Get to know the various causes and how to deal with chest pain during pregnancy

Chest pain during pregnancy is usually not a dangerous thing. This complaint can occur due to hormonal changes and the enlargement of the uterus pressing against the stomach.

However, sometimes chest pain during pregnancy can also be caused by a serious health condition, especially if this complaint does not improve, gets worse, or makes it difficult for pregnant women to eat and drink.

Therefore, how to deal with chest pain during pregnancy can vary, depending on the cause and severity.

Causes and Ways to Overcome Chest Pain During Pregnancy

Here are some causes of chest pain during pregnancy as well as how to overcome them:

1. Enlargement of the uterus

With increasing gestational age, the size of the fetus and uterus will increase. This can then push the organs of the pregnant woman's body, including the area around the chest cavity, thus making the pregnant woman experience chest pain. This complaint will usually be more pronounced when the pregnant woman lies on her back.

Sometimes chest pain during pregnancy can also be accompanied by other complaints, such as heavier breathing, sweating, and dizziness.

However, pregnant women need not worry too much. Chest pain will subside by itself when the baby begins to shift position or after delivery. To overcome this, pregnant women can choose the right sleeping position, for example by lying on their left side to reduce pressure in the chest and lungs.

2. Morning sickness

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy or morning sickness can also be a cause of chest pain during pregnancy.

Nausea and vomiting that occur continuously can irritate the throat and tire the esophageal valve muscle in the stomach. This is the cause of chest pain in pregnant women who experience morning sickness.

To overcome chest pain due to morning sickness, pregnant women can use warm compresses and wear clothes or bras that are not too tight. In addition, pregnant women can also drink ginger tea and eat small portions, but more often, to help relieve nausea.

3. Gastric acid reflux

Acid reflux is a condition when stomach acid rises up into the esophagus. Pregnant women who experience this condition may experience symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and pain or tenderness in the chest.

This pain is usually caused by high levels of the hormone progesterone during pregnancy, which weakens the gastric valve, making it easier for stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. However, sometimes this condition can also occur due to ulcers or acid reflux disease (GERD).

There are various ways to treat chest pain during pregnancy due to stomach acid reflux, including:

• Eat slowly and little by little.
• Sit back about 1-2 hours after eating.
• Adequate and quality sleep.
• Keep your head higher than your feet while sleeping.
• Use loose clothing.
• Avoid foods and drinks that can trigger an increase in stomach acid, such as spicy, acidic, caffeinated, oily or fatty foods, as well as drinks containing alcohol or soda.

4. Health problems

Chest pain during pregnancy can sometimes also be caused by a more serious health condition, such as a lung infection or pneumonia, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or heart problems, especially for pregnant women who are previously known to suffer from or are at high risk of developing these diseases.

Chest pain during pregnancy caused by certain diseases generally does not subside on its own and will get worse if not treated.

To overcome this, pregnant women are recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle and routinely carry out obstetrical examinations. After that, the doctor can provide the right treatment according to the cause of the chest pain that pregnant women feel.

If pregnant women experience chest pain that does not go away, gets worse, or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, excessive nausea and vomiting, chest palpitations, headache, muscle pain, or swollen legs, and vision problems or dizzy eyes, you should immediately consult a doctor.