July 17, 2024 Michelle Schmanski

Heartburn During Pregnancy: What You Should Know

Pregnancy comes with many different symptoms, and one of the most bothersome can be frequent heartburn. There are a few reasons why so many women experience the uncomfortable symptoms of acid reflux. Here’s what you need to know about heartburn during pregnancy so you know when to see your doctor about it.

What Causes Heartburn During Pregnancy

Most pregnancy symptoms are caused by the significant hormone shifts within the body, and heartburn is no different. In pregnancy, progesterone levels drastically increase, leading to the relaxation of smooth muscles within the body. The increased progesterone levels cause the muscles within your digestive tract to slow down, which in turn slows digestion. It also relaxes the valve that connects the esophagus to the stomach, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which can cause food and stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus and cause heartburn.

The second cause of increased heartburn in pregnancy is the pressure the uterus places on other organs. As the baby grows, it puts pressure on the stomach, forcing stomach acid into the esophagus.

How to Prevent Heartburn During Pregnancy

While heartburn is a completely normal pregnancy symptom, it can be annoying to deal with for many months. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to help you feel more comfortable.

• Eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of three larger meals can be helpful. Eating smaller meals can help prevent your stomach from overstretching and putting pressure on the LES.
• Eating more slowly and chewing your food well can help reduce the amount of air you take into your stomach as you eat, which can help prevent heartburn by limiting how full your stomach gets.
• Drinking fluids between your meals instead of with them to prevent your stomach from becoming too full and increasing pressure in the stomach.
• Avoiding greasy, fried, spicy, or acidic foods can be helpful since these can commonly cause or worsen heartburn.
• Avoiding lying down soon after eating can help you avoid heartburn. Try to eat at least 2 hours before bedtime to give your body time to digest so there is less pressure on your stomach when you finally lay down.

How to Treat Heartburn During Pregnancy

If you have tried changing the way you eat and are still experiencing painful heartburn, you may get some relief during a flare-up by trying a few of these tips and tricks.

• Sleep with your head on a few pillows to prevent acid from flowing into the esophagus.
• Drink a glass of milk or eat some yogurt, which can sometimes help neutralize stomach acid.
• Try sipping on some ginger tea with a teaspoon of honey mixed in.
• Try an over-the-counter antacid, but speak with your doctor before doing this.

When To See Your Doctor

If your heartburn is severe enough to affect how you eat or sleep, it’s time to speak with your doctor. It may be time to schedule an appointment if you have struggled with frequent heartburn before you became pregnant. While pregnancy may make heartburn worse, anyone who experiences heartburn more than three times a week should see a doctor. They can diagnose the underlying cause of your symptoms and help you get proper treatment.

If you have frequent heartburn, don’t continue to suffer – schedule an appointment today!

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Related:

• Over-the-Counter Heartburn Medicine: What You Should Know
• 8 Foods That Help Heartburn
• What Causes Heartburn?