Conceiving can be such a wonderful feeling for a woman. The thought of bringing forth a new life is a binding experience for many parents that pregnancy is a much awaited event for many couples. Each woman reacts to pregnancy in her own unique way. That is way signs of pregnancy vary from individual to individual. These signs are cause by the swelling of the uterus which exerts pressure on the stomach and other organs nearby as it grows bigger. Changes in a woman’s body include increased levels of hormones, which act to decrease the digestion of food and bowel function. This allows the body to absorb more nutrients from the food that a pregnant woman eats.
The slow digestion rate caused by pregnancy makes the stomach produce more acid, to cope up with the longer digestion. This excess acid is what is causing heartburn in many pregnant women. But although heartburn is among the signs of pregnancy, it often comes along with other pregnancy signs. Heartburn alone is not a concrete basis that a woman is pregnant. Other signs will include recurrent urination, morning sickness, nausea or vomiting, missed periods, tenderness of the breast, darkening and enlargement of the areola and fatigue. However, the best recourse to determine if you are pregnant is by taking a pregnancy test or by consulting with a gynecologist, who can advice you on your precise condition.
Even if you are sure that you pregnant, as most women who had a child before would know, you must still consult with a medical practitioner if your heartburn gets too severe for comfort. Taking over the counter drugs without a doctor’s prescription can be dangerous for both you and your child. Certain antacids used to relieve heartburn symptoms contain aluminum which should be avoided by pregnant women. Small but frequent meals are also advised usually to aid in the slow digestion rate. Bowel movement can be helped by eating fruits and vegetables and by taking plenty of water. Following your doctor’s advice is also a step in ensuring that you and your baby remain healthy throughout your pregnancy.
