12 causes of chest pain during pregnancy

Chest pain is a common symptom of pregnancy. However, in some cases this is an omen that pregnant mothers need to see a doctor. So when is the cause of chest pain normal, when is it abnormal? Let aFamilyToday Health learn about this issue.

Is chest pain a common symptom?

When pregnant, mothers often feel their breasts tighten, mild pain or pressure in pain. This is completely normal. However, if the chest pain spreads to the arms or is accompanied by fever or dizziness, mothers should see hospital immediately.

Causes of chest pain

Chest pain is a common symptom that pregnant women often face. The causes of chest pain are usually:

1. Heartburn

Inappropriate eating habits often cause heartburn during pregnancy. Additionally, levels of the hormone progesterone increase during pregnancy relax the smooth muscles of the uterus, dilating the valves that separate the stomach and esophagus. However, the rise of this hormone causes stomach acids to flow back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

Please read the article: 10 steps to prevent heartburn for pregnant mothers .

2. Indigestion

Indigestion is often the cause of chest pain. Symptoms of the disease usually get worse as they enter the late stages of pregnancy, around 27 weeks.

Read the article: 7 habits that easily cure indigestion .

3. Tense the chest muscles

During pregnancy, tension occurs in the muscles and ligaments in the chest area. As the baby gets older, the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the diaphragm and ribs, leading to pain in the right chest and shortness of breath.

4. Chest infection

Chest infection is the main cause of chest pain. This is mainly caused by diseases related to the respiratory tract.

5. Stress

Stress is a fairly common symptom of pregnancy. More importantly, stress can also cause chest pain.

6. Chest size changes

Your breasts will get bigger during pregnancy. This changes the joints and chest muscles, making it more common for mothers to experience chest pain and discomfort.

If you have chest pain from any of these reasons, it's okay, you don't need to worry. However, if you experience pain due to the following reasons, you should be careful:

7. Thrombosis (DVT)

An embolism is a blood clot (blood clot) in a vein in the body. Sometimes a blood clot builds up in the veins of the leg, above or below the knee. This is a serious disease that you need to be careful about.

Blood clots in the legs can travel to the lungs, causing chest pain, lung congestion or even death. You are at greater risk if you smoke regularly, are pregnant over 35 years old, have heart, lung disease, are obese or have twins.

8. Myocardial infarction

If you have left breast pain during pregnancy, the first thing that comes to mind is heart attack. Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of a heart attack. In addition, there are other accompanying symptoms such as headache, difficulty breathing, numbness in the limbs and cold sweat. If you are experiencing these symptoms, go to the hospital right away. It usually occurs in women who smoke cigarettes, have a history of diabetes or become pregnant when they are over 40 years old.

Please read the article: Therapies to reduce the risk of heart attack .

9. Asthma

If you have asthma or a history of asthma in the past, it will come back or get worse during pregnancy. You should feel the chest contractions caused by asthma , leading to chest pain.

10. Coronary aneurysm

This is a disease related to the heart. Chest pain is one of the symptoms of this disease. Sometimes it happens after giving birth or one month before the baby is born.

11. Dissection of the aorta

It is caused by a tear in the aortic wall (the largest artery), causing blood to flow between the layers of the artery wall, resulting in rupture of the aorta. Chest pain is a common symptom of this condition. Pregnancy increases the risk of aortic dissection.

12. Congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease can lead to a number of complications during pregnancy due to physiological changes and stressors affecting the cardiovascular system. Chest pain is a common manifestation of this condition. Therefore, you need to be cautious and pay attention if chest pain is caused by heart disease.

If you have severe chest pain accompanied by the following symptoms, chances are you have a chest infection:

Cough is prolonged

Yellow or bloody sputum

Arrhythmic heartbeat

Shortness of breath

Wheezing

Fever.

Some tips to help reduce chest pain during pregnancy

If you have chest pain accompanied by symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness ... you should go to the hospital to be examined immediately. However, if your chest pain is not related to a serious medical condition, there are a few methods you can take:

1. Pay attention to your posture

Make sure you don't press on your lungs. Sit and stand upright to give your lungs enough space to work.

2. Relax

Don't force yourself too tired. Rest as much as possible.

3. Bed cushion

Keep a pillow high while lying down, this will help you breathe easier.

4. After eating, do not lie down immediately

Although you are very tired, but try to endure, do not lie down after eating.

5. Split up meals

During pregnancy, you should divide large meals into smaller meals with equal spacing between meals to avoid acid reflux and heartburn.

6. Supplement vitamins

Don't forget to take prenatal vitamins.

7. Limit stress

During pregnancy, stress is quite common. So, do some yoga exercises or meditate to reduce stress.

8. Avoid foods that cause gas

Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, spicy and greasy foods because these foods can easily cause indigestion and bloating.

9. Follow a healthy diet that provides vitamins and minerals to the body.

10. Exercise

Regular exercise will keep the body healthy and protect the body against bacterial attacks.

11. No tobacco

Smoking not only affects the mother's body but also affects the baby.

12. Do not use products containing caffeine.

13. Keep it clean

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water to eliminate bacteria. When going out, bring an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

These are simple ways to relieve chest pain during pregnancy. In addition, you can apply the following folk remedies:

Drink ginger tea or chamomile tea 1-2 times / day

Gargle with salt water 3 times / day.

Drink a glass of warm milk with honey.

Almonds also help stimulate digestion.

A cup of coconut water is also very effective in neutralizing acids.

Add two teaspoons of caraway seeds to boiling water and leave for 10 minutes. Then drink this mixture, this is the kind of nut that has the ability to cure digestive problems.

Add a little apple cider vinegar to the water, then drink this mixture.

If none of the above measures work, see your doctor to have it checked.

Advice for mom

Do not take the medication on your own because it will affect your baby.

If you have pneumonia or bronchitis, see your doctor right away for the right treatment.

Chest pain is a common symptom of pregnancy, but if your chest pain does not go away and worsens, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.