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Thanks for your query.

Gastritis is a medical term used when there is inflammation in the lining of stomach wall. This can lead to many digestive problems. Gastritis and pregnancy are related closely. Often a pregnant woman experiences gastritis symptoms as a result of several causes. One of the causes is stress which a woman commonly undergoes during pregnancy period. Low intake of food with poor nutritional values, imbalanced diet, smoking, alcohol, consuming excessive spices and beverages are other reason for gastritis during pregnancy. For long standing gastritis problem, infection in the stomach with H.pylori bacteria is a major factor. Certain medications, especially anti inflammatory drugs are also risk factors for gastritis during pregnancy. In gastritis the mucus lining of the stomach is eroded by excess production of acid, when the condition is not treated it can lead to stomach ulcer.

Gastritis during pregnancy is not permanent problem; it can be reversed with right treatment.

Do not overload your digestive system with large meals. During pregnancy, the stomach muscles are relaxed and digestion is slow. Therefore eat smaller meals frequently.
Eat slowly; do not hurry while eating food as you are bound to swallow air with the bolus. This will lead to more gas in the stomach.
Avoid oily, spicy food. Stick to home cooked, fresh meals.
Consume chilled milk in large quantities.
Do not lie down immediately after eating. Have your last meal 3 hours before sleeping, take a glass of chilled milk if hungry thereafter.
Lie down with two pillows tucked under your head, it reduces reflux of acid from the stomach.
Chew cloves after lunch and dinner. It is an excellent remedy for gastritis caused during pregnancy.
An herbal tea prepared from ginger, and licorice is useful in treating gastritis problem during pregnancy.
Carrot juice mixed with spinach juice is effective in treating the gastric irritation. Carrot is also beneficial for a pregnant woman due to its high vitamin content.
Chewing fennel seeds after each meal is beneficial in relieving gastritis caused due to pregnancy.
Avoid alcohol, condiments, spices, caffeinated drinks.
Eat more vegetables, grains and fruits.
Prepare a concoction from crushed aniseed and boiling water. Let the liquid cool down, now strain and drink 2 tablespoon of it at a time. It helps to relive symptoms of gastritis to a great extent.

If home remedies fail, please consult your obstetrician for a prescription for one of the following :

Antibiotics are usually administered if gastritis is caused by helicobacter pylori.
Antacids
Drugs with H-2 histamine receptor blockers
Spasmolytics and proton pump inhibitors.

Regarding normal delivery or surgical delivery, your wife's pelvis will be assessed near term.
If there are no indications for a Cesarean section, she can undergo normal delivery.
Normally one waits uptil term - 40 weeks - for onset of spontaneous labour.
If that fails, there are various gels, tablets and drips available to induce labour.
However, even during the process of normal labour , if some complication arises, one might have to opt for emergency cesarean section.

If the pregnancy is uncomplicated, she can start mild walking and pelvic exercises as well as pregnancy yoga ( these are taught in antenatal classes at all good maternity centres ).
This would prepare her for normal labour.

All the best.
Feel free to discuss further.

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