Heartburn and Pregnancy

Heartburn during pregnancy is a very common feature. Heartburn and pregnancy often go hand in hand. According to various estimations from 60% to 90% of all pregnant women suffer from heartburn symptoms at some stage of their pregnancy. Why is heartburn during pregnancy so common?

First of all - What is Heartburn?

Acid reflux or heartburn or acid indigestion are the commonly known expressions of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is the flowing back of the acidic juices from the stomach up into the esophagus. (Esophagus is a tube connecting the throat and the stomach.) The lining of the esophagus does not have adequate defense against the harmful effects of the acid contents of the stomach, which causes injury of the esophagus, (like inflammation, sometimes even ulceration) and a burning pain known as heartburn. In most cases the flowing back stomach material remains in the lower part of the esophagus, resulting in heartburn and/or nausea. Read more about acid reflux...

Pregnancy Heartburn Symptoms

If you are pregnant, heartburn symptoms are not ridiculous at all. What exactly are the symptoms of heartburn in pregnancy?

• Discomfort or burning pain in the upper abdomen and/or lower chest area, often behind the breastbone caused by gastric acid reflux is the most important pregnancy heartburn symptom. Heartburn pain originates from the lower part of the esophagus. The pain might be so serious, that severe heartburn can be mixed up with angina or even heart attack.

• Might happen that stomach contents back all the way into the throat and mouth - causing painful burning sensation in the throat, mouth and sour taste in the mouth. Sometimes even small pieces of food are coming back into the mouth. These are the most direct and striking pregnancy heartburn symptoms.

Read more about pregnancy heartburn symptoms and symptoms of acid reflux….

Pregnancy and Heartburn – why are they close companions?

There are two main reasons why heartburn during pregnancy is a particularly common experience.

• Firstly, during pregnancy the placenta produces the hormone progesterone – which has a relaxing effect on smooth muscles including the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Lower esophageal sphincter is a muscular valve separating the esophagus from the stomach. Read more about LES... If the muscular valve is relaxed it becomes leak allowing gastric acids to seep back up into your esophagus causing burning sensation and discomfort behind the breastbone.
• Secondly, the enlarging uterus takes up more and more space of your abdominal cavity, leaving less room for your stomach and therefore increasing abdominal pressure. The upward pressure from the growing womb can easily push gastric contents back up into the esophagus.

Now you can see and understand why heartburn and pregnancy go together so frequently.

Heartburn Relief in Pregnancy

Rushed meals, eating large amounts of food or eating too many rich and potentially irritant foods can all contribute to those feelings of heartburn during pregnancy.
Certain foods and eating habits are considered to promote heartburn during pregnancy. So, it is good to be familiar with the guidelines of acid reflux diet. Read more about acid reflux diet....
Pay attention to which foods seem to produce heartburn to you and try to eliminate them from your diet.

Certain lifestyle changes such as avoiding thight closing and belts around the waist, giving up smoking, elevating the head part of the bed and keeping upright position for minimum 1 hour after meals all may bring relief of heartburn in pregnancy. Read more about lifestyle changes...

Pregnancy Heartburn Relief:

Plain Simple Solutions for Heartburn and Pregnancy

 

• Drink a big glass of plain water as soon as you feel the telltale flicker of heartburn. Do not merely sip it you must gulp it at once. It will wash the acid back down your esophagus into your stomach. If one glass of water is not enough keep on drinking until the pain stops. It works in every and any emergency situations as water is nearly anywhere and anytime available. Just try this basic acid reflux cure.

• Saliva helps to neutralise stomach acid. Therefore chew a piece of sugar-free chewing gum or suck on some sweets in order to increase saliva production. Swallow frequently the excess saliva it helps immediately with heartburn symptoms.

They are simple pregnancy heartburn remedies, aren't they?

Beating Pregnancy Heartburn with Harmless Natural Remedies:

Home Remedies for Heartburn and Pregnancy

 

Acid reflux apple

Are apples helpful for pregnancy heartburn?

Apple is one of the most effective acid reflux cure. Just eat a fresh apple or a slice of apple before bedtime and/or after meals and/or when the heartburn pain comes on. The best type is Jonagold apple, but any sort of green or red or golden apple works. Apples have high pectin content, which binds up excess stomach acid. Sweet apples are better acid reflux remedies than sour acidic ones. If you do not have access to apples or do not want munch on one – apple juice will also do the trick. The positive effect is immediate. Apple is great pregnancy heartburn relief. The saying is right ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’. It is worth to give apples a try. Read about heartburn remedies...

