Heartburn is a burning sensation beneath the breastbone area and may rise up to the lower throat. Heartburn, also called acid indigestion or acid reflux, is a common condition for men and women alike and usually occurs after meals, especially for persons who sleep shortly after. For women, first signs of heartburn usually occur during pregnancy because of the hormonal and physical changes that happen. Heartburn on pregnant women does not pose any threat to the developing baby or to the mother but it can add up to the general discomfort that a woman has when she is expecting.
The hormone progesterone that is produced by the placenta during pregnancy usually weakens the LES or the Lower Esophageal Sphincter that protects the esophagus from the harmful acids of the stomach. With the LES not functioning properly, women are more susceptible to heartburn during pregnancy. Progesterone also slows down digestion so pregnant women with heartburn may feel bloated after meals. Plus, the developing baby crowds the space in your stomach and as a result, the gastric juices tend to reflux back to the esophagus.
Here are some tips on how you can relieve yourself of heartburn during pregnancy:
• Avoid acidic and citrus foods and drinks such as carbonated drinks and sodas, caffeine, alcohol, citric juices, chocolate, etc.
• Instead of eating the usual three full meals a day, start eating small frequent meals. Your stomach has become smaller now due to the space given to the baby so a full meal will only make you feel more uneasy and bloated.
• Avoid drinking too much water during meals for easier digestion.
• Don’t sleep right after meals. Two to three hours of digestion time is recommended to lessen or, in fact, avoid heartburn.
• Elevate the head of your bed to stop acid from refluxing back to the esophagus.
• Avoid wearing tight clothes especially on the abdominal area. You will need this anyway due to the bulge on your stomach.
• Don’t put pressure on your abdominal area. Instead bend your knees if you need to pick something up.
• Ask your doctor for the best heartburn remedy that you can use during pregnancy.
