Diseases

Pregnancy and GERD (Heartburn and Pregnancy) Information

15 ways to soothe heartburn during pregnancy

The management of heartburn or GERD during pregnancy involves many of the same principles as management in of heartburn or GERD in women who are not pregnant, and the general population that suffers from GERD. Specifically, the so-called "lifestyle" changes should be meticulously followed. to help relieve heartburn symptoms. Heartburn symptoms include a burning feeling in the chest, hoarseness, cough, sore throat, or tooth damage (acid eats the enamel on teeth). In this information are some home remedies that can reduce or eliminate heartburn symptoms.

Avoid tight clothing

Avoid tight clothing, which puts pressure on your abdomen and can aggravate reflux.

Bend right

Don't bend at the waist; bend at the knees instead.

Chew gum

Chewing gum may be helpful in providing relief from heartburn. Chewing gum stimulates saliva, which contains bicarbonate. The saliva and bicarbonate are swallowed, and the bicarbonate neutralizes the acid that has backed up (refluxed) into the esophagus.

Cut out large amounts of liquids

Try not to drink large amounts of liquids after the last meal of the day because the more empty the stomach is at bedtime, the less likely there will be reflux of acid.

Don't bend over after eating

After meals avoid activities that require you to bend over. Instead take a short walk, do light housework, or surf the internet to avoid bending over.

Don't eat so fast!

Slow down when you eat. Eating too quickly can lead to heartburn. Eating slowly can keep you from becoming too full, which can also result in heartburn.

Don't smoke

Pregnant women should not smoke. In addition to harming the fetus, smoking weakens the lower esophageal sphincter and aggravates acid reflux.

Eat small, frequent meals

Frequent, small meals should be eaten rather than three large meals, and the last meal of the day should be early in the evening at least three hours before bedtime. Women who are pregnant and have heartburn should not lie down soon after a meal.

Eat yogurt or drink milk

Eating yogurt or drinking a glass of milk may help ease heartburn symptoms. If you are lactose intolerant choose lactose free products.

Foods to avoid heartburn during pregnancy

Any specific foods that aggravate heartburn should be avoided (for example, coffee, cola, tea, alcohol, chocolate, fatty or fried foods, citrus fruits and juices, spicy foods, tomato, mint, etc.).

Ginger

Ginger is as natural remedy that helps some people with an upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting. However, ginger has not been approved by the FDA for such use.

Heartburn during pregnancy facts

• Heartburn is a condition in which acid backs up (refluxes) from the stomach into the esophagus and sometimes up to the throat, irritating the tissues.
• Heartburn during pregnancy can be overwhelming. To some women it seems a constant problem.
• Heartburn during pregnancy can be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, or acid reflux).
• Heartburn during pregnancy feels the same as heartburn when you are not pregnant - a burning pain in the upper abdomen or chest area.
• Heartburn during pregnancy is a common symptom due to high levels of estrogens and progesterones during pregnancy causing the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscle at the lower end of the esophagus that normally prevents acid from refluxing) to weaken. This weakness resolves after delivery. In addition the growing uterus can also put pressure on the stomach and push acid into the esophagus.
• Foods that can cause heartburn during pregnancy include chocolate, peppermint, caffeinated beverages (such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks), fatty foods, and alcohol.
• Heartburn during pregnancy can usually be managed with changes in diet, lifestyle, and habits.
• If lifestyle changes do not resolve the heartburn during pregnancy, a doctor may recommend antacids, but these should be used only under a doctor's supervision. Antacids may reduce the absorption of iron in the diet, and magnesium-containing antacids could slow labor. Consult your doctor before taking any medications, even over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, while you are pregnant.
• Tums are considered safe to take during pregnancy for heartburn relief. Tums also contains calcium, which pregnant women need. Take it at a different time than any iron supplements you take.
• Other over-the-counter (OTC) medications including antacids (Rolaids, etc.), H2 blockers such as ranitidine (Zantac) or cimetidine (Tagamet), or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can also be taken during pregnancy.
• Because heartburn during pregnancy is thought to be caused by pregnancy hormones, heartburn will usually go away after delivery and no further treatment is needed.
• Fun fact: there is an old wives' tale that heartburn during pregnancy means your baby will have a full head of hair. This is actually true! The heartburn itself doesn’t cause the hair growth, rather, estrogen levels during pregnancy cause the esophageal sphincter to relax, which allows stomach acid to back up into the esophagus, resulting in heartburn. The estrogen plays a role in hair growth in the developing baby.

Lay on your left side at night

Lying on the left side at night may decrease acid reflux just as it does in women who are not pregnant, and other individuals with GERD. In this position, it is physically more difficult for acid to reflux into the esophagus. Occasionally, it may be necessary to sleep in a recliner chair at a 45-degree or greater angle.

OTC drugs for heartburn during pregnancy

If recommended by your doctor, you may take over-the-counter (OTC) medications including antacids (Tums, Rolaids, etc.), H2 blockers such as ranitidine (Zantac) or cimetidine (Tagamet), or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to help relieve heartburn symptoms.

Other home remedies for heartburn during pregnancy

Other home and natural remedies for heartburn include apple cider vinegar, 2-3 teaspoons in an 8-ounce glass of water. It is believed that even though apple cider vinegar is acidic, it helps balance the acid production in the stomach or buffer the acid activity. Another natural remedy for heartburn involves the use of baking soda (which is sodium bicarbonate) to neutralize stomach acid - mix one tablespoon in ½ cup of water and drink to relieve symptoms. Tell your doctor before using any natural remedies.Finally, some trivia about heartburn during pregnancy: There may be some truth to the popular folklore that if you experience heartburn during pregnancy your baby will have more hair at birth. A 2006 study reported in the journal Birth showed that women who had moderate to severe heartburn gave birth to babies with average to above average amounts of hair, while women who reported no heartburn had babies with less than average or no hair.There is no evidence that homeopathic remedies work to treat heartburn during pregnancy. If you are interested in trying a homeopathic remedy, talk to your doctor first, and consult a registered homeopath.

Raise the head of your bed

The two feet of the head of the bed should be raised on 6 to 8 inch blocks. Alternatively, a 6 to 8 inch wedge-shaped foam rubber pad should be used to elevate the upper body. It is important that the foam be firm enough to truly elevate the upper body. The wedge should also extend all the way to the waist so that the entire chest is elevated. Using pillows alone will not work since this can put pressure on the stomach and aggravate symptoms.

Sip liquids

Sip liquids instead of drinking large glasses of liquids at once.