Gynecology And Obstetrics-

Stomach pain in pregnancy

Summary

introduction

Stomach pain during pregnancy can have many different causes. In order to precisely determine the origin and extent of the pain, a doctor should always be consulted if the pain persists.

Safe pregnancy-related stomach pain

Stomach pain can have various harmless causes during pregnancy that can be easily remedied by changing your diet or changing position:

Through the Change in the hormonal balance during this time the female body goes through some changes. Because of the progesterone, for example, there is a Relaxation of the digestive tract muscles.
To make matters worse, there is a change in the production of digestive enzymes from the stomach and gallbladder. This can lead to abdominal pain in some pregnant women, which is often associated with a feeling of heaviness or fullness and sometimes heartburn or flatulence.

These symptoms often improve when the Diet adapted to the new condition will and one on easily digestible food respect and no meals that are too large takes.

For some, stomach pain also occurs simply because the fetus grows, the uterus expands in the abdomen, and consequently less space is left for other organs in the abdomen.
However, this type of pain is not permanent and often disappears with a change of position.

Stomach pain in early pregnancy - mostly harmless

Stomach pain during pregnancy can have many causes, although these are mostly harmless, as described above, and are based on normal changes during pregnancy.

Especially stomach pains in early pregnancy, provided they occur alone without any major complaints or symptoms, are often caused by hormonal changes in the body, so that these are normal adaptations to the exceptional physical situation.

At the beginning of pregnancy, the body produces many more hormones than before, for example the pregnancy-maintaining hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), as well as an increased amount of progesterone.

Progesterone in particular causes the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract to relax in the female body during pregnancy, making it more sluggish overall.

This can lead to a feeling of fullness, heaviness, slow passage of food through the stomach and intestines (i.e. slower digestion), flatulence, constipation and thus stomach pain due to the sluggishness of the intestine.

Furthermore, the hormone progesterone causes an increased production of digestive enzymes and bile and the relaxation of the gastrointestinal muscles also contributes to the fact that the gastric entrance, which normally prevents acidic gastric juice from rising into the esophagus, may no longer close and function properly heartburn can occur.

You might also be interested in: Heartburn during pregnancy

In contrast to this, stomach pain in advanced pregnancy is more likely to occur due to the lack of space in the abdominal region, whereby the steadily growing uterus with the growing child displaces other organs and thus constricts the intestines and stomach.

Stomach pain associated with nausea during pregnancy

Do stomach pains occur during pregnancy along with nausea on, it doesn't always have to worry you - especially in early pregnancy - but it should nevertheless lead to something more vigilant to be.

Especially in the Early pregnancy can they Hormonal changes (as described above) under certain circumstances Stomach problems lead, but also to the so-called Pregnancy sickness to lead.

However, stomach pain is more likely to occur during pregnancy along with nausea and may even be accompanied by other symptoms like them Fever and vomiting on, may also have to be on less harmless causes be thought. For one, can Inflammation of the stomach (Gastritis), Stomach ulcers (Ulcers), Inflammation of the gallbladder / biliary tract (Cholecystitis, cholangitis), Gallstones (Cholecystolithiasis) or Inflammation of the pancreas (Pancreatitis) cause pain in the stomach area or in the upper abdomen.

In addition, you always have to deal with the serious pregnancy disease HELLP be thought: the HELLP syndrome is characterized by a Bloodfall (Hemolysis), increased liver values (Elevated Liver function) and low platelet count (Low platelet counts) and is often associated with severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. A doctor should in this case immediately to be visited.

Editor's recommendation: HELLP syndrome

Worrying pregnancy-related stomach pain

Apart from these trivial causes, which should not cause a pregnant woman to worry, there are also conditions with pain in the epigastric region that occur during pregnancy not harmless are

So it can be for one Inflammation of the uterus come that even can rise up into the ovaries. This prepares severe painwhich are often misinterpreted as stomach pain by those affected.
Also can Ectopic pregnancies exist that can lead to similar symptoms. Therefore should Abdominal pain during pregnancythat last longer, always be assessed by a doctor.

Stomach pain independent of pregnancy

Of course, you should never forget that stomach pain during pregnancy can also have reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with the current condition of the woman:

Common triggers for stomach ache like Appendicitis, Inflammation of the gastric mucosa or Food poisoning can occur in pregnant women as well as in non-pregnant women and must be excluded.

