Gastrointestinal condtion? Indigestion? What is it?

Question

When I had my first daughter; a few weeks after delivery i developed this unbearable pain under my chest surrounding my back . I couldn't explain it all I knew is this pain felt like i was having a heart attack until i vomited whatever i ate. I did some research online and googled my symptoms and that first thing that popped up was "Gastrointestinal disease." Now I have described it to my midwife and my physician before i was pregnant and she said it could very well be indigestion or acid reflux. Well that pain couldn't be that unbearable...could it? It comes every now and then and at this moment i am 7 months pregnant and i am afraid it may cause problems with the baby or possibly premature birth....Has anyone ever experienced this? I do have a prenatal appointment tomorrow for my glucose test and i can ask again but this question is keeping me awake because i can never seem to get a direct answer. I want to know if anyone else has ever had this? And what it might be?

Answer 1

Yes, acid indigestion / reflux is very painful and people are often taken into hospital with a suspected heart attack only to find out that this is the problem.
As you have a history of this complaint, it may be that you have a lame sphincter (ie the muscle at the top of your stomach) and that as your unborn child grows he/she will press on the stomach increasing your liklihood of reflux. However as this is not telemedicine and only Yahoo answers I would suggest that you discuss your symptoms and your concerns at your prenatal. As a pregnant woman you have every right to have have fears.
Good luck!

Answer 2

This sounds like typical gallbladder disease. The mildest and most common symptom of gallbladder disease is intermittent pain called biliary colic, which occurs either in the mid- or the right portion of the upper abdomen. A typical attack has several features:

The primary symptom is typically a steady gripping or gnawing pain in the upper right abdomen near the rib cage, which can be quite severe and can radiate to the upper back. Some patients with biliary colic experience the pain behind the breast bone. Nausea or vomiting may occur.

Biliary colic typically disappears after 1 to several hours. If it persists beyond this point, acute cholecystitis or more serious conditions may be present.

The episodes typically occur at the same time of day, but less frequently than once a week. Large or fatty meals can precipitate the pain, but it usually occurs several hours after eating and often awakens the patient during the night.

Acute Cholecystitis which occurs when stones or sludge obstruct the duct. The symptoms are similar to those of biliary colic but are more persistent and severe. They include the following:

Pain in the upper right abdomen is severe and constant and can last for days. Pain frequently increases when drawing a breath.

Pain also may radiate to the back or occur under the shoulder blades, behind the breast bone, or on the left side.

About a third of patients have fever and chills. Nausea and vomiting may occur.

Anyone who experiences such symptoms should seek medical attention. Infection develops in about 20% of these cases, which increases the danger. Acute cholecystitis can progress to gangrene or perforation of the gallbladder if left untreated. People with diabetes are at particular risk for serious complications.

Please see your doctor before this gets any worse. If you develop a fever, get to the Emergency Room immediately.

Hope this helped. Take care.

Answer 3

Acid Reflux will not hurt your baby. Or cause premature birth.

It will cause you to have pain in your esophagus which is the pain you most likely felt. When mine is left untreated it can feel like a hard knot right at the bottom of my sternum.

Try eating smaller more frequent meals.. Drop spicy, fatty and sugary foods. Caffeine will also raise the acid level in your stomach. So try to avoid that as well..

The more pressure put on your stomach by your growing fetus will cause less room in the stomach and may increase indigestion and acid reflux.

Answer 4

have your Gallbladder checked hon...

keep a list of what you eat...I think you will find that after you have consumed food with a higher fat content that the area below your rib cage, traveling to your back will hurt.

whole milk, icecream, fried foods...pizza, cheeses...things like that got me sooo sick. I found out that I was lactose intolerant as well.

You could have passed a Gall stone. There are blood tests that can be done but the best thing is an ultrasound on the gall bladder itsself.

Best thing to do is get a second opinion. all too often pregnant women are pushed out the door of the doctor because they are seen to be overreactive and emotional.

Look up Gall Bladder and illnesses relating to it...I'm sure you will see some symptoms there that you recognize

also look up lactose intolerance...there are EASY tests that can be done. you will see some similiarities with what you've described in the symptoms of that as well.

good luck

Answer 5

when my wife was pregnant, she had all these small issues of stomach being upset, all insides being squished type of feeling and leg swelling. My point is, it sounds like acid reflex. I have diverticulitous and also irritable bowel sometimes. Its a constant battle with this stuff. When you have a baby swinging from the vine inside of you, your going to feel lots of different things.
Dont worry!! My wife used to hate to watch star trek because of the ugly faces on some of the aliens and got parnoid over it!!!
You have to laugh!! Your baby will be fine but just take care of yourself and make adjustments to your diet. Coffee, popcorn and greasy stuff and acidic also. Good luck and keep your spirits up!!!

Answer 6

I didnt get indigestion till I was 5 months along, but Yes it is possible to get it earlier.

Answer 7

Have they done an ultrasound of your gallbladder? If not they need to. Pregnant women have an increased risk of gallstones. Which is what it sounds like.

Answer 8

it was probably gas. the doctors wont let anything happen to your baby dont worry

Answer 9

Maybe you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Answer 10

maybe your esophagus is torn and leaking.