A woman's body experiences numerous physical and physiological changes throughout pregnancy. Her body changes to make room for the developing fetus, but her hormone levels also alter. These alterations frequently result in stomach problems. Even though they usually pose no threat to the mother or her fetus, they can nonetheless be highly uncomfortable. Thankfully, there are actions a woman can do to reduce, stop, or avoid the symptoms.

Nausea and vomiting

Between 50 and 80 percent of pregnant women throw up throughout the first trimester. Often referred to as "morning sickness," the illness is highly prevalent in the first trimester of pregnancy but usually goes away by the second. You ought to consult your physician if it doesn't. Hyperemesis gravidarum is an uncommon but more dangerous disorder that can cause extreme nausea and vomiting that depletes your electrolytes. Medical attention might be necessary.

Common morning sickness usually doesn't require medical attention. Your symptoms can be reduced by:

• consuming more frequent, smaller meals
• reducing consumption of fresh vegetables and fatty foods, as they delay the pace at which food exits the stomach
• consuming lots of water
• obtaining sufficient doses of vitamins B1 and B6

Heartburn

When a woman reaches the third trimester, heartburn, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), affects around half of her body. After eating, stomach acid can back up into the esophagus and cause a burning feeling in the chest. Pregnancy increases the likelihood of GERD due to hormonal changes that relax the sphincter at the top of the stomach and pressure from the developing fetus.

To stop or lessen the symptoms of heartburn:

• Consume smaller meals more frequently.
• Avoid lying down right after eating.
• Apply antacids.
• Follow your doctor's instructions while using over-the-counter drugs like proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers.

Constipation

Constipation is a common pregnancy symptom for about 40% of women. Hormonal changes cause the lower GI tract to flow more slowly, which increases the body's ability to absorb water from the feces and makes it harder to pass.

In order to avoid or treat constipation, you can:

• Increase the amount of water you consume
• Consume fiber-rich meals.
• Use a stool softener available over-the-counter.
• If your constipation is really bad, get an over-the-counter laxative.

Diarrhea

Having three or more bowel movements in a day is considered diarrhea. This issue affects about 35 percent of pregnant women at some stage throughout the pregnancy. It usually has an infection connection and goes away on its own in a few days.

If diarrhea occurs, be sure to:

• Drink a lot of water to avoid being dehydrated.
• If low back pain or increased vaginal mucus discharge are present, call your doctor as these may be signs of preterm labor.