The therapy in this case depends on the severity and cause of the pain. You can read more about this topic at: What to do with stomach pain

Therapy of stomach pain in pregnancy

Homeopathy and home remedies

Not least because most of them Medication For pregnant Women are not allowed, herbs are the means of choice for stomach pain during pregnancy. The herbs can be taken in any imaginable way and are widely available in drugstores or pharmacies. There are almost no limits to the selection of teas, lozenges, juices and drops. In addition to mucilage that spreads over the Gastric mucosa There are many well-known types of herbs, as well as caraway, fennel and sage, which are good against a bloated stomach, as well as the soothing chamomile.
Depending on the cause of the complaints, different herbs are used. From the home pharmacy has been used to provide relief from Stomach cramps during pregnancy especially chamomile tea, which is very calming and anti-inflammatory effect on the stomach Has.

A cup of chamomile tea in combination with a lukewarm heat pillow and relaxation exercises can often relieve the pain sufficiently. The heat helps the body die Musculature to relax. During pregnancy, however, care should be taken to ensure that the temperature is not too hot. Other herbal teas such as nettle tea, fennel tea or mint tea can also be drunk without worry. The teas work best when several cups are drunk in small sips throughout the day. Liquorice can also be mixed in. The substances it contains are excellent against Flatulence, heartburn and cramps. Essential oils from mustard, garlic, caraway or ginger can also be used. They work particularly well on complaints that are due to increased acid formation and kill any existing ones bacteria in the stomach. Substances such as linseed, marshmallow root or mallow leaves leave a protective layer of mucus on the inside of the stomach and help the body's own substances to assert themselves against the acidic gastric juices. Only the liquorice root should be taken with caution, as this substance has an influence on the crtisol balance. Aniseed milk has almost been forgotten. Here aniseed and caraway seeds are mixed in milk and this mixture is heated. The milk is then strained again and the rest of the mixture is then drunk in sips. This recipe is also liked at stomach pain Used by children to calm the sensitive baby's stomach again.

Potato wraps should not be missing from grandmother's home recipes. The potatoes are boiled with the peel and then mashed and wrapped in a kitchen towel and placed on the stomach. Instead of potatoes, you can make vinegar wraps. Here, a towel is dipped in vinegar and placed on top. Horsetail poultices are another alternative. Horsetail is effective against numerous diseases, including the Stomach cramps.

With all envelopes, it is important not to place them too hot on the stomach during pregnancy. Abdominal massages can also be very pleasant and helpful. Here, circular movements should be made, which are enhanced by additives such as almond or peppermint oil or Swedish herbs. In addition to oils, Swedish herbs have proven to be useful as herbal juices to take. You can either prepare it yourself or buy it as a ready-made preparation from the pharmacy.

Also at eat There are a few small things to watch out for with stomach problems. Protein-rich, fiber-rich and low-fat are helpful, low carbohydrate Food whole food as well as fruit and vegetables should be on the menu. Potato soup or mashed potatoes work well. Salads and natural yoghurt are particularly gentle on the stomach and intestinal tract.

Also, only small amounts should be eaten per meal, which should then be swallowed slowly and well chewed. A regular eating rhythm should be adhered to and dinner should not be eaten too late in the evening. The food can also be refined with digestive spices such as caraway, fennel or ginger.

Medicines for stomach pain in pregnancy

Whether and which Medication against stomach pain should only be taken by a doctor to decide.
Quite a few drugs have dangerous effects on the unborn child and so the choice must be made very carefully.

So are the so-called proton pump inhibitors with their best-known active ingredients Omeprazole and Pantoprazole the most effective drugs to effectively inhibit gastric acid production and so the Gastric mucosa to protect against attacks.
The two active ingredients are outside of pregnancy mostly prescribed as a standard preparation and can very effectively relieve stomach pains that occur due to increased acid production, as they reduce the acid production enormously.

During pregnancy should the use of Omeprazole and Pantoprazole Reserved for exceptional cases and the group of so-called antacids (dt .: anti = against acid = acids) are given preference.
This group of drugs is slightly less effective as they do not stop the production of Stomach acid prevents, but only binds already existing stomach acids something and makes them harmless.
Magaldrat is the active ingredient of choice here, which can easily be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding to relieve stomach pain and heartburn Put a stop to it.

If the antacids like Magaldrat are not enough, a group of acid blockers is used. Their effectiveness lies between that of the antacids and that of the classic proton pump inhibitors omeprazole and pantoprazole.
In the pregnancy Their use should also be carefully considered, but they can be used when antacids do not provide sufficient relief. One of your main representatives is the active ingredient Ranitidine.

Summary

Depending on the reason for stomach pain during pregnancy, one should think carefully about possible therapy. Lots of drugs can in pregnancy not without hesitation are used so that they, as far as possible, should be avoided.
So if stomach pain occurs during pregnancy, it really should be only treat medication if they have a serious causewhich without adequate therapy would likely have serious consequences for mother and / or children. Otherwise it is often more advisable to be seen, to the Stomach pain will go away on its own or harmless Home remedies to use for the treatment of pain.