Causes of indigestion during pregnancy and the fastest ways to treat it

**What causes indigestion in pregnant women?**

In this article, we will discuss the causes of indigestion in pregnant women, in addition to the symptoms associated with it. We will also review how to reduce indigestion during pregnancy, and provide drinks that enhance the digestive process. You will find all these topics in this article.

**What is indigestion?**

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia or indigestion, is a persistent or recurring feeling of fullness and discomfort, and pain in the upper abdomen during or after eating or drinking. Indigestion is a symptom, not a disease, and often indicates a health problem such as a stomach ulcer, esophageal reflux, or gallbladder problems.

**Causes of indigestion in pregnant women:**

1. Increased secretion of the hormone progesterone, which slows down the digestion process and increases muscle relaxation, which facilitates the reflux of food and stomach acid, leading to reflux pain, especially after eating.
2. A woman suffering from indigestion before pregnancy.
3. Pregnancy with a previous hernia.

4. Pregnancy with reflux before pregnancy.

**Digestive problems associated with pregnancy: causes and tips for treating them:**

**Heartburn:**

**Causes:**
- Hormonal changes.
- Increased fetal size.
- Eating fatty or spicy foods.

**Treatment:**
- Wear loose clothing.
- Sit down while eating.
- Avoid eating late at night, or at least an hour before bedtime.
- Avoid lying down after eating, and if you feel like it, you can walk for a short time.
- Chew gum or suck on a sour lemon candy to increase the flow of saliva, which helps neutralize acid in the stomach.
- Relax, sit with your eyes closed, and take 10 long, deep breaths.
- Elevate your head a few inches while sleeping.
- Consult your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications, including antacids.

**Constipation:**

**Causes:**
- High hormone levels slow down your digestive system, which can cause constipation.

**Treatment:**
- Drink plenty of water.
- Add more fiber to your diet gradually, aiming for 28 grams of fiber per day by eating legumes, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day to stimulate digestion and stimulate bowel movements. Consult your doctor about exercise during pregnancy.

**Gas and bloating:**

Gas and bloating are common symptoms during pregnancy, especially in the early months. In addition to the tips mentioned for dealing with constipation, you can try some other tips to relieve these symptoms.

**Treatment:**

Avoid eating foods that cause gas, such as cabbage and beans, and instead, choose nutritious foods. Make sure not to lie down an hour before eating, which gives your body a chance to digest the food while you sit upright. Indigestion (heartburn) occurs when the acidic contents of the stomach interact with the mucous membrane of the upper digestive tract, such as the esophagus. Acid is necessary for digestion, but it can irritate the cells of the digestive tract. Indigestion increases during pregnancy due to several factors:

- The pressure of the growing fetus on the stomach, which pushes its contents upward, especially when the fetus is large enough.
- Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.
- Relaxation of the sphincter muscle at the top of the stomach, which allows the acidic contents of the stomach to flow upward.
- If you suffer from indigestion before pregnancy.

**Does indigestion affect the fetus?**

Indigestion does not cause any health damage to the fetus, and it may sometimes have benefits, as the slow flow of food through the digestive tract allows the body a greater opportunity to provide the fetus with the nutrients it needs for its growth, despite the discomfort you may feel.

**Symptoms of indigestion during pregnancy:**

1. Sit down while eating.
2. Avoid eating late at night, or at least an hour before bedtime.
3. Wear loose clothing, avoid tight pants or belts.
4. Avoid lying down after eating, and if you feel the need to, you can walk for a short time.
5. Chew gum or suck on a sour lemon candy to increase the flow of saliva that helps neutralize acid in the stomach.
6. Relax, sit and close your eyes, and take 10 long, deep breaths.
7. Elevate your head a few inches above the rest of your body while sleeping.
8. Consult your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications, including antacids.
9. You may feel a burning sensation in the upper abdomen, accompanied by pain of varying intensity between the lower breastbone and the navel.
10. You may experience bloating in the upper abdomen, with pain resulting from gas buildup.
11. You may feel nauseous and want to vomit.
12. You may feel full quickly when eating, even if you do not eat large quantities, and you may suffer from overeating and fullness for a longer period than usual, with pain in the upper abdomen.

