How to prevent heartburn during pregnancy?

Heartburn during pregnancy

A lot of women will experience heartburns during pregnancy. For women who’ve never experienced heartburns earlier, it may occur for the first time during pregnancy. A burning sensation in the chest and throat, as well as a sour, acidic taste in the mouth, shall all be experienced by most of them.

Heartburn during pregnancy occurs for various reasons. Increased levels of hormones in body during pregnancy can soften the ligaments which keep the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tightly closed. If the LES relaxes at inappropriate times, then it is likely that the food and stomach acids will reflux into your esophagus and throat. In addition, increased pressure is exerted on your stomach as your body changes and the baby grows. This, in turn, can force the stomach’s contents through LES and into the esophagus.

Although you might not be able to eliminate heartburns totally, you can take some precautionary steps to minimize your discomfort.

Heartburn remedies during pregnancy

• Relief from heartburns during pregnancy can be achieved by eating yogurt or may be drinking a glass of milk.

• Try a glass of warm milk with a tablespoon of honey in it for relief from pregnancy heartburns.

• Eat smaller but more frequent meals throughout the day rather than 3 large meals.

• Don't eat foodstuff that are known to trigger heartburn, for instance, chocolate, tomatoes and tomato-based products, citrus fruits and juices, mustard, vinegar, mint products, as well as spicy, highly seasoned, fried, or fatty foods

• Avoid drinks that contain caffeine (cola, coffee, tea,) as these can relax the LES and allow acid to reflux into the esophagus.

• Avoid spicy, greasy and fatty foods; tomatoes and peppers produce extra gastric acid resulting in pregnancy heartburns.

• Avoid foods which relax the cardiac sphincter of the stomach for instance alcohol, garlic, peppermint, and chocolate.

• Avoid eating for at least 2 hours before going to bed.

• Do not lie down immediately after eating so as to prevent the food from flowing back into esophagus resulting in pregnancy heartburn.

• Mild over-the-counter antacids like Mylanta or Tums may well prove helpful in relieving heartburn pregnancy symptoms.

• It's really very essential to drink plenty of water during pregnancy (8-10 glasses daily) along with other fluids, but not at mealtimes. Large quantities of fluids can distend your stomach, putting additional pressure on LES and forcing it to open inappropriately. Drink fluids in between meals.

• Wear loose and comfortable clothing. Avoid any tightness around your stomach and waist

• If your heartburn symptoms are turning out to be really severe or are accompanied by headaches and swelling (especially in the later stages of pregnancy) consult your doctor or health care provider right away as you may have pre-eclampsia of pregnancy.

• Gain a rational amount of weight and stay within the guidelines given by your doctor or health care provider. Being overweight and being obese, puts a lot of pressure on your stomach, and can force the stomach contents through the LES into the esophagus.

• Avoid smoking. Smoking is likely to increase your odds of experiencing heartburn.

• Using extra pillows while sleeping by keeping pillows under your head keeps the stomach lower than your esophagus and works really well to give you a better start in the morning as well as better sleep at the night.

• The most effective heartburn remedy during pregnancy is to try to prevent heartburn from developing in the first place. The healthier you are before your pregnancy and the healthier diet you follow during pregnancy can have a direct connection to the amount of pregnancy symptoms you will have.