Heartburn

Heartburn occurs in many pregnant women, especially in the middle and end of pregnancy. Heartburn is an unpleasant side effect, but generally does not endanger either mother or child.To avoid excessive acidity in the stomach, strongly spiced foods, highly acidic foods such as citrus fruits and apples, fatty foods and sweets with a lot of sugar can be avoided. On the other hand, oatmeal, steamed vegetables, potatoes and still water or tea can help to reduce heartburn.

One reason for this is that the growing child in the womb begins to press on the internal organs.
On the other hand, changing hormone concentrations in the blood mean that the closure from the stomach to the esophagus no longer functions optimally.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is one of the more common complications of pregnancy. It is usually diagnosed during pregnancy by an addiction test and subsides on its own after the pregnancy. Favouring factors include diabetes in the family, a higher age of the mother, overweight and previous pregnancies with diabetes.

Since gestational diabetes can have negative effects on the unborn child in particular, but also on the mother, it is important to diagnose and treat the disease early on. If left untreated, the child may gain weight with simultaneous underdevelopment of the lungs and, among other things, lead to high blood pressure and urinary tract infections in the mother. A change in diet may be sufficient, and the diet should include plenty of vegetables and wholemeal products, with the occasional addition of lean white meat or fish.

Sugary drinks and sweets, fatty foods and white flour products should be avoided to a large extent. Sweet fruit should also only be consumed in moderation. If nutritional therapy cannot lower the elevated blood sugar level, insulin therapy can be started with special insulin preparations that can be used during pregnancy.

Coffee

Coffee is not forbidden in pregnancy from the outset. Experts draw the recommended limit at 200-300 mg per day, which corresponds to 2-3 small cups of coffee. The caffeine contained in coffee passes from the mother to the child and in the worst case can lead to premature birth.

There are also studies that have shown a connection between coffee consumption during pregnancy and lower birth weight. Since coffee can also increase heartburn and nausea, coffee consumption during pregnancy should be reconsidered. A similar effect has naturally also different caffeine-containing beverages such as black tea, energy drinks or also chocolate.