Home Remedies Log

Prevention and Treatment of Heartburn During Pregnancy

heartburn during pregnancy

Heartburn during pregnancy is something that most women experience. It brings about a lot of discomfort and more so if the heartburn occurs on a regular basis. During the pregnancy period heartburn which is also referred to as acid reflux usually becomes worse and is something which is also experienced with expectant women who have never suffered from it before. The good news is, there are various heartburn remedies which help in treating this problem. During pregnancy, heartburn usually starts to develop at the first trimester and gets worse as the pregnancy advances.

Causes of Heartburn in Pregnancy:

Fried as well as spicy foods are known to be the leading cause of heartburn. However, when it comes to expectant women acid reflux is caused by the upsurge of certain hormones which end up creating the uncomfortable burning feeling. Another possible cause of heartburn during pregnancy is the increased levels of progesterone combined with internal abdominal pressure which comes about as a result of the enlarged uterus. This can lead to a reduction in the pressure levels found within the lower esophageal sphincter.

Home Remedies for Pregnancy Heartburn

Due to the fact that a large number of medications can harm the development of the fetus, it is necessary for these expectant mothers to make use of home remedies which are not only effective but also safe for use. Some of these natural remedies which are quite effective in the treatment of heartburn when pregnant include:

• By taking yogurt or drinking a glass full of milk, you will be able to effectively get rid of heartburn.

• You can also stir in a tablespoon full of honey, into a warm glass of milk and you will immediately begin to experience a relief from the discomforts of acid reflux.

• As opposed to eating three big meals, it is advisable for you to take regular meals all through the day but in smaller portions.

• Keep off foods which are spicy and fatty. Tomatoes and peppers have also been known to cause an increase in the production of gastric acid. This increase then leads to pregnancy heartburn.

• It is also important to avoid certain foods which lead to the relaxation cardiac sphincter which is found in the stomach. Examples of such foods include alcohol, peppermint, chocolate as well as garlic.

• Always try to avoid consuming food within a period of two hours before your bedtime.

• Always avoid laying down right after taking a meal in order to stop the food which is already in the stomach from being pushed back into the esophagus thereby leading to pregnancy heartburn.

• There are various mild antacids which are sold over-the-counter and are known to be effective when it comes to relieving heartburn.

• In case you are experiencing severe acid reflux combined with headache further on into the pregnancy, it is advisable for you to seek medical attention as soon as possible as it may be a sign of a more serious condition.

• Making use of more pillows positioned under your head in order to have your stomach maintained at a lower position than the esophagus, will help to give you a good night’s sleep free from heartburn.

Final Word on Heartburn and Pregnancy

I hope you are now more confident about what to do if you have any concerns about heartburn during pregnancy. Always try home remedies first and if the condition still persists, see your doctor.