condition causes the uterus to press against the stomach, so pregnant women can experience heartburn symptoms.
How to Overcome Heartburn During Pregnancy
It is important for pregnant women to change their lifestyle to avoid heartburn symptoms that can recur at any time. Things pregnant women can do are:
1. Pay attention to the food consumed
Heartburn can be caused by consuming 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 advised to avoid consuming these foods and drinks to prevent the risk of stomach ulcers during pregnancy.
To deal with stomach ulcers 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 habits can weaken the function of the muscles 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 habits can also harm pregnancy and the condition of the fetus. Smoking can increase the risk of low birth weight babies, premature births, birth defects, and even miscarriage.
3. Adjust the sleeping position
The wrong sleeping position during pregnancy can also cause symptoms of heartburn to recur. When lying down or sleeping, try to place your head higher so that stomach acid doesn't easily rise.
Pregnant women can do this by using two pillows while sleeping. However, make sure the position is not too high and the pregnant woman still feels comfortable.
4. Adjust the sitting position
If pregnant women are used to sitting in a leaning or bending position while eating, it's a good idea to stop this habit. This is because such a sitting position can make it easier for stomach acid to rise. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to eat in an upright sitting position.
5. Change wrong eating habits
Wrong eating habits can be a trigger for stomach ulcers 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 also not go straight to bed. Leave at least 2–3 hours between meals and bedtime.
If pregnant women have implemented the methods above, but the stomach ulcers they experience 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.
