Can Heartburn Be A Sign Of Pregnancy

Pregnancy Sign: Increased Gas

Being gassyor, less eloquently, fartyis no problem when youre chillaxing alone in your threadbare sweatpants, but its next-level horrifying when youre out and about anywhere else. Unfortunately, its one of the more common early pregnancy signs. Expect flatulence during not only the first few weeks of pregnancy but also the next nine months. Inevitably, your unruly gas will strike right in the middle of a work meeting or during a cool-down in your silent yoga class.

About Our Fertility Expert Dr Amin Gorgy

Dr Gorgy co-founded The Fertility & Gynaecology Academy in 2004 and is now its co-director. Previously, he was the deputy director of the Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre. He is a fellow of the;Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a member of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.

Indigestion And Heartburn In Pregnancy

3-minute read

Many women experience indigestion and heartburn while they are pregnant, which can be painful or uncomfortable. There are ways to help avoid or treat indigestion and heartburn, especially if it is mild. Sometimes the feeling of heartburn can be confused with a more serious condition called pre-eclampsia.

Indigestion, also called ‘dyspepsia’, is a feeling of pain or discomfort in the stomach . This mostly occurs after eating or drinking but can happen some time after.

If you have indigestion in the early stage of your pregnancy, this may be caused by changes in your hormone levels. In the second or third trimester, indigestion becomes more common and may be caused by your baby pushing up against your stomach. As many as 8 in 10 women may have indigestion during their pregnancy.

Symptoms of indigestion may include:

• heartburn
• reflux or regurgitation
• burping
• feeling heavy, bloated or full
• feeling sick
• vomiting

Heartburn is a burning pain in the throat or chest, behind the breastbone, caused by stomach acid coming up the oesophagus and irritating the lining.

In pregnant women, indigestion and heartburn can be caused by:

• eating a big meal
• drinking fruit juice or caffeinated beverages
• doing physical activity soon after eating
• bending over
• feeling anxious

It’s a good idea to take note of the particular foods, drinks or activities that give you indigestion while you are pregnant.

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Medicines For Indigestion And Heartburn

Medicines for indigestion and heartburn during pregnancy include:

• antacids; to;neutralise the acid in your stomach
• alginates; to;relieve indigestion caused by acid reflux by stopping the acid in your stomach coming back up your gullet

You may only need to take antacids and alginates when you start getting symptoms. However,;your GP may recommend taking them before symptoms come on for example, before a meal or before bed.

If you’re taking iron supplements as well as;antacids, do not take them at the same time. Antacids can stop iron from being absorbed by your body.

If antacids and alginates do not improve your symptoms, your GP may prescribe a medicine to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. 2 that are;widely used in pregnancy and not known to be harmful to an unborn baby are:

• ranitidine a tablet you take twice a day
• omeprazole a tablet you take once a day

Early Pregnancy Signs: Heartburn Gas Tender Breasts And More

Think you might be pregnant? Here are the most common pregnancy signs in the first month.

When youre hoping to be pregnant and you havent missed your period yetor its a day or two lateits pretty easy to interpret nearly any physical symptom as a sign of pregnancy. Its not uncommon to feel symptoms in the first week or two of your pregnancyor even earlier. Some women experience pregnancy symptoms from the moment of conception, says Karen Nordahl, a general practitioner and obstetrician in Vancouver and co-author of Fit to Deliver. Usually, this is second- or third-time moms who remember a particular sensation, such as increased gas. But many first-time moms miss these early pregnancy signs because the very first symptoms arent necessarily the ones we associate with having a baby on the way. So, yes, while some women experience nausea or hypersensitivity to smells, these seven symptoms are among the most common during the first few weeks of pregnancy.

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Treating Heartburn During Pregnancy

Since heartburn is such a common symptom of pregnancy, tons of treatments have been developed that you can try out. The Heartburn No More website is a great source of tips and tricks on how to relieve the symptoms during both the first, second and third trimester.

First of all, you should try chewing more gum! No matter how simple this may sound, chewing gum, especially the sugarless and non-minty ones, can solve the problem of excessive acid in your stomach, thus preventing the reflux to your esophagus.

Another tip is to supplement your diet with nuts such as almonds. This will not only be of great benefit to your overall health but will also help neutralize the acids with their alkaline properties.

Other foods that are good for this purpose are greens including kale, spinach and broccoli. While fruits can help, you will want to avoid citrus fruits. Instead, focus on dried papaya which is a great source of vitamins A and C.

Also, adding milk or yogurt to your diet may give you a much-needed sensation of relief. Yoghurt is a good option due to its probiotics. Milk can be combined with honey to provide your stomach with some comfort and relieve possible inflammation.

