Heartburn During Pregnancy – Causes & Home remedies
It’s more common than you can imagine! More than half of all pregnant women report symptoms of severe heartburn, particularly during their second and third trimesters.
Although it has nothing to do with the heart, heartburn involves a burning sensation in the center of the chest.
Heartburn, also called acid indigestion, is an irritation or burning sensation of the esophagus caused by stomach contents that reflux (comes back up) from the stomach.
Heartburn (a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD) occurs in one-quarter to one-half of all pregnant women.
Heartburn during pregnancy is usually mild and intermittent; it can be severe in some cases. Complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) such as esophageal bleeding, trouble swallowing, loss of weight, etc. are uncommon.
Prevention and Treatment of Heartburn During Pregnancy
You can try some of the following things to reduce heartburn during pregnancy without hurting your baby.
- Eat several small meals each day instead of three large ones.
- Eat slowly.
- Avoid fried, spicy, or rich (fatty) foods or any foods that seem to cause relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and increase the risk of heartburn.
- Eat yogurt or drink a glass of milk.
- Try a tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm milk.
- Wait an hour after eating to lie down.
- Lie on the left side at night.
- Keep the head of your bed higher than the foot of your bed. Or place pillows under your shoulders to help prevent stomach acids from rising into your esophagus.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing. Tight-fitting clothes can increase the pressure on your stomach and abdomen.
- Keep drinking water and hydrate yourself. Avoid drinking during meals.
- Know the food that triggers heartburn in your body and avoid them.
- Some women find ginger or ginger candies helpful in soothing a heartburn.
Heartburn symptoms are usually mild and manageable. Tell your health care provider if your heartburn is severe, if you spit up blood, or have dark-colored bowel movements. This is a sign of blood in your digestive tract. Fortunately, heartburn usually ends with the birth of your baby and your body goes back to its nonpregnant state.
There are severeal types of medications used to relieve heartburn in women who are not pregnent, but it is not kown how safe some of these medications are for the developing fetus. REMEMBER – You must always ask your doctor before taking any medication during this time.
DISCLAIMER: These remedies may not show results to the people having medical conditions. Results may vary from person to person.
