Heartburn is very common among pregnant women especially during the second and third trimester. It is an irritation or burning sensation of the esophagus caused by acid reflux. It’s generally harmless but very uncomfortable and unpleasant. This discomfort usually lasts until the baby is born.
The changing hormonal levels of a pregnant women affects the digestive tract & how different foods are broken down. Pregnancy hormones, mainly progesterone, causes the lower esophageal sphincter, which is the muscular valve between the stomach and esophagus, to relax allowing stomach acids to go back to the esophagus. Another contributing factor is the uterus which enlarges as pregnancy progresses. As the baby grows it crowds the abdominal cavity thereby pushing the gastric acids up the esophagus.
Though we can’t eliminate heartburn entirely, there are several ways to minimize it.
. Avoid eating before going to bed. Give an allowance of 2-3 hours to give time for digestion.
. Avoid foods that can trigger gastrointestinal distress. Acidic and citrus foods, tomatoes, chocolates, fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, processed meats, caffeine and alcohol.
. Don’t eat big meals. Instead of eating 3 full meals a day try to distribute it to 8 small meals. This will make digestion easier.
. Avoid drinking large quantities during meals. You can complete your 8 glasses of fluid intake in between.
. Try eating chewing gum after eating, this will help you to salivate which in turn neutralizes acid.
. Always maintain a sensible weight gain. Ask your health provider about the average weight gain during pregnancy.
. Wear loose comfortable clothes, avoid tight fitting ones especially in the tummy area.
. When picking up things always bend on your knees.
. Try to sleep with propped up pillows, this will keep your stomach acids from refluxing.
. Don’t smoke. It’s always a general rule to stop smoking when pregnant because it boosts stomach acids, plus it’s a major contributory factor in a lot of health problems.
. If you feel you can no longer tolerate the discomfort, you can get over- the-counter remedies like maalox and gaviscon. Though several antacids are generally safe, always ask your doctor before taking them.
There are also some natural remedies which you can try.
. A cup of hot ginger tea can soothe stomach acidity. Try drinking after meals, it can also aid in digestion.
. A handful of almonds can also help in alleviating the discomfort.
. Eat fruits like apple and papaya which have digestive enzymes which in turn helps in neutralizing stomach acids.
Pregnancy is one experience that every moms- to- be should enjoy. Just make sure you adapt a healthy lifestyle, develop good eating habits, avoid stress, and the most important of all, always have a happy disposition. Make sure that you’ll always consult your doctor if the discomfort continues.
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