During pregnancy
In principle, the diseases already mentioned in this article can also be the cause of nightly stomach pain during pregnancy. However, pain in the upper abdomen occurs more frequently in pregnant women than in the rest of the population. The reason for this is, on the one hand, the hormonal change, which also alters digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, and, on the other hand, the pressure of the uterus on the intestine, stomach and other abdominal organs.
In many women, this causes increased gas production in the intestine during pregnancy and, especially in late pregnancy, leads to pain more quickly due to the lack of space in the abdominal cavity. Furthermore, the increased pressure in the abdomen increases the risk of stomach acid flowing back – especially at night and when lying down, many pregnant women complain of heartburn. It is also suspected that the stretching of various ligaments in the pelvis and abdomen and fetal movements can cause pain.
This sometimes depends on the position of the body and can occasionally occur, especially at night. If slight nocturnal stomach pains occur during pregnancy, there is no need to worry. In most cases they can be improved by changing body position, exercise and a change in diet.
After the meal
Nocturnal pains in the stomach area often occur as a result of food intolerances, allergies or after eating spoiled food. Those affected should first try to observe which foods trigger the pain in order to narrow down the circle of possible causes. Flatulent foods can also cause pain at night due to increased gas formation in the intestine.
If frequently recurring stomach pains at night are alleviated by food intake, a small intestinal ulcer may be present. This should be presented to a doctor at an early stage.