Raw alkaline vegetables – soothing pregnancy heartburn remedies

The juices of alkaline vegetables like cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, celery, zucchini or beetroots help to tame the acid in the stomach and are therefore great acid reflux natural remedies. Drink three or four times a day 100ml vegetable juice on an empty stomach as acid reflux cure. Feel free to combine different vegetables and to add a pinch of salt for flavour. You can also add a hand full of fresh basil and/or marjoram and/or freshly grated root of ginger to the juice to enhance the healing effect. If juicing vegetables is inconvenient or does not appeal to you, just eat some raw alkaline vegetables. Chew a carrot perhaps, but slowly and thoroughly. How simple pregnancy heartburn relief can be…

Olives – pregnancy heartburn relief from the South

Olives are particularly alkaline fruits and rich in natural oil providing a protective covering for the inflamed esophagus lining. Eat 6-10 pieces of green or black olives after meals and/or an hour before bedtime and/or any time you suffer from heartburn pain. It works in minutes. It works wonders.

Popcorn – for heartburn and pregnancy

Regular popcorn acts like a sponge, soaks up excess stomach acid quickly. It is worth a try. Eat some popcorn any time if you feel the discomfort of heartburn.

Milk and dairy products – heartburn relief in pregnancy

Milk or plain yogurt are alkaline and may neutralise some of the gastric acid. Calcium is also great for healthy bones. Sip some milk or eat spoonfuls of organic, plain yogurt after meal times or any time you feel the discomfort. Not all types of plain yogurts are the same, so if you can not stand the first brand just try, experiment with other types. I am sure you will find your favorite pregnancy heartburn relief.

Papaya enzymes – for heartburn and pregnancy

Papaya enzyme is another effective pregnancy heartburn remedy, which is safe during pregnancy. Papaya contains digestive enzymes and can be taken in a variety of ways – fresh, dried, juiced, or even in capsules. Eat a small amount after meals regularly in order to aid digestion and avoid pregnancy heartburn.

Herbal Pregnancy Heartburn Relief:

Herbs for Heartburn and Pregnancy

Give a protective coat your burning esophagus with a sticky herb such as Slippery elm bark. It is safe and time proved pregnancy heartburn remedy.

Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) bark is a highly mucilaginous powder and mixed with some liquid it provides a protective coating to the stomach and esophagus lining. Brings relief from heartburn soon. Add one teaspoon of the powdered bark to a cup of hot water or hot milk and drink a few cups throughout the day. You may flavour it with some honey. If you do not want to bother mixing a drink take slippery elm capsules (200mg) before meals two times a day. It is not absolutely necessary that heartburn and pregnancy should be close companions.

According to the ancient Indian healing system of Ayurveda different spices from the plant family Apiaceae are great heartburn cures. Herbal teas from

• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds and

• Caraway (Carum carvi) seeds are safe during pregnancy. Drink the teas regularly after meals for heartburn and pregnancy.

Both of them have been used as digestive herbs for thousands of years. They can ease the burn, relax the cramps and encourage normal flow of digestion. They bring a fast relief from heartburn in pregnancy.
Add 2 teaspoons of the seeds to 250ml boiling water, allow to infuse for 10 minutes, strain and drink. You might also combine the two different seeds and make a herbal mixture.

Homeopathic Heartburn Cures:

Homeopathy for Heartburn and Pregnancy

Homeopathic remedies have the great advantage, they act quickly, are very easy to use and are absolutely safe. Just let a couple of pills dissolve under your tongue and experience relief from heartburn in a few minutes. Do not hesitate to use them for pregnancy heartburn relief.

• Robinia 6c is made from the plant Robinia pseudoacacia and works wonders very quickly. You can take the remedy up to three times a day. Just try this natural heartburn remedy. You will be surprised.

However, the ultimate pregnancy heartburn remedy will be giving birth. Once the baby arrives, the pregnancy heartburn will become a distant memory as you enjoy your new little one. Heartburn and pregnancy will only be an annoying memory of the past.

Related pages:

Acid Reflux Causes

Acid Reflux Diet

Heartburn Remedies

Acid Reflux Symptoms

Acid Reflux Home Remedies

 

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