8 Serious Causes Of Chest Pain During Pregnancy
Pregnancy comes with a horde of problems. As your body expands to accommodate your growing baby, you experience a number of complications. Some are mere discomforts while others can prove more dangerous like chest pain in pregnancy.
Are you suffering from chest pains and are worried that it may be something serious? It is normal to feel flutters of anxiety when it comes to chest pain, more so when you are pregnant. But not all pain is serious!
Before you rush to the doctor for each niggle, learn a little more about your body and chest pain during pregnancy.
Causes Of Chest Pain During Pregnancy:
Here are the major causes of chest pain during pregnancy.
1. Heartburn:
Probably the most common cause of chest pain, heartburn is extremely common during pregnancy too. The culprits can be gas or a particular food. Progesterone, a pregnancy hormone, too can cause heartburn.
2. Indigestion:
When gas gets trapped in between your chest and tummy, you can land up suffering from chest pain. Your symptoms of indigestion tend to get worse after the 27th week of pregnancy.
[ Read: Effective Measures To Prevent Indigestion During Pregnancy ]
3. Pressure From Growing Baby:
As your baby grows and takes up more space, she can push against your ribcage and diaphragm, which too can lead to chest pain.
4. Stress:
Stress has become all-pervasive today. When you are pregnant, stress can cause a number of symptoms, including chest pain.
5. Change In Breast Size:
As you step into the second trimester of your pregnancy, your breasts will enlarge. The change in bust size too can lead to chest pain and discomfort.
The causes mentioned above are mild, and you need not hit the panic button. But chest pain can also be an indicator of a medical emergency. Here are a few more serious causes of chest pain during pregnancy.
6. Deep Vein Thrombosis:
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) refers to a blood clot that finds its way to a vein in the leg or the pelvis. DVT is a serious medical condition that requires you to see your doctor as soon as possible. The blood clot in the leg can also travel up your body and reach your lung. It can cause chest pain, lead to Pulmonary embolism or even death. With this kind of chest pains during pregnancy you should be alert.
7. Heart Disease:
If you suffer from a heart ailment, chest pain is something you should never ignore.
8. Heart Attack:
When you experience chest pain, the first thing that may come to your mind is a heart attack. And there is a good reason for that. Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of heart attack. Other symptoms include light-headedness, breathlessness, numbness in the limbs, and cold sweat. If you are experiencing these symptoms, don’t wait, just head to the ER.
Tips To Alleviate Chest Pain During Pregnancy:
In case your chest pain comes with a shortness of breath, dizziness and weakness, the only way forward is to see your doctor. After a diagnosis, your health care provider may prescribe medication to ensure you remain healthy during your pregnancy.
However, chest pain will mostly have a benign cause. Here are some easy ways to manage and prevent chest pain:
1. Watch Your Posture:
Make sure you are giving your lungs enough space! Don’t slouch. Sit and stand straight to allow enough oxygen to enter your lungs.
2. Take It Easy:
Don’t overtire yourself. Rest as much as you can.
3. Use A Cushion:
Prop yourself up a little with a cushion while lying down on your bed. Doing so will ensure you are breathing freely.
4. Don’t Sleep Soon After A Meal:
No matter how tired you are, try not to lie down immediately after a meal.
5. Eat Small Portions:
During pregnancy, it makes better sense to eat smaller meals at regular intervals to prevent acidity, heartburn, GERD, etc.
6. Prenatal Supplements Are Vital:
Don’t forget to take your prenatal vitamins regularly.
7. Say No To Stress:
Life today is full of stress. And when you are pregnant, the stress levels can skyrocket! So, try to bust stress with the help of meditation and yoga.
8. Avoid Things That Cause Bloating:
Make sure you stay away from alcohol, caffeine, oily, and spicy foods, all of which can cause gas and indigestion.
Lying in bed at night with chest pain can scare brave hearts too! But don’t worry. In most cases, chest pain is not a cause of worry. But if you do experience additional symptoms, don’t hesitate to call your doctor, even in the middle of the night!
Do you know any home remedy to ease chest pain during pregnancy? Share your tips with us!
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