Last but not least, you should try treating heartburn by investing more time in regular light exercise including stretching and yoga. Also, try to avoid stress and counter it with a 15-minute meditation session daily.

Preventive Measures For Heartburn During Pregnancy

• No one knows your body better than you. Keep track of foods triggering heartburn. Try to avoid them as much as you can. Stay away from carbonated drinks and consuming caffeine.

Heartburn is an early sign of pregnancy, which is caused because of acid reflux in the esophagus. However, it can be cured with slight changes in diet and the medicines suggested by doctors.

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Other Early Signs Of Pregnancy

These early pregnancy symptoms tend to appear around or after the time that you miss your period, usually sometime between weeks 4 and 9. But again, every woman and every pregnancy is different, so you may not experience these symptoms at all, while other moms-to-be may notice them a little earlier.

Missed period

It might be stating the obvious, but if you’ve missed a period , you’re probably suspecting pregnancy, and for good reason. A missed period is one early pregnancy symptom all expectant moms experience!

Bloating

Having trouble buttoning your jeans? Early pregnancy bloating is hard to distinguish from pre-period bloat, but it’s an early pregnancy symptom that many women feel soon after they conceive.

You can’t blame that puffy, ate-too-much feeling on your baby yet, but you can blame it on the hormone progesterone, which helps slow down digestion, giving the nutrients from foods you eat more time to enter your bloodstream and reach your baby.

Unfortunately, bloating is often accompanied by constipation. Getting the right amount of fiber in your diet can help keep you regular.

Heartburn and indigestion

For many women, heartburn is a frustrating symptom that can appear sometime around month 2 of pregnancy. Its caused by the hormones progesterone and relaxin, which relax smooth muscle tissues throughout your body, resulting in food moving more slowly through your gastrointestinal tract.

Medications like Tums and Rolaids can help, as can chewing sugarless gum.

Losing Your Mucus Plug

The mucus plug is a pivotal part of pregnancy. Like its name suggests, itâs a large âplugâ within the cervical canal that is shed shortly before or during labor. That said, thereâs no guarantee that losing your mucus plug means that labor is coming. âA woman can lose her mucus plug weeks to months before the onset of labor,â explains Dr. Nwegbo-Banks. âIt does not indicate labor if mom is comfortable and without regular uterine contractions.â

Still, when your mucus plug dislodges, itâs definitely a sign that labor likely isnât too terribly far off. âEven though some people may lose their plug weeks before the baby is born, I like to think of it as a sign your body is moving in the right direction,â Jada Shapiro, a birth doula, maternal health expert, and founder of Boober tells Romper. âIf you are also experiencing sensations in your cervix which come and go even if they are quite far apart and you release your plug, it’s a good sign that you are experiencing early labor.â

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Nausea And Morning Sickness

Nausea is the feeling of sickness that makes you want to vomit. It is sometimes called feeling queasy in the stomach.

The discomfort occurs in the upper stomach but may not always lead to vomiting. Morning sickness may start to occur as early as the first 3 weeks before a missed period.

• It can get heightened during implantation.
• During implantation, the body produces the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin .
• HCG has been linked with morning sickness and vomiting.

Nausea that is caused by pregnancy can occur any time of the day. It is very common in the morning but it can occur at noon and even in the evenings. Constantly feeling like you want to vomit should start to subside by the second trimester.

Frequent Urination And Incontinence During Early Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body increase the amount of blood it pumps. This causes the kidney to process more fluid than usual, which leads to more fluid in your bladder.

Hormones also play a large role in bladder health. You may find yourself running to the bathroom more frequently or accidentally leaking.

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Sour Or Metallic Taste

Forum mum;sealeyB says she had a really metallic taste in her mouth very soon after ovulation and it didnt go for 2 weeks. And shes definitely not alone in experiencing this early pregnancy symptom.

Experiencing strange tastes, known as dysgeusia, is one of the lesser-known but actually quite common early pregnancy signs, says Dr. Amin Gorgy. And, once again, pregnancy hormones are the culprit.

The metallic taste symptom can vary in its intensity but its definitely sour.;Its as if I have sucked 2p pieces! says forum mum-to-be;Deli3.

• Could there be other reasons why you have a strange taste in your mouth?

Acne And Pimple Spots

Pimple spots and acne bumps on your face could a physical symptom you are pregnant. Hormonal changes can give your skin a flush and leave you looking brighter than usual.

You can also get a few spots and bumps, or just an acne breakout as soon as you conceive.

Try not to pick at the pimples and acne spots. You can end up with infected zits on your face. Note that you may get a few acne bumps on your chin or face even if you never get them at all or during your PMS.

