Indigestion in Pregnancy

Indigestion is common during pregnancy. It can be caused by hormonal changes, the muscles between your stomach and gullet relaxing, allowing stomach acid to come back up, and also the growing baby pressing against your stomach. 

Indigestion while pregnant may cause heartburn, acid reflux, bloating, gassiness, and discomfort amongst others because hormones slow down the emptying of the stomach as a means to sustain the pregnancy.

Some women may suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease prior to pregnancy whereby they may suffer heartburn, ulcers prior to pregnancy and these get worse when they are pregnant.

Indigestion could be very distressing and cause diarrhea, vomitting, and nausea. 

Things to do to help with indigestion during pregnancy include: changing 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 of going to bed at night and to also sit up straight when you eat. This will take the pressure off your stomach

Drinking enough fluid is also important in order to ensure adequate bowel movements.