Keep Heartburn at BayDuring Pregnancy

The lower oesophageal sphincter might relax due to the pregnancy hormone progesterone. Your uterus grows bigger as your child develops. You risk having a crowded stomach that forces stomach acids into your oesophagus. Heartburn is therefore more frequent in the third trimester, the final few months of pregnancy.

Major heartburn affects more than half of expectant mothers, especially in the second and third trimesters. Acid indigestion, also known as heartburn, is an oesophageal irritation or burning (the tube that carries food and liquid to your stomach when you swallow). During pregnancy, your hormone levels vary, which has an impact on how you absorb and digest food. Your digestive tract frequently slows down due to hormones. The lower oesophageal sphincter might relax due to the pregnancy hormone progesterone. Your uterus grows bigger as your child develops. You risk having a crowded stomach that forces stomach acids into your oesophagus. Heartburn is therefore more frequent in the third trimester, the final few months of pregnancy. At that time, your other organs are squeezed by the uterus and growing foetus.

Indigestion and heartburn signs

Indigestion and heartburn signs and symptoms include:

• a burning sensation or pain in the chest
• feeling full, heavy or bloated
• burping or belching
• feeling or being sick
• bringing up food

However, there might occasionally be a delay between eating and the onset of symptoms. Indigestion symptoms typically appear shortly after eating or drinking. Although you can experience symptoms at any time during your pregnancy, they start to occur more frequently about 27 weeks.

How To Prevent Heartburn during pregnancy

Following are some suggestions to prevent heartburn when pregnant:

Healthy eating

If you are quite full, indigestion is more likely to occur. It may be tempting to eat more than you typically would when pregnant, but doing so may not be healthy for you or the unborn child.

Modify your diet and drinking routines

Changing your eating habits may help you manage your indigestion. Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day as opposed to three large meals can be beneficial. Symptoms can also be reduced by consuming fewer rich, spicy, or fatty foods and beverages with caffeine.

Remain erect while eating

When you eat, sit up straight. Your stomach will feel less pressure as a result. When you go to bed, raising your head and shoulders can prevent stomach acid from rising up while you sleep.

Quit smoking

Smoking while expecting can lead to indigestion and have a negative impact on both your and the unborn child's health. The toxins you breathe in when smoking might aggravate dyspepsia. These substances may relax the muscular ring at the base of your gullet, facilitating easier reflux of stomach acid. Smoking raises your baby's risk of being born prematurely (before to week 37 of pregnancy), low birthweight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Skip the alcohol

Alcohol consumption might lead to indigestion. It can cause the unborn child long-term harm throughout pregnancy. It's best to avoid alcohol altogether while pregnant.

Avoid eating three hours before bedtime

Giving digestion a headstart before you lie down for the night will help you manage your heartburn because lying down slows the emptying of your stomach.

When you go to sleep, raise your head six to nine inches

Placing pillows under your shoulders, lifting the head of your bed with blocks placed underneath the bed's legs, or purchasing a specific wedge pillow to place between the mattress and box spring are the simplest ways to accomplish this. Another strategy to use gravity to your advantage when sleeping is to prop yourself up.

Consume milk and other dairy products

Heartburn discomfort can be lessened by consuming dairy products, especially natural yoghurt, or by drinking milk, ideally skimmed. Milk reduces inflammation and relieves the signs and symptoms of heartburn by forming a thin barrier in the stomach lining.

Eat a pear or apple

Fruits like apples and pears help control the stomach's acidity, which lessens the discomfort and fatigue it causes. As soon as heartburn symptoms start, you are suggested to eat these fruits (with the peel).

Having something cool to drink or eat

Heartburn discomfort can be relieved by consuming ice cream, very cold milk, or water, which makes it safe to consume while pregnant.

Consume crackers

Crackers are beneficial for alleviating pregnancy-related heartburn issues. This kind of food can absorb any extra stomach acid that may be causing heartburn.

Consult your doctor if your heartburn persists. They are able to issue prescriptions for medicines that are safe to use while pregnant.

You should also call your provider if you:

• Have heartburn that wakes you up at night
• Have trouble swallowing
• Are losing weight

Heart attack symptoms and those of heartburn can be identical. If you've never had heartburn before and are experiencing chest problems, call your doctor or go to the emergency room at a nearby hospital.