New Delhi, Apr 10 (IANSlife): Healthy mothers and happy babies go hand in hand!! If you are an expecting mother there will be many changes taking place in the body that will cause irritation or discomfort.

During pregnancy, indigestion is a very common and one of the few troubles including cramps, headaches, stretch marks and swollen ankles, says Dr.Seema Sharma, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist and High risk pregnancy expert at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Chandigarh

Indigestion, also called ‘dyspepsia', one of the commonest problems of pregnancy, is a feeling of pain or discomfort in the stomach (upper abdomen, or, tummy). It occurs due to significant physical and hormonal changes and the effect of progesterone and estrogens hormones which are many times are given to mothers to support the ongoing pregnancy. As the number of weeks increase and the trimester changes, indigestion becomes more common and may be caused by your baby pushing up against your stomach. As many as 8 in 10 women may have indigestion during their pregnancy, the expert says. She underlines the symptoms and prevention measures to be taken.

Symptoms of Indigestion during pregnancy

• Morning or evening sickness

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Lack of appetite to excessive salivation make life of first trimester expecting mommies miserable

The reason behind these symptoms is simply slowing of the digestive system leading to delayed gastric emptying and aversion to many smells and tastes dissuade pregnant mothers from eating much. The family pressure and expectation of the norm to eat for two to fulfil the needs of the growing foetus adds stress to mothers to be. Inability of the spouses to empathise and blame mommies for throwing unnecessary tantrums makes things even more difficult. In pregnant women, indigestion can be caused by:

• eating a big meal

• eating high-fat foods

• drinking fruit juice or caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, cola drinks)

• doing physical activity soon after eating

• feeling anxious

While, Indigestion can be uncomfortable it certainly isn't harmful for your baby. The slowing of your digestive system may even benefit your baby, as it gives your body more time to pass nutrients through the placenta.

Prevention is better than Cure

For any expecting mother, the first and foremost preventive and corrective measure required is to accept and welcome the changes associated with early pregnancy and understand pregnancy is not a disease, probably one of the confirmations of good health. Pregnancy is a "Wellness and not an Illness".

• Small and frequent meals: One must have small frequent meals instead of heavy two or three meals in a day or keep a wider gap between the first meal and subsequent meals. It is recommended eating smaller meals, more often. Although you should ensure you're well-nourished during pregnancy, overeating is likely to cause more issues with indigestion as your abdominal area is already pretty full. It can help your digestive system function so you don't overwhelm your body with large meals that can cause indigestion. Late night dinners are a strict NO. Chinese food has to be avoided as it contains ajinomoto as it can cause birth defects in babies.

• Avoid spicy, fried food and caffeinated drinks: Expecting mothers have to choose their foods wisely. It is important to cut down on caffeine, fizzy drinks and rich, spicy and fatty foods. These are more likely to cause irritation and bloating and lead to discomfort. In worse cases, it may also lead to gastritis. Mother should avoid canned or frozen foods in favour of fresh home cooked food and fruits or vegetables.

• Sitting upright: When you eat, try to maintain a good posture. This will help to take pressure off the stomach and allow your digestion system to function more efficiently.

• Smoking and Drinking: Don't smoke or drink: You should try to knock these habits on the head before pregnancy as it can harm your baby. However, it also increases chances of indigestion which could otherwise be avoided.

• Tight clothing: Being comfortable when pregnant is essential when trying to avoid distress to both yourself and your baby. Tight clothing can put even more pressure around the abdomen worsening indigestion and discomfort. This can have injurious effects to maternal and foetal health.

• Stay Hydrated : Take plenty of fluids to remain well hydrated

• De-stress: Take time out before going to sleep to calm yourself and the baby. Try meditating or having some quiet time so your body isn't tense during sleep

• Sleeping position: Try to tilt your mattress so your head and shoulders are slightly higher, approximately 10cm. This helps to prevent stomach acid coming up while you sleep. Take eight hours of sleep, plenty of rest and stay calm and happy to enjoy the journey to parenting.

It is important to know if anything or the slowing of the digestive system allows more time for nutrients to be passed through to your baby – so try not to panic!

If you have relentless pains it can be worth seeing a doctor, even if just to put your mind at ease. If your indigestion is not helped by diet and lifestyle changes, or your symptoms are more severe, your doctor may suggest medicines for indigestion that is safe to use during pregnancy. Medicines can neutralise the acid in your stomach, reduce the amount of acid produced by your stomach and stop the acid rising into your oesophagus. However it is advisable to all expecting couples to avoid self-medication.