What should pregnant women do if they have indigestion
Release time : 08/23/2025 09:30:04
Are you aware of how to deal with indigestion during pregnancy? Postpartum women often experience this condition as a result of increased levels of progesterone in the body, which weakens gastrointestinal motility and reduces acid secretion. Additionally, the growing uterus compresses the gastrointestinal tract, hindering digestive activities. So, do you know how to deal with indigestion during pregnancy? After becoming pregnant, changes in the body often lead to symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
This is due to the increased levels of progesterone in pregnant women, which, through its effects, reduce gastrointestinal motility, decrease stomach acid production, and, as the growing uterus impinges upon the digestive system, hinder digestion.
Pregnant women suffering from indigestion due to pregnancy usually do not require medication treatment. It can be improved to varying degrees through reasonable diet adjustments.
When you're feeling unwell, it's best to eat smaller meals more frequently. Choose foods that appeal to you and include light, easily digestible items like porridge, soy milk, or milk, as well as fruits.
Eat less sweets and indigestible greasy meat.
When appetite improves, increase the intake of proteins such as meat, fish and shrimp, and soy products.
In addition, pregnant women should maintain a positive mood and avoid unpleasant events, as any adverse emotional stimulation can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort.
Pregnant women should listen to music or enjoy art works as much as possible to make themselves happy.
To increase appetite, it is essential for pregnant women to maintain appropriate physical activity. Regularly walking, engaging in tasks and household chores within one's capacity can not only enhance digestion but also promote the growth and development of the baby.
Symptoms of indigestion in pregnant women include a lack of appetite, or a desire for less food; severe loss of appetite is referred to as anorexia.
The center of appetite is in the hypothalamus, which has extensive connections with the cerebral cortex.
There are two centers that regulate food intake in the hypothalamus, one is the satiety center, in the ventromedial nucleus. Animal experiments destroy this center, resulting in increased appetite and increased food intake.
The other is the food center, in the ventrolateral nucleus. Destroying this center, animals lose appetite and refuse to eat.
These two centers regulate each other to control food intake.
Nausea and vomiting are common clinical symptoms. Nausea is often a precursor to vomiting and can also occur alone.
It expresses special discomfort in the upper abdomen, often accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, salivation, slow pulse, and reduced blood pressure.
Vomiting refers to a complex reflex movement in which stomach contents or part of the small intestine contents flow back out of the mouth through the esophagus.
Vomiting can expel harmful substances from the stomach and play a protective role. However, persistent and severe vomiting can cause water and electrolyte disorders, metabolic alkaloids and malnutrition, and even complications of esophageal and cardiac mucosa laceration (Mallory-Weiss syndrome).
The causes of indigestion in pregnant women do you know what the causes of indigestion in pregnant women are? In fact, it is very necessary for the patients themselves to clearly know the cause of the disease. Knowing the cause of the disease can prompt us to more actively prevent the disease. So let's tell you what causes indigestion in pregnant women! Changes in hormone secretion and hormone levels during pregnancy still play an important role. Some patients, such as early pregnancy, have a very severe pregnancy reaction, mainly because the large dose of hormones secreted during pregnancy in the body increases gastric acid secretion and slows down gastric peristalsis.
However, increased gastric acid secretion and decreased gastric motility, coupled with severe nausea during early pregnancy, can lead to significant vomiting for an extended period or at a particularly severe level. This may result in damage to the gastric mucosa. Furthermore, the high levels of stomach acid itself can stimulate the stomach and cause pain.
Indigestion is primarily associated with increased stomach acid secretion. The increased acid secretion leads to decreased intestinal motility and reduced secretion of digestive enzymes, which results in symptoms of indigestion.
Therefore, we advocate that pregnant women should eat small meals frequently, but not excessively.
What foods are often helpful for pregnant women with indigestion, but are often overlooked. When pregnant women experience indigestion, using food to alleviate their discomfort is a great option. However, do you know what foods are good for pregnant women with indigestion? Let's delve into the best foods for pregnant women with indigestion! 1. Whole grain porridge: Whole grain porridge is beneficial for pregnant women due to its ability to strengthen the spleen and stomach. It helps regulate the digestive function of the gastrointestinal system, promoting digestion and absorption of nutrients. 2. Vegetables that can dissolve accumulations: Vegetables that have the effect of clearing heat and moisturizing the intestine are particularly suitable for pregnant women with indigestion. They can help reduce inflammation and promote intestinal peristalsis, aiding in the digestion of food and eliminating waste. 3. Fruits that benefit the body: Fruits such as pomegranate, grapes, and apples contain natural enzymes that can break down food and facilitate digestion. They also contain fiber that can help relieve constipation and maintain intestinal health. 4. Foods that nourish the body: Foods that are easy to digest and rich in nutrients such as fish, chicken, and eggs are recommended for pregnant women with indigestion. They provide essential proteins and other nutrients for the growth and development of the fetus, while also aiding in the smooth flow of food through the gastrointestinal tract. 5. Beverages that promote digestion: Drinking warm water or herbal tea can help stimulate the digestive system and promote the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract. Some herbal teas, such as ginger tea, can also help relieve nausea and vomiting caused by indigestion. In summary, when pregnant women experience indigestion, it is important to choose appropriate foods that can nourish the body and promote digestion. Whole grain porridge, vegetables that can dissolve accumulations, fruits that benefit the body, foods that nourish the body, and beverages that promote digestion are all excellent choices. By following these dietary recommendations, pregnant women can alleviate their indigestion symptoms and promote overall health during pregnancy.
Hawthorn, a fruit that can be eaten raw or used to make jams and cakes, is also dried for medicinal purposes, with health benefits including stomach stimulation, accumulation and digestion relief, and dispersion of blood stasis.
Hawthorn 50-100 grams, cooked into porridge.
Yam contains amylase and polyphenol oxidase, which are beneficial for the digestion and absorption functions of the spleen and stomach. It is a medicinal food that nourishes the spleen and stomach.
200 grams of Chinese yam.
Cooking and eating stir-fry, drinking soup.
The content of protein, fat, and vitamins in japonica rice is relatively high. Eating more can lower cholesterol and reduce the chance of heart attack and stroke. It has multiple nutrients such as fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron and B vitamins.
Rice, Job's tears, and jujubes can be boiled in a porridge.
Nursing methods for pregnant women with indigestion: 1. Indigestion in pregnant women should be mainly mild and easy to digest.
2. Avoid certain odors that can cause vomiting, such as cooking smell, greasy smell, oil smoke smell, etc.
3. Eat less and more meals. Don't insist on eating more every time you eat. Eat when you want to.
4. Give them what they want, change the taste of the food and cooking methods, and make more adjustments.
5. Consume more vegetables and fruits, which can not only stimulate the appetite but also prevent constipation.
Constipation and gastrointestinal sluggishness can affect appetite.
6. If you don't eat enough three meals, prepare some milk bread, biscuits, soy milk, yogurt, etc. in case you can eat at any time.
The medical content discussed in this article is for reference only.
If you feel unwell, it is recommended to seek medical treatment immediately, based on offline face-to-face diagnosis, medical diagnosis and treatment.