Hi there Mama,
We’ve all been there, haven’t we?
Many pregnant women have often complained about stomach pain after eating too much, and I can understand, it can be both uncomfortable and painful. But, luckily there are many ways to treat it and make sure that it doesn’t happen again.
During pregnancy, a stomach ache after eating can happen due to certain reasons like, if you’re in your 1st trimester, it can happen due to the dramatic change of hormones in your body.
During the 2nd and 3rd trimester, it’s because your baby might be pushed against the stomach, stomach pain and indigestions are common in pregnant women.
Other symptoms other than stomach ache that indicates indigestion are…
- Heartburn – a burning sensation in the throat or chest
- Vomiting
- Feeling nauseated
- Burping
Major causes of stomach ache
Eating too much spicy food
Spicy food should be avoided during pregnancy. The average time for the body to digest and process food is 6 to 24 hours, but for a pregnant woman digestion becomes slow due to changing hormones, and so eating spicy foods can cause heartburn and acidity.
I was a huge spicy food lover, and so during my pregnancy too, I had these major cravings for spicy curries but I learned the truth the hard way.
Because I thought that my body was accustomed to eating spicy food, it wouldn’t affect me during my pregnancy, but, oh boy, was I wrong? I suffered severe heartburns and acidity and had to be taken to the hospital immediately.
Sleeping right after eating
You might’ve heard that you shouldn’t work out immediately after a meal, so likewise during your pregnancy; women tend to sleep or lay down after being tired of eating. But, this can cause stomach pain, indigestion, heartburn, and multiple other things.
What you need to do is go for a leisure walk, nothing too strenuous, but walk in your home only for 10 minutes and then rest a little.
Eating a big meal
Many pregnant women think that being pregnant means they get to eat whatever they wished and how much ever they want, but the truth is, YOU CAN’T.
Indulging in your cravings once in a while and in a limit is okay, but eating whatever you crave all the time like junk foods, desserts can cause stomach pain if you tend to eat them a lot.
Doctors usually recommend avoiding 3 major meals and instead eat 6 meals in a day but in smaller portions. So eat frequently but reduce the portions so that you don’t feel hungry often but also you’re not overeating.
Drinking carbonated drinks
Drinking sodas, caffeine drinks, and energy drinks (to name a few) can often further slower your digestion process and give you stomach pain.
So, if you crave for them, have it once a week maybe and that too not immediately after a meal, rather have it between two meals. Make sure that your caffeine consumption is under 200mg a day.
What should you do to avoid getting stomach pain after a meal during pregnancy?
- Start sleeping on your left side.
- Eat smaller meals
- Avoid exercising immediately after a meal
- Avoid lying on your back immediately after a meal
- Avoid spicy food
- Sit up straight while eating
- Chewing gum produces saliva which can help in neutralizing the acid
- Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks at the end of the day
- Take note of foods that causes stomach pain and avoid them during your pregnancy
- Avoid eating foods whose smell makes you feel nauseated during pregnancy
Consult your doctor
Your doctor will be able to prescribe medication that can help you avoid getting frequent heartburns and helps in digesting the food properly. Ignoring any frequent symptoms during your pregnancy can be harmful to you and your baby.
