It is a common occurrence that affects up to 45% of all pregnant women at some point or another. Often called acid reflux or acid indigestion, it refers to the burning sensation that starts in your chest and travels up your oesophagus or food pipe towards your mouth. Acid reflux during pregnancy can happen at any point in time but is most experienced in the second and third trimesters as the baby is growing bigger. The common symptoms of heartburn in pregnancy include burning in the chest and throat region, belching (burping), chest pain, hoarseness (abnormal voice), and coughing.
Causes
While acid reflux is mainly associated with spicy and fatty foods that can cause indigestion in pregnant women, it can result from any of the following causes of heartburn in pregnancy.
- Your baby is growing: As your baby growsleading up to labour, the uterus expands and places pressure on the stomach. This increases the likelihood (chance) of the digestive acids in your stomach being forced up your food pipe.
- Hormones: As with most other pregnancy-related bodily changes, hormones play a role in heartburn too. The rising progesterone levels in your body relax the muscle that seals the stomach off from the oesophagus, causing acids to move upwards. Apart from this, progesterone also slows down the digestive processes, and food, therefore, tends to stick aroundstay for extended periods of time in the stomach. As the stomach is full for longer, the risk of heartburn increases.
Remedies
Heartburn in pregnancy is not something that can always be avoided or prevented. However, there are many heartburn in pregnancy remedies you can practice to ease the symptoms and reduce the severity of the condition.
- Avoid spicy and acidic foods that increase the likelihood of heartburn, such as citrus fruits, fried foods, sodas, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, onions and garlic, and so on.
- Eat smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day as this helps prevent overeating and allows the stomach to function without it being overwhelmed overloaded.
- Do not lie down while you eat or drink, and always sit up straight. Avoid going to sleep for at least three hours after a meal, as lying down soon after eating is a sure-fire way to suffer heartburn.
- Do not smoke. Smoking not only irritates your system and increases the likelihood of heartburn but can also be severely damaging to both you and your unborn baby.
- Sleep with your head and shoulders slightly elevated. This will allow gravity to keep your food down and prevent acid reflux during the night.
When to visit a doctor
If changes to your diet and lifestyle are not helping you cope with heartburn and bring the condition under control, a visit to your doctor is recommended. Severe heartburn may lead to stomach pains, inability to keep your food down, and weight loss and if you are experiencing any such symptoms, visit your doctor without any delay.
References
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/indigestion-and-heartburn/
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/heartburn-during-pregnancy#treatments
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=pregnancy-and-heartburn-134-10
https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/what-is-heartburn
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4562453/
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