**Ways to reduce indigestion during pregnancy**

1. It is preferable to eat small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals, with the need to chew food well.
2. You should avoid foods that cause indigestion, such as spicy foods, chocolate, juices, and fatty foods.
3. It is important not to put pressure on the abdomen after eating, and to sit upright, while wearing loose and comfortable clothing. If the pregnant woman needs to bend, it is preferable to bend on her knees instead of bending at the waist.
4. It is recommended to avoid drinks containing caffeine, as they may exacerbate indigestion.
5. You should refrain from smoking completely, as it is harmful to the child and may cause relaxation of the valve between the stomach and the food passage, which leads to indigestion and heartburn.
6. It is preferable to eat at least three hours before bedtime if the pregnant woman suffers from indigestion at night, while raising the upper part of the body using several pillows while sleeping.

**Drinks that help treat indigestion for pregnant women**

- Drink a cup of mint after meals

It can help relieve the effects of indigestion. Chamomile is also useful in relieving indigestion and intestinal disorders, and acts as an anti-inflammatory.
- Ginger is a natural remedy for indigestion, as it reduces stomach acid. It is preferable to drink a cup of it after a meal, but avoid overdoing it to avoid gas and heartburn.
- Yogurt promotes digestive health thanks to its beneficial bacteria, which helps prevent acidity. Make sure that the milk contains a type of beneficial bacteria.
- Anise is considered an effective herb in treating indigestion, as you can take half a spoon with a cup of water to feel better quickly.
- Licorice roots help soothe muscle spasms and inflammation of the digestive system. Licorice can be chewed, but should not exceed 2.5 grams to avoid imbalances in sodium and potassium levels and high blood pressure.
- Fennel seeds help relieve digestive problems such as stomach cramps, nausea and bloating. You can boil half a spoon of fennel seeds in a cup of water for 10 minutes, or chew the seeds directly.
- Marjoram is considered useful in relieving indigestion, and a cup of it can be drunk immediately after a meal.

**Water:** It is necessary to drink water regularly throughout the day to maintain body hydration and support the proper functioning of the digestive system, which helps avoid problems such as indigestion.

**Coconut water:** Coconut water is very useful, especially in cases of indigestion, as it contains high levels of electrolytes that enhance the pH balance in the body, which helps neutralize stomach acids.

**Fennel seeds:** This medicinal herb helps treat digestive problems such as bloating, nausea, and indigestion. It can be prepared by placing a teaspoon of fennel seeds in a cup of boiling water and boiling it for 10 minutes, or it can be chewed after meals to relieve discomfort.

**Aloe vera juice:** Aloe vera juice helps relieve indigestion by reducing excess stomach acidity, which helps relieve heartburn, promote healthy bowel movements, eliminate toxins, reduce bloating and belching, improve protein digestion, enhance the balance of bacteria in the digestive system, and reduce inflammation.

**Apple Cider Vinegar:** Apple cider vinegar is used as a home remedy for indigestion caused by low stomach acid secretion, as it helps increase stomach acid and maintain the balance of gut bacteria. It can be taken by adding a teaspoon or two of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water and drinking it when you feel indigestion or half an hour before meals. Be careful not to overdo it to avoid side effects such as nausea, heartburn, and tooth erosion.

**Lemon and Water:** A mixture of lemon and water with a little soda is a simple drink that can be used to treat indigestion, as it works to neutralize stomach acid and improve bowel movements. Lemon also helps in digesting and absorbing fats and reducing acidity. It can be prepared by adding fresh lemon juice to a cup of water.

**Baking Soda:** Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) quickly neutralizes stomach acid and relieves indigestion, bloating, and gas. It can be taken an hour or two after a meal, by preparing a drink by adding half a teaspoon of baking soda to half a cup of warm water. Using baking soda is considered safe, but it is recommended not to overdo it to avoid constipation, diarrhea, or vomiting. It is also preferable not to repeat taking it before at least two hours have passed, and not to continue using it for more than two weeks without consulting a doctor.

Are there exercises that help improve digestion for pregnant women?

