Pregnancy is a blessing for women. It is a wonderful experience. But heart burn during pregnancy can make you feel uncomfortable and disturbed. Heart burn or acid reflux as you call it in medical term is a common ailment. Anybody can have this heart burn problem. During heartburn you will have burning sensation from the bottom of your breast bone up to your lower throat. This heartburn during pregnancy is due to the physical and hormonal changes that take place in the body. Uterus is composed of smooth muscles. These smooth muscles are relaxed due to the hormone progesterone which is produced by the placenta during the pregnancy period. Due to this hormone the valve between the stomach and the esophagus is also relaxed which results in the reverse flow of gastric acids in to esophagus causing heartburn during pregnancy.
Generally the symptom of heartburn during pregnancy starts at the second half period of your pregnancy. During this period of pregnancy baby occupies more space in the abdominal cavity. So the gastric acids are forced up towards the esophagus resulting in heart burn. Digestion is also poor during pregnancy. Poor digestion is also one of the reasons for heartburn during pregnancy. This condition persists till the delivery of your baby. Heartburn during pregnancy may not be a continuous problem. It usually comes and goes every now and then.
The symptom of heartburn during pregnancy can be avoided by taking some simple measures. You must recognize and avoid beverages and foods which induce the gastro intestinal discomforts. You must avoid drinking aerated drinks and alcohol. Chocolates and caffeine are also not good for heartburn during pregnancy. Acidic foods such as tomatoes, citrus Juices and fruits, over spicy and processed foods, mint products and fried fatty foods must be avoided to prevent heartburn during pregnancy. Instead of eating few large meals you can take small meals frequently at regular intervals. Eating food at a leisurely pace and chewing it properly also helps in avoiding heartburn during pregnancy.
Though you must drink eight to ten glasses of water daily you should not drink it while eating your meal. However, you can take few sips of water in between meals. After meals you can chew chewing gum which activates the salivary glands to produce more saliva. This increase in the saliva is helpful in nullifying the acid and prevents heartburn during pregnancy. Dinner should be eaten at least three hours before going to bed. This helps in proper digestion and prevents heartburn during pregnancy.
Sleeping with your head and upper body in an elevated position also helps to reduce heart burn during pregnancy. Sensible weight gain and following your doctor’s advice also helps you to prevent heartburn during pregnancy. You must wear comfortable clothing which is especially loose at the waist line and tummy. Moreover, instead of bending at the knee level you must try to bend at the waist level.
Smoking can also cause heartburn during pregnancy. Therefore, you should quit smoking. Antacids are helpful in reducing heartburn during pregnancy. However, if you want to take medication for heartburn during pregnancy you must have it under the guidance of the doctor.