Pregnancy heartburn relief during pregnancy is a common concern many pregnant women have. Read on to see what you what remedies can be used to help relieve heartburn during pregnancy.
What causes pregnancy heartburn?
Heartburn in early pregnancy is a common complaint. The hormone progesterone is released as soon a woman becomes pregnant and can cause many early pregnancy symptoms which include pregnancy heartburn. Progesterone causes relaxation of the cardiac sphincter of the stomach which is the muscle between the stomach and the esophagus (food pipe). Relaxation of this muscle allows for some gastric acid and food to flow backwards and re-enter the esophagus (food pipe). Gastric acid irritates the lining of the esophagus causing a burning sensation in the center of the chest called pregnancy heartburn.
As your baby grows bigger and takes up more room in the abdominal area, the stomach itself is displaced and squashed. The growing uterus can permanently press on the cardiac sphincter of the stomach and allow gastric juices and food to constantly leak back into the esophagus (wind pipe) which may cause severe heartburn during pregnancy.
Heartburn pregnancy remedies that can help alleviate some of your heartburn during pregnancy:
Pregnancy heartburn relief can be achieved by eating yogurt or drinking a glass of milk.
Try a tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm milk can help with pregnancy heartburn.
Eat smaller more frequent meals throughout the day rather than three large meals.
Avoid spicy, greasy, fatty foods, peppers and tomatoes produce extra gastric acid causing pregnancy heartburn.
Avoid foods that relax the cardiac sphincter of the stomach such as alcohol, peppermint, garlic, and chocolate as they can add to pregnancy heartburn.
Sleeping with extra pillows under your head to keep your stomach lower than your esophagus (food pipe) works very well to give you a better start to the day and a better nights sleep and minimize night time pregnancy heartburn.
Avoid eating for at least two hours before going to bed is also a great suggestion to minimize pain associated with night time heartburn during pregnancy.
Do not lie down after eating to prevent the food from the stomach flowing back into your esophagus causing pregnancy heartburn.
Mild over-the-counter antacids such as Mylanta or Tums may prove helpful in relieving heartburn during pregnancy.
If your pregnancy heartburn symptoms are severe or accompanied by headache or swelling (especially if you are later on in pregnancy) consult with your health care provider immediately as you may have pre-eclampsia of pregnancy.
One of the most effective ways to deal with pregnancy heartburn is to try to prevent heartburn developing in the first place. The healthier you are prior pregnancy and the healthier you eat during pregnancy can have a direct correlation to the amount of pregnancy symptoms you have. Supplement with a high quality vitamins, mineral and antioxidants prior and during pregnancy will correct many misalignments within the body, and encourage the stomach to produce the right amount of gastric acid that you body needs for digestion.
Pregnancy can be an extraordinary experience for a woman. It is far more than growing a baby and dealing with issues like heartburn. Pregnancy has a huge emotional, mental, spiritual, and energetic side to it. The more you understand these aspects, the easier and less symptomatic your pregnancy will be. Learning how to connect with the emotions of your unborn child will allow you to enhance your pregnancy experience and surrender to its normal physiological process of pregnancy heartburn.
What causes pregnancy heartburn?
Heartburn in early pregnancy is a common complaint. The hormone progesterone is released as soon a woman becomes pregnant and can cause many early pregnancy symptoms which include pregnancy heartburn. Progesterone causes relaxation of the cardiac sphincter of the stomach which is the muscle between the stomach and the esophagus (food pipe). Relaxation of this muscle allows for some gastric acid and food to flow backwards and re-enter the esophagus (food pipe). Gastric acid irritates the lining of the esophagus causing a burning sensation in the center of the chest called pregnancy heartburn.
As your baby grows bigger and takes up more room in the abdominal area, the stomach itself is displaced and squashed. The growing uterus can permanently press on the cardiac sphincter of the stomach and allow gastric juices and food to constantly leak back into the esophagus (wind pipe) which may cause severe heartburn during pregnancy.
Heartburn pregnancy remedies that can help alleviate some of your heartburn during pregnancy:
Pregnancy heartburn relief can be achieved by eating yogurt or drinking a glass of milk.
Try a tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm milk can help with pregnancy heartburn.
Eat smaller more frequent meals throughout the day rather than three large meals.
Avoid spicy, greasy, fatty foods, peppers and tomatoes produce extra gastric acid causing pregnancy heartburn.
Avoid foods that relax the cardiac sphincter of the stomach such as alcohol, peppermint, garlic, and chocolate as they can