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Consider Avoiding Certain Foods Drinks And Large Meals

Some foods and drinks may make reflux worse in some people. It is difficult to be certain to what extent specific foods contribute to the problem. Let common sense be your guide. If it seems that a food is causing symptoms, try avoiding it for a while to see if symptoms improve. Foods and drinks that have been suspected of making symptoms worse in some people include:

• Peppermint.
• Coffee.
• Alcoholic drinks.

Also, avoid large meals if they bring on symptoms. Some women find that eating smaller meals more frequently is helpful.

When To See A Doctor

You should call your healthcare provider if you:

• Experience heartburn that doesnt go away
• Have heartburn that wakes you up at night
• Have trouble swallowing
• Have;black poop
• Are losing weight

If you have chest pain but never had heartburn before, you should see your doctor or seek emergency medical attention right away. It could be a sign of a heart attack.

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If You’re Taking Prescription Medicines

Speak to your GP if you’re taking medicine for another condition, such as antidepressants,;and;you think it may be making your indigestion worse. They may be able to prescribe an alternative medicine.

Never stop taking a prescribed medicine unless you’re advised to do so by your GP or another qualified healthcare professional who’s responsible for your care.

Pregnancy Sign: Sore Breasts

Before you start cursing your bra for suddenly feeling more like a contraption from the hardware store than the lacy lingerie that took a serious chunk out of your paycheque, consider that your newly sore boobs could be a sign that youre pregnant. Breast tenderness is another common early pregnancy sign, according to Nordahl. For many women, what can make this symptom particularly confusing is that breast soreness is also a very common sign of your period. But early on in your pregnancy, your breasts may hurt because theyre expanding in preparation for producing milk.

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What Makes It Better

For most women, things that help reduce acid production or prevent reux are helpful in avoiding the discomfort of heartburn. Here are tips that may help:

• Avoid classic spicy foods, as well as those with lots of fat or grease. Many people recommend avoiding citrus and chocolate, as well.

• Eat multiple, small meals spread throughout the day, much like grazing, instead of three big meals.

• Try elevating the head of your bed by several inches, and wait a while after eating before going to bed or lying down.

Some women find that its better to drink fluids between meals, rather than with a meal. This can increase the amount of contents in the stomach.

If your symptoms do not improve after the above recommended diet and;lifestyle changes are;in place,;talk with your healthcare provider about over-the-counter medicines. Antacids are available as chewable tablets and liquids. They work by coating the lining of the esophagus and stomach and neutralizing stomach acid. Heartburn medicines called H2-blockers work by reducing the amount of acid made by your stomach. Although most of these are considered safe in pregnancy, as with all medicines, these should be avoided in the first trimester.

Early Warning Signs And Symptoms Of Pregnancy

The signs and symptoms of pregnancy differ from woman to woman. All the signs of pregnancy may not be seen in one person. Additionally, the signs may appear in different persons at different times. Below are a few common signs and symptoms that may indicate early pregnancy:

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Extreme Sense Of Smell

This is another symptom associated with later pregnancy signs, but some women noticed this very early on!

I know this extreme smell thing was way more intense at the start, and kind of leveled out near the end For me, the smell of goat milk normally was great, then I got pregnant and it made me gag, and at the end of the pregnancy it kind of bothered me but I was alright!

What Are The Symptoms Of Heartburn Or Acid Reflux

Heartburn feels like a strong burning sensation in the chest and can be extremely uncomfortable. It is also known as acid reflux and indigestion .

Heartburn can show itself as a discomfort , bloating, wind, burping and nausea. Youll be able to compare notes with a lot of other mum friends as up to eight out of ten pregnant women get heartburn .

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What To Do When You Think You’re In Labor

When all the signs seem to indicate that itâs showtime, youâll need to get yourself together. First, you should time your contractions, advises Dr. Nwegbo-Banks. âWhen it’s time to have a baby, the biggest signs are painful contractions with cervical dilation,â she says. âOther signs of labor include regular contractions about every five to 10 minutes in the abdomen and may radiate to the vaginal area and to the lower back.â If youâre unsure if birth is imminent, you can always call your OB/GYN or midwife and give her an update on your status. Just be sure to grab your hospital or birthing bag so that you have everything you need prior to Baby making its debut.

It can be hard to know what is a true sign of labor â and whatâs a typical pregnancy pain. But by being aware of all of the signs of labor, youâll be ready to bring your beautiful baby into the world with hopefully a quick and relatively painless labor and delivery. .

Studies referenced:

Raines, D., Cooper, D. . Braxton Hicks Contractions. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470546/

Vazquez, J. . Heartburn in pregnancy. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26348641/

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