Managing Heartburn During Pregnancy
An unfortunate, yet common, symptom of pregnancy is heartburn. Not all pregnant women experience heartburn, but if you do, there are ways to manage it. In today’s post, I’ll share common causes of heartburn in pregnant and how you may be able to prevent or improve symptoms of it.
What is heartburn?
Acid reflux, also known as heartburn, occurs when acid from your stomach backs up into your esophagus and causes a burning sensation in your chest. As your baby grows, he or she puts pressure on your stomach, which can lead to heartburn because contents from the stomach are more likely to be pressed from the stomach back into the esophagus. Hormonal changes in pregnancy can also cause the opening between your esophagus and your stomach to relax, which can also lead to heartburn.
Heartburn can feel like a burning sensation or pain in the chest. It may also cause burping, nausea, or vomiting. Symptoms tend to worsen in the second and third trimesters but can occur anytime during pregnancy.
Foods to limit or avoid
There are certain foods that may worsen heartburn, such as:
Greasy and fatty foods (fried chicken, French fries, burgers, pizza, etc)
Spicy foods
Citrus fruits, like oranges
Tomato-based foods, like pizza or spaghetti sauce
Caffeine-containing drinks, like coffee or tea
Chocolate
How to manage heartburn
Modifying your food choices is often the first thing you can do to manage heartburn. Try limiting for avoiding the foods listed above as well as:
Chewing your food well
Eating slowly
Eating several smaller meals and snacks throughout the day rather than 3 large meals
Drinking liquids between meals instead of during meals
Other than limiting certain foods or modifying your eating habits, you can also try these tips for managing heartburn:
Avoid lying down soon after eating - try to sit upright or stand for at least 1-2 hours after eating
Avoid slouching or bending over during and after eating
Elevate your head with extra pillows while sleeping
Avoid wearing tight clothing, which can put added pressure on your stomach
Manage stress
Ask your doctor about safe antacids during pregnancy
As you can see, heartburn is a common complaint in pregnancy, but with a few simple lifestyle changes, such as watching what you eat and staying upright after eating, this pesky symptom can be managed.
