Posts Tagged ‘pregnancy heartburn’

There are many women who suddenly develop uncomfortable heartburn symptoms while they’re pregnant. One of the reasons for this is the elevated hormone levels in a pregnant woman’s body. This causes softening of the ligaments that are responsible for regulating the passageway that leads from the stomach to the esophagus. Therefore, stomach acids are largely unhindered in travelling up to the throat and esophagus.

Another reason why pregnant women experience heartburn is because of increased pressure in the abdominal region due to the growth of the baby. Often that can cause the stomach acids to climb up to the esophagus.

There are lots of options when it comes to easing the distress of heartburn during pregnancy. The following tips should give you some guidance in your search for heartburn relief.

* Avoid foods that trigger heartburn. This includes chocolate, spicy foods, citrus products, tomato based products, as well as fatty and fried foods.

* Don’t drink beverages that are high in caffeine like tea, coffee and cola.

* Keep away from alcohol. It’s harmful to your baby and is also a contributor to heartburn.

* Eat smaller meals. Eating mini meals spaced throughout the day will ease the pressure on the stomach.

* Don’t eat too fast.

* Don’t lie down to sleep until it’s been three hours since your last meal. This will help you avoid nighttime heartburn.

* Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. However, don’t drink too much while you’re eating. This leads to excess stomach expansion which helps to push out the gastric acids in your stomach.

* Keep your head elevated at least six to eight inches when sleeping. A wedge pillow might be useful for this. This will assist gravity to keep the acids in your stomach from making their way up the esophagus.

* Don’t wear tight fitting clothes. Tightness around the waist and stomach will trigger heartburn.

* Bend at the knees, not at the waist. This puts less pressure on your stomach.

* Watch your posture. Sit erect in a comfortable chair.

* Don’t gain an excessive amount of weight. All that surplus fat puts added pressure on the stomach.

* Quit smoking. Not only is it unhealthy for your baby, it contributes to heartburn symptoms.

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