After we have reviewed the treatment of indigestion in pregnant women using herbs, we also offer you some exercises that can enhance the digestion process during pregnancy. Among these exercises:

1. **Bringing the knees to the chest**: You can do this exercise by bringing your knees to your chest as much as possible, which helps relax the muscles and improve digestion.

2. **Deep breathing**: Deep breathing is one of the easiest exercises that enhance the digestion process, and it also gives you extra energy.

3. **Cat position in yoga**: This position is one of the simple ways that helps maintain the digestion process well.

Treating indigestion in pregnant women with herbs contributes to maintaining the health of the fetus indirectly, as it helps the mother get rid of indigestion and the symptoms associated with it without the need to take chemical medications that may negatively affect the health and growth of the fetus.

Yoga exercises are useful in treating indigestion at home, as they help improve digestion and relieve abdominal cramps and bloating by reducing anxiety and stress. Yoga also relieves stomach pain by reducing stress, which enhances digestion. You can practice many yoga exercises as a way to treat indigestion at home, such as:

- **Spinal Twist Exercise**:
- Sit on the mat with your knees bent.
- Place your left knee on the floor, so that your left foot is close to your right buttocks.
- Bend your right knee and pass your right foot over your left thigh, so that the sole of your right foot is flat on the floor.
- Rotate your torso to the right side, placing your left elbow against your right knee to help stabilize.
- Repeat the exercise on the other side.

- **Knee-to-Chest Exercise**:
- Lie on your back and bring your knees to your chest while wrapping your hands around your legs.
- Breathe deeply while continuing to pull your legs to your chest.
- Stay in this position until you feel comfortable.

Although many consider yoga a spiritual practice, all poses, including breathing and meditation, promote physical and mental health. In a 2016 study of people with Crohn's disease, researchers found that moderate exercise combined with yoga improved quality of life and reduced stress levels that cause indigestion. Some yoga poses, m

The boat pose and the child's pose help improve digestion and lose belly fat, as they work to tighten and relax the abdominal muscles and avoid some problems such as acidity and bloating.

**Tai chi** is an ancient practice that includes a set of slow movements and deep, focused breathing. Many studies have shown that practicing Tai chi may improve the quality of life for healthy people and those with chronic diseases, and it also enhances digestion.

**Walking** is considered a moderate exercise that may help improve digestion and alleviate some symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, as strenuous exercise may increase the inflammatory response.

Walking for 15 minutes after eating helps enhance the peristalsis process, which is the process responsible for moving food through the digestive system. Walking for a short period also helps reduce blood sugar levels. Here are some tips to get the most out of walking:

- Keep your back straight while walking.
- Let your arms move freely.
- Choose comfortable shoes that support your feet, preferably with a thick, flexible sole.
- Use a treadmill at home or in the gym if you are unable to walk outside.

**The bending exercise** is one of the exercises that are beneficial for digestion, and also helps in losing belly fat. You can do it as follows:

1. Sit up straight with your legs extended, then bend your left leg and place the sole of your foot next to the thigh of your right leg.
2. Keep your back straight, and support your body by making your left arm straight, and place the palm of your left hand on the ground behind your buttocks.
3. Exhale while turning to the left to look over your left shoulder, with your right arm on the outside of your left leg.
4. Repeat this three times, then repeat the previous steps for the other side.

**The forward-bending sitting exercise** benefits the digestive system by massaging the abdominal organs and stimulating the entire abdominal and pelvic area, including the liver, spleen and pancreas. You can do it as follows:

1. Sit up straight and take a breath while raising your arms above your head.
2. Exhale and bend forward until your nose reaches your knees.
3. Inhale and extend your arms above your head.
4. Exhale and release your arms to the sides.

5. Repeat three times.

**Full Body Twist** helps promote heart health and stimulate digestion. You can do this exercise as follows:

1. Lie on the floor.

2. Take a deep breath and raise your arms up so that they are perpendicular to the floor.

3. Sit up straight, then extend your head and bend forward to reach your toes.

4. Slowly roll down until you are lying on the floor.

**Legs on the wall** is a simple position that involves sitting on the floor and propping your legs up against a wall for 2 to 4 minutes, which helps relieve bloating and gas and regulate blood pressure.