The symptoms of indigestion (dyspepsia) are caused by stomach acid coming into contact with the sensitive, protective lining (mucosa) of your digestive system.
The stomach acid breaks down the mucosa, which causes irritation and leads to the symptoms of indigestion.
When you are pregnant, you are more likely to have indigestion due to:
- hormonal changes that your body is going though
- your growing uterus (womb) pressing on your stomach
- the relaxing of the lower oesophageal sphincter (ring of muscle) that acts like a gate between your stomach and your oesophagus (gullet), allowing stomach acid to leak back up
Risk factors
You may be more likely to get indigestion during pregnancy if:
- you experienced indigestion before you were pregnant
- you have been pregnant before
- you are in the latter stages of your pregnancy
Acid reflux
Acid reflux is a condition that causes heartburn when acid from the stomach flows up into the throat.
Oesophagus (gullet)
The oesophagus is the tube that runs from your throat to your stomach.
Stomach
The sac-like organ of the digestive system. It helps digest food by churning it and mixing it with acids to break it down into smaller pieces.
Uterus
The uterus (or womb) is a hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman where a baby grows during pregnancy.
