Wednesday, March 27, 2024

How To Help Heartburn When Pregnant

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When Can I Expect The Heartburn To End During Pregnancy

How can I ease heartburn during pregnancy? – Reston Hospital Center

Unfortunately, heartburn is a symptom youâre likely to experience throughout your entire pregnancy if you have it at all.

In fact, even if you escaped indigestion early on in your pregnancy, thereâs a good chance youâll have a surge starting around the second or third trimesters, when your uterus takes over your abdominal cavity and forces your stomach upwards.

Fortunately, the burn should clear up as soon as you give birth.

Symptoms Of Heartburn During Pregnancy

Common heartburn symptoms reported by pregnant women include:

  • A burning feeling in the chest just behind the breastbone that occurs after eating and lasts a few minutes to several hours
  • Chest pain, especially after bending over, lying down, or eating
  • Burning in the throat — or hot, sour, or salty-tasting fluid at the back of the throat
  • Wheezing or other asthma-like symptoms

Was It Something I Ate

You expected the swollen ankles, the morning sickness, and the burgeoning breasts. But this burning indigestion? Whered that come from?

As the name implies, heartburn feels like a fiery churning that starts behind your breastbone and travels up your esophagus, a tube connecting your throat to your stomach. These acids can even make it all the way up your throat.

In addition to feeling a burning sensation which can last several minutes to several hours you may also:

  • feel bloated
  • have a sour taste in your mouth
  • have a sore throat
  • cough frequently

While the burrito you ate for dinner probably didnt help matters , the burning feeling you have has more to do with hormones than jalapenos.

45 percent of moms-to-be experience heartburn. And if you had heartburn before pregnancy, youre even more likely to have it during.

Heartburn can fire up, so to speak, at any point in pregnancy, but its most common during the second and third trimesters. Experts arent exactly sure what causes the smoldering, but they suspect its a three-pronged problem.

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Listen To What Your Body Is Telling You

What you can eat during pregnancy is largely dependent on how certain foods make you feel. In your first trimester, you likely had aversions and foods that induced nausea just by looking at them. Now, certain foods may trigger heartburn. Fat, caffeine, chocolate, and citrus fruits are all common foods that cause heartburn during pregnancy. Know your triggers and stay away from them.

Very Early Signs Of Pregnancy 1 Week

How to Treat Heartburn during Pregnancy

Among the early signs of pregnancy, some are more well known than others.

Some of the more common pregnancy symptoms are:

  • Missed period

These women are more likely to notice symptoms, or changes in their body.

But what if youre not one of these women, or if you have more unusual symptoms?

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How To Lower Your Risk Of Heartburn During Pregnancy

For some women, diet and lifestyle changes during pregnancy can lessen the likelihood of heartburn. Suggestions from OB/GYNs include: monitoring overall food consumption, eating smaller meals throughout the day, and reducing caffeine intake.2 Avoid eating or drinking too close to bedtime and stay away from spicy and fatty foods to lower your risk of occasional heartburn after dinner and at night.2 As far as specific items are concerned, citrus fruits and chocolate have been linked to trigger heartburn during pregnancy.6

When To Get Medical Help

See your midwife or GP if you need help managing your symptoms or if changes to your diet and lifestyle do not work. They may recommend medicine to ease your symptoms.

You should also see your midwife or GP if you have any of the following:

  • difficulty eating or keeping food down
  • weight loss
  • stomach pains

Your midwife or GP may ask about your symptoms and examine you by pressing gently on different areas of your chest and stomach to see whether it’s painful.

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How Do You Get Rid Of Heartburn When Your Pregnant

Heartburn can be uncomfortable, but heres how to fire back: Watch what you eat. Eat frequent small meals instead of three a day. Sit up straight when you eat. Dont eat within three hours of going to bed. Dont smoke. Elevate your head 6 to 9 inches when you sleep. Wear loose-fitting clothing. Drink after meals, not with them.

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How Do You Treat Heartburn During Pregnancy

12 Ways to Soothe Heartburn in Pregnancy | Health

Besides taking Gaviscon, Pepcid, or some other over-the-counter concoction that may or may not be suitable for pregnant women, there are quite a few natural, organic remedies that you can use to quell the burning sensation. Chewing on sugarless gum is a surefire way to increase saliva production, which can neutralize excess acid in your esophagus. Note that sugarless gum does contain artificial sweeteners, but it is usually fine in moderation. Also note that mint can often exacerbate heartburn in some people, so opt for a non-minty flavor if it happens to affect you.

There are several foods you can eat that make things easier on your tummy as well. Almonds also help neutralize stomach acids and are a good source of protein. They also make a great snack. Almond milk will work for this too, as will cows milk, warmed up with a spoonful a liquid sweetener. These base liquids will also help neutralize the discordant acids of the stomach. Papaya is high in vitamins A and C, and has been known to calm sour stomachs for years. Try it fresh, dried, or freeze-dried all of them will do the trick.

