Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, in pregnancy is partly caused by hormonal changes and, in later pregnancy, by the growing womb pressing on your stomach. The symptoms of indigestion can include feeling full, feeling sick or nauseous and burping. The symptoms usually come on after eating food.
Heartburn is more than just indigestion. It is a strong, burning pain in the chest that is caused by stomach acid passing from your stomach into your oesophagus (the tube that leads from your mouth to your stomach). This can happen because the valve between your stomach and the oesophagus relaxes during pregnancy.
You can help to ease the discomfort of indigestion and heartburn by making changes to your diet and lifestyle, and there are antacids that are safe to take in pregnancy. Talk to your midwife, GP or pharmacist.
Avoiding indigestion
The following tips can help to prevent indigestion:
- try eating smaller meals more often
- sit up straight when you are eating as this takes the pressure off your stomach
- avoid particular foods which cause you trouble, for example, fried or highly spiced food
Make sure you are still eating a healthy diet, including starchy foods (bread, rice, pasta, potatoes) and fruit and vegetables. Find out more self-help tips for preventing indigestion, including stopping smoking.
Avoiding heartburn
To avoid heartburn you could:
- sleep propped up by pillows: heartburn is often brought on by lying flat
- avoid eating and drinking for a few hours before you go to bed
- ask your midwife or doctor for advice: he or she may be able to prescribe an antacid if the problem won't go away
To ease heartburn, try drinking a glass of milk. You could have a glass of milk by your bed in case you wake up with heartburn in the night.
Don't take any antacid tablets or remedies before checking with your midwife, doctor or pharmacist that they are safe for you to take in pregnancy.
Find out more about safely treating indigestion and heartburn in pregnancy.
