7 simple ways to cope up with indigestion during pregnancy

Heartburn, heartburn and more heartburn!These are Priya’s first thoughts even today when someone asks her about how she felt when she was pregnant. During the first few weeks, when Priya conceived her daughter Aria, she was ecstatic. She felt fit and energetic. Little did she know that her struggles with these digestive issues were just going to start! It all started when she was around two months pregnant. She felt a weird burning sensation – termed heartburn in the food pipe. Initially, this heartburn was limited to 2 hours after a meal. However,it gradually increased to the point where she ended up spending sleepless nights.

Priya’s situation is extremely common among expecting mothers. Sometimes, the heartburn is so severe that moms-to-be start fearing meal times, and even stop eating! This is absolutely not good for you and your baby. You can take some simple steps, and make a few lifestyle changes that can help keep heartburn in check. So before you hit those medicines, read on to find out how you can control heartburn.

Tips To Cope With Indigestion During Pregnancy

Pregnancy heartburn can be extremely uncomfortable. Here are some things that you can do to cope.

1. Watch how and what you eat: Indigestion and related issues during pregnancy occur because of the hormonal changes your body goes through in order to ensure that the baby is safe and healthy. One of these changes is slow digestion of the food we eat so that the maximum nutrients reach the placenta and your baby. The type of food that you eat will, therefore, have an impact on how much and how often you have heartburn. Hence to keep heartburn at bay during pregnancy you must keep these things in mind.
   1. Have frequent small meals instead of 3 square heavy meals
   2. Eat at least 2 hours before you sleep
   3. Give up on spicy, oily, fried and junk food
   4. Sit up straight when you eat
2. Understand what triggers the heartburn: Observe your eating habits and try to identify which particular food triggers indigestion issues. Some people find that things like citrus juices trigger heartburn. Avoid these trigger foods, and you will definitely see an improvement
3. We all scream for ICE-CREAM: Craving for ice cream? Go ahead, and indulge! (In moderation – you don’t want your blood sugar levels shooting up!) Ice cream can offer relief from indigestion and heart burn. Keep a small stash of your favorite flavor in the fridge for these “emergency” times!Eating something cold can provide relief from that uncomfortable burning sensation. Remember, that a bowl of cold curd, or low-fat frozen yogurt will do the trick, too. So opt for the healthier options on a regular basis, and indulge in ice cream occasionally
4. Keep yourself hydrated:A good intake of liquids goes a long way in relieving digestion problems, especially related to acidity and nausea.
   1. In case of frequent vomiting, you are also losing out on a lot of liquid from your body
   2. Hence it becomes imperative that you keep pumping the liquids back and do not face dehydration, which can be extremely detrimental for your health
   3. Drink plenty of buttermilk, lassi, coconut water and plain water
5. An apple a day, keeps indigestion away: Apple is a wonder fruit in so many ways. Apple being naturally rich in iron, helps soothing of your digestive lining and relieving digestion related problems. If you don’t like apple, eat any other iron rich foods and fruits like amla or pomegranate
6. Moderate your intake of caffeinated drinks: If you’re way too fond of your cup of tea or coffee, you might need to adjust how much you drink. Coffee and tea can aggravate the burning sensation that comes with indigestion
7. Light antacids prescribed by your doctor: After you’ve tried these home remedies, if you still feel that your indigestion and related issues are not subsiding, make sure you consult your doctor to prescribe some light antacids to help you cope. A nutritionist can help you with a diet plan specifically to address indigestion and heartburn, too

Pregnancy can be a time of so much joy and excitement for an expecting mother. Don’t let indigestion and heart burn change that. Tackle the issue as early as possible and enjoy your pregnancy. We wish you a healthy and happy pregnancy!

Have any more tips to tackle heartburn, for expecting mothers? Do share them with us in the comments section!