Indigestion (dyspepsia) in pregnancy

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen (tummy).

If you have indigestion, you may experience a number of symptoms including:

• heartburn - a burning sensation that is caused by acid passing from the stomach into the oesophagus (gullet)
• regurgitation - food coming back up from the stomach
• bloating
• nausea - feeling sick
• vomiting - being sick

How common is indigestion in pregnancy?

Most people are affected by indigestion from time to time, but women are often affected by it while they are pregnant. As many as eight out of ten women experience indigestion at some point during their pregnancy. Indigestion tends to become more common as the baby develops.

Indigestion during pregnancy is mainly due to changes that occur in the body, such as rising levels of hormones and increased pressure on the abdomen (tummy).

These changes can often result in acid reflux, which is the most common cause of indigestion. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back up from the stomach into the oesophagus (gullet) and irritates the lining (mucosa).

Outlook

There are a number of lifestyle changes that may help improve the symptoms of indigestion, such as eating smaller meals, or cutting out certain foods. There are also medicines, such as antacids, that can be taken safely during pregnancy to treat indigestion.

Some women may find that their indigestion gets worse as their pregnancy progresses. However, in most cases, after giving birth, the symptoms disappear. Indigestion during pregnancy rarely causes complications.

Abdomen
The abdomen is the part of the body between the chest and the hips.

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.

Hormones
Hormones are groups of powerful chemicals that are produced by the body and have a wide range of effects.

Acid reflux
Acid reflux is a condition that causes heartburn when acid from the stomach flows up into the throat.