Heartburn during pregnancy

Many women tend to experience heartburn symptoms when they are still carrying their babies. heartburn during pregnancy happens for several reasons.

One of these is that the placenta produces the hormone progesterone which relaxes the muscles of the valve which seperates the stomach from the esophagus. this valve is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and normally stays firmly closed only allowing food to pass while you are eating. When the LES relaxes it allows stomach acid and food to reflux back to the esophagus and throat causing heartburn the acid reflux symptom.

One more reason of experiencing heartburn during pregnancy is because the changes in the body and the development of the baby creates more pressure in the women’s stomach. This also allows stomach acid and contents to be forced passed the LES, and into the esophagus.

However, there are several lifestyle changes that a pregnant woman can do to lessen the discomfort and alleviate the heartburn symptoms. The following are good tips which help when treating acid reflux disease, and can be used when pregnant although they may not remove the heartburn totally:

• Avoid the food that triggers heartburn. Examples of this are chocolates, spicy foods, citrus fruits and juices, mustard, tomatoes and tomato based products, fatty foods, fried foods, and highly seasoned dishes. Try to refer to medical specialists to know the complete list of foods to avoid Acid Reflux. Also, for foods that you may take which contains little danger of causing heartburn.

• stop taking drinks that aggrivate acid reflux symptoms such as tea, coffee, and soda. the caffine in these drinks can inflame the stomach lining and too much can also cause the LES to relax and let the acid reflux back into the esophagus.

• Stay away from alcohol beverages. This, like caffeine tends to relax the LES thus, creating the same effect—triggering heartburn.

• Avoid eating large meals. It is suggested that taking numerous small meals throughout the day will be better.

• Avoid rush in eating your meals. Chewing food thoroughly will really help in avoidance of heartburn, so better take your time in eating.

• Rest for at least three hours after having your last meal before taking your sleep.

• A pregnant woman is advised to take more glasses of water a day, at least 8 to 10 glasses, though this must be taken not just during meals. Through this, the stomach will expand, and then the LES will be given more pressure, obliging it to open inappropriately. Hence, it is really recommended to drink more water and other fluids in between meals.

• When sleeping elevate the head of the bed for at least six to eight inches. Try to sleep with an elevated head and shoulders through a wedge pillow. Through this, the gravity will work as much that it will keep the acids in your stomach in their place—in the stomach, not in the esophagus. Try to consult physicians to gain additional knowledge on how to relieve nighttime heartburn.

• Don’t wear tight fitting clothes. Tightness around the waist and stomach will trigger heartburn as it causes uneasiness.

• When bending, do it at the knees, not at the waist. This will avoid in creating too much pressure in the stomach.

• Don’t slouch; rather sit erect in a relaxing chair.

• Maintain a sensible amount of weight, too much weight and fatness will give more stress in your stomach. As a result, this will force stomach contents throughout the LES and to the esophagus. Stay with your doctors guidelines.

• Avoid smoking. Doctors stated that smoking could cause several effects to a pregnant woman, much that it can add to the possibility of experiencing heartburn.

Some lifestyle changes may be needed. for further information on lifestyle changes click here.