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Indigestion during early pregnancy can be caused by hormones, poor eating habits, anxiety, and muscle tenderness. Changes to diet, exercise, and sleep habits can help, as well as over-the-counter and prescription medications. Progesterone is the main cause of indigestion, and avoiding foods that cause gas or bloating can help. Seek medical attention for severe or persistent symptoms.
Indigestion in early pregnancy can be uncomfortable, but there are many ways to avoid or minimize the discomfort. Hormones, gas, the pressure of an expanding uterus, poor eating habits, anxiety, depression, and muscle tenderness can cause indigestion during the first trimester. Many of these causes are linked, and treating one can mitigate others. Changes to diet and sleep habits can often help avoid indigestion in early pregnancy, although over-the-counter and prescription medications can also help in more serious cases.
Most indigestion problems come from the increase in progesterone caused by pregnancy. The hormone causes the muscles to soften and relax, especially in the digestive area. This slows digestion, which can lead to gas, bloating, and discomfort. Eating too much or too fast can contribute to this, as softened digestive muscles struggle to break down the food. The hormone also causes the muscles of the esophageal tract to relax, allowing acid to escape from the stomach. Conditions like anxiety or depression, which can trigger physical responses like increased stomach acid, can exacerbate the problem.
The easiest way to minimize indigestion in early pregnancy is to watch what you eat. Avoid foods and drinks that have already caused gas or bloating, even if it means skipping Friday taco nights with refried beans. Eat smaller portions to give the food time to digest, and eat slowly when you do. You may need to change your diet to include several smaller meals instead of three normal meals per day. If needed, take over-the-counter antacids with food to prevent acid reflux. The way you eat is also important: sitting upright while you eat and staying upright afterwards will allow gravity to do some of the work of keeping stomach acid in your stomach where it belongs.
Exercise and adjustments in reclining or sleeping habits can also alleviate indigestion. Gentle exercise before and after meals can aid digestion. Stretching, yoga, and other relaxation techniques can encourage proper digestion, reduce additional acid reflux caused by stress, and take some of the pressure off an expanding uterus and growing fetus. When sleeping, elevating the head and upper body with pillows or other methods can help prevent buildup of stomach acid and prevent indigestion in early pregnancy.
Only take prescription medicines when recommended by a doctor, such as medicines for anxiety or depression or prescription antacids. When in doubt about over-the-counter antacids, consult your GP. More severe and persistent cases of heartburn or indigestion in early pregnancy can be caused by other factors. If symptoms seem abnormally intense or last too long, seek medical attention.
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