Gastritis is the medical term used when there is inflammation in the lining of the stomach wall, and this can lead to many digestive problems1. Gastritis during pregnancy is quite common; often, a pregnant woman experiences symptoms of gastritis as a result of various causes. One of those is the stress that the expectant mother may experience during pregnancy.

Causes of Gastritis During Pregnancy

Some of the causes for the development of gastritis during pregnancy are:

  • Low intake of foods with poor nutritional value, unbalanced diet;
  • Smoking;
  • Alcohol;
  • Spices consumption;
  • Excessive drinking contributes to gastritis during pregnancy;
  • High consumption of dishes with preservatives can also damage the stomach lining, leading to gastritis during pregnancy;
  • Stomach infection with helicobacter pylori bacteria has also been reported as one of the causes;
  • Certain medications, especially anti-inflammatories, are also risk factors for gastritis during pregnancy.

In gastritis, the mucous lining of the stomach is worn down by excess acid production2. When the condition is not treated, it can lead to stomach ulcers.

Symptoms of Gastritis During Pregnancy

Gastritis in pregnancy is not a permanent problem, unless it is a pre-existing condition before the woman became pregnant. However, it can be reversed with the right treatment. Here are some notable symptoms of gastritis that a woman experiences during pregnancy:

Other symptoms that may occur include excessive salivation, bitter taste in the mouth, bad breath, generalized weakness, and lethargy. Most people experience situations where they pass gas between 10 to 20 times a day on average. However, during pregnancy, this number seems to increase substantially. This is due to the high level of progesterone produced in pregnancy. Progesterone relaxes the muscles of the body, including those of the digestive tract, which causes digestion to slow down, leading to gas accumulation and consequently burping, bloating, and flatulence. The growing uterus puts more pressure on the organs in the abdominal cavity and pushes the stomach, resulting in a further slowdown of digestion3.

How to Relieve Gas During Pregnancy

  • Constipation is the most common cause of gas and bloating. Eating a sufficient fiber diet for regular bowel movements is the ideal recommendation. However, keep a limit on fiber, as too much fiber can also increase gas production.
  • Do not overload the digestive system with large meals. During pregnancy, the stomach muscles are relaxed, and digestion is slow. Therefore, eating smaller meals more frequently is recommended.
  • Eat slowly. Don’t rush your food; when you eat too quickly, you swallow more air with your food. This will cause more gas to go into your stomach.
  • Avoid or eat less of foods that produce gas, such as cabbage, fried foods, carbonated drinks, beans, etc.

How is Gastritis Diagnosed During Pregnancy?

When gastritis worsens, diagnosis is based on tests. For visualization of the mucosa, specifying the type of acidity, and detection of H. pylori, endoscopy is performed with pH measurement and smear tests. It is not dangerous, but requires permission from the obstetrician. An ultrasound may also be requested to check the structure of the stomach. Generally, it is best to diagnose and treat gastritis before pregnancy, but if the disease develops during pregnancy, it needs to be kept under control.

How to Treat Gastritis During Pregnancy

Treatment for non-pregnant patients consists of eliminating (eradicating) H. pylori bacteria and reducing acidity with antisecretory medications. However, during pregnancy, both groups are contraindicated, so only the following remain:

Antacids

Medications that act only in the stomach, without systemic absorption. Antacids bind to and neutralize hydrochloric acid in the stomach. There are magnesium- and aluminum-based suspensions that should not be used for more than three days because aluminum intake may cause constipation. There are other, safer, non-absorbable medications based on larger molecules of aluminum and magnesium, or based on calcium and magnesium. Alginate salt also reduces acidity, is not absorbed, and protects the gastric mucosa, which is especially important during pregnancy. The same effect can be achieved with milk and dairy products, and these, along with honey, can treat gastritis and are completely safe.

Antispasmodics

Papaverine tablets are safe and relieve gastritis spasms during pregnancy as well as other problems.

Antiemetic

These are recommended for a short period of time in the 1st and 3rd trimesters when vomiting is uncontrollable, as advised by the doctor. Other measures that can relieve gastritis discomfort during pregnancy:

  • Chew cloves after lunch and dinner. It is an excellent remedy for gastritis during pregnancy.
  • Ginger tea is useful in treating gastritis problems during pregnancy.
  • Carrot juice mixed with spinach juice is effective in treating gastric irritation. Carrot is also beneficial for pregnant women due to its high content of vitamins A, C, B2, and B3, as well as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and sodium, which are the minerals present in carrots.
  • Chewing fennel seeds after each meal is beneficial in relieving gastritis in pregnancy.
  • Eat more vegetables, grains, and fruits.
  • Prepare a mixture of crushed anise and boiling water. Let the liquid cool, strain it, and drink 2 tablespoons. This helps to ease the symptoms of gastritis during pregnancy.

Diet

It is very important that, during pregnancy, women have a balanced diet. Eating in small amounts and more frequently is essential. The motto is: “You can’t go hungry and you can’t overeat.” Avoid carbonated drinks, caffeine, spices, fatty and fried foods, as these can further damage the stomach lining. Soups, broths, and porridge, steamed white meats, fish, cereals, whole-grain bread, and fruits are all parts of an ideal diet for a woman who suffers from gastritis during pregnancy. It is also good to know that mineral water is excellent for gastritis. The high acidity of the stomach is neutralized with mineral water. Drinking a glass one or two hours after any meal gives a feeling of freshness and relieves pain. It is important to remember that appropriate treatment for gastritis during pregnancy should be conducted by a gastroenterologist together with the obstetrician, so that neither the mother nor the baby is harmed. See Also: Medications During Pregnancy – Use Safely!