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Causes Of Heartburn During Pregnancy

Heartburn in pregnancy may happen because of changing hormone levels, which can affect the muscles of the digestive tract and how your body handles different foods.

Pregnancy hormones can cause your lower esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing stomach acids to flow back up into your esophagus. Also, as your baby grows, your enlarged uterus can crowd the abdomen, pushing stomach acids upward. Although its rare, gallstones can also cause heartburn during pregnancy.

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Cut Down On Problematic Foods

Forget about foods that are very spicy, salty or fatty during your pregnancy

Spicy foods contain a chemical compound called capsaicin, which can irritate your oesophagus, worsening the symptoms of heartburn.

The connection between salt and heartburn remains a mystery for researchers, but the bottom line is that a diet high in sodium may be a cause of heartburn, even though generally healthy people do not seem to suffer from it. Avoiding salt in pregnancy is a general recommendation anyway, as salt promotes water retention, bloating and high blood pressure.

Lastly, fatty foods cause your lower oesophageal sphincter to relax, which again lets the stomach acid travel all the way up to your throat. Additionally, fat promotes the production of the hormone cholecystokinin, which enables the food to stay in your stomach for longer, thus increasing the risk of acid reflux.

Up for a bonus tip? Excellent! Have you ever thought about having a glass of Donat? Because this natural mineral water is a lot more than a sure-fire way to fight off slow digestion or constipation. If you suffer from acid reflux issues, drinking Donat will neutralise the stomach acid in your food pipe and help get rid of that burning feeling!

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What Does Heartburn Feel Like

Heartburn typically feels like a burning in the center of your chest, behind your breastbone. When you have heartburn, you may also feel symptoms like:

  • A burning feeling in your chest that can last anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours.
  • Pain in your chest when you bend over or lay down.
  • A burning feeling in your throat.
  • A hot, sour, acidic or salty taste in the back of your throat.
  • Difficulty swallowing.

Heartburn And Indigestion During Pregnancy

Home Remedies for Heartburn

Once the nausea of early pregnancy wanes, many women look forward to enjoying their meals again. However, around the middle of pregnancy, heartburn and indigestion may spoil the party. These discomforts can happen at any time, but are more common in the second and third trimesters. Fortunately, theyre rarely serious and are easily treatable.

What are heartburn and indigestion?

Heartburn which actually has nothing to do with your heart is marked by a burning sensation after meals in your throat or in your chest behind the breastbone. Its caused by stomach acid coming in contact with the esophagus . A valve at the bottom of that pipe seals off the top of the stomach when youre not eating, but when valve is overly relaxed, partially digested food and stomach acid sometimes make their way back up into the esophagus, irritating its sensitive lining.

The chief symptom of heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest. You may also experience a sour taste in your mouth or the unpleasant feeling that vomit is rising in your throat.

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a general term for digestion-related pain or discomfort in the abdomen. Symptoms of indigestion include heartburn, excess gas, bloating, burping, and feeling too full after a normal meal.

Both heartburn and indigestion are common conditions during pregnancy and rarely require medical attention.

What causes heartburn and indigestion during pregnancy?

How can I prevent heartburn?

References

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How Can Heartburn During Pregnancy Be Prevented

You can take steps to reduce heartburn symptoms without hurting your baby.

Dietary changes:

  • Eat several small meals throughout the day instead of three large ones.
  • Eat slowly.
  • Drink between your meals, but not with meals.
  • Avoid fried, spicy or fatty foods.
  • Avoid citrus fruits and juices.
  • Limit caffeine.
  • Dont smoke and avoid alcohol. Besides causing heartburn, smoking and drinking during pregnancy can cause health problems for the baby.

Other tips to avoid heartburn during pregnancy:

  • Sit up straight when you eat.
  • Dont eat late at night.
  • Dont lie down right after eating.
  • Keep the head of your bed higher than the foot of the bed. Or try placing pillows under your shoulders. Doing so helps prevent stomach acids from rising into your chest.

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.

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How Can Heartburn In Pregnancy Be Relieved

Although heartburn can last for the entire pregnancy, there are some things you can do to relieve the feelings.

Some suggestions are:

  • Eat a high fiber diet
  • Dont eat late at night
  • Dont eat and then lie down
  • Sleep propped up, not completely horizontal
  • Eat a diet low in acidic and fatty foods.

Its best to try to treat heartburn during pregnancy naturally.

Although its unpleasant, heartburn isnt usually serious enough to take stronger measures.

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Ginger And Acupressure Relieve Morning Sickness

Instantly Relieve Heartburn | PREGNANCY REFLEXOLOGY

Answer: Old Wives Tale

Bad news for the 70 percent of pregnant women who experience nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: There is no truly reliable treatment for morning sickness. Authors of a Cochrane systematic review analyzed 27 studies involving more than 4,000 pregnant women and found that not a single commonly used remedy, including ginger, acupuncture, acupressure, vitamin B6 and anti-nausea drugs, could be deemed effective.

we found little evidence to support these popular therapies, says study co-author Dónal OMathúna, Ph.d., a senior lecturer at Dublin City University school of Nursing in ireland. But this doesnt mean you shouldnt try them . Some of these therapies might work for some women, OMathúna says. Plus, the placebo effect can be very powerful.

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Foods That Help With Heartburn During Pregnancy

There are certain foods that double as natural remedies for heartburn during pregnancy. Some of these home remedies for heartburn during pregnancy may work well for certain women but not for others. Find out what works best for you among these foods that help with heartburn during pregnancy.

  • It is recommended to eat multiple small low-acid meals per day, and to avoid lying down during an hour of eating.
  • Melons and bananas are good as they have low acid content.
  • Fermented foods.

Foods that contain probiotics, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and tempeh, are incredibly beneficial for digestion. They are full of enzymes and they help to promote the secretion of digestive juices. This keeps things running smoothly and prevents problems like indigestion and heartburn.

  • Green vegetables such as broccoli, beans.
  • Bread, especially whole grain.

Otc Medications May Also Help

If changes to your lifestyle and diet dont work, thats when doctors may recommend medication.

  • Antacids:Most antacids are considered safe in pregnancy and are compatible with breastfeeding, Sridhar says. Antacids are OTC medications like Rolaids, Tums, and Maalox. And while they may be OTC, if youre pregnant, you should consult your doctor before taking them.
  • H2 blockers: If antacids dont work, a doctor may prescribe H2 blockers like Pepcid. H2 blockers can relieve heartburn because they help you produce less hydrochloric acid in your stomach, thereby preventing heartburn before it even starts.
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors: If antacids and H2 blockers dont work, your doctor may prescribe proton pump inhibitors like Nexium or Prevacid.

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Consume Apple Cider Vinegar

Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is one of the best things you can have to control heartburn during pregnancy.

Even though apple cider vinegar is acidic, it helps balance the acid production in the stomach or buffer the acid activity.

Apple cider vinegar is also good your health and the baby growing inside your womb.

  • Simply add 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a glass of water.
  • Drink it 30 minutes before eating a meal.
  • Do this on a regular basis.
  • Is Heartburn A Sign Of Pregnancy

    Let

    During pregnancy, there are so many changes Taking place in your body.

    Youll feel all kinds of things youve never felt before some good and some bad.

    When youre trying to conceive, youll probably analyse everything you feel every month.

    It can be difficult to tell whether symptoms you have are pregnancy symptoms or not.

    Some symptoms are more obvious than others.

    In this article, were focusing on heartburn as a pregnancy symptom.

    Is heartburn a sign of pregnancy?

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    Symptoms Of Indigestion And Heartburn

    Symptoms of indigestion and heartburn include:

    • a burning sensation or pain in the chest
    • feeling full, heavy or bloated
    • burping or belching
    • feeling or being sick
    • bringing up food

    Symptoms usually come on soon after eating or drinking, but there can sometimes be a delay between eating and developing indigestion.

    You can get symptoms at any point during your pregnancy, but they are more common from 27 weeks onwards.

    Who Is The Most Likely To Get Heartburn

    While no one is exempt from heartburn, OB/GYNs say there are certain factors that make it more likely for pregnant women. For instance, women who experience heartburn before pregnancy are also more likely to experience heartburn during pregnancy. Women who are overweight or obese prior to pregnancy also tend to be more likely to have heartburn during this time. And expecting moms who drink coffee during pregnancy are at increased risk for heartburn symptoms.4

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    Treatment Of Heartburn During Pregnancy

    If your heartburn wonât go away, see your doctor. They may prescribe or recommend OTC medications that are safe to take during pregnancy. Heartburn usually disappears following childbirth.

    Medications may include:

    Over-the-counter antacids such as calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide. These are generally safe to use during pregnancy. You may find that liquid heartburn relievers are more effective in treating heartburn, because they coat the esophagus.

    H2 blockers. These medications block chemical signals that produce stomach acid. They include cimetidine and famotidine , and theyâre available in over the counter and prescription strengths.

    Proton pump inhibitors . Like H2 blockers, these drugs help cut down on stomach acid. PPIs, which include lansoprazole and omeprazole , are available over the counter and by prescription.

    If you take iron supplements, talk to your doctor before you take a PPI or H2 blocker. These medications can make the supplements less effective.

    Why It Heartburn Happens

    Tips and Exercises against Heartburn During Pregnancy ð¤°

    Heartburn is common in pregnancy due to the hormonal changes that happen during this period, as well as being caused by the babyâs development, which can cause stomach compression, which can make the contents of the stomach to go back up the esophagus towards the mouth, leading to heartburn symptoms.

    In addition, heartburn during pregnancy can also be caused by your diet. Thus, it is recommend to avoid eating fatty foods, foods with caffeine, and avoid taking in liquids during meals. In some cases, the doctor may also recommend some type of medication, such as Dimethicone to help with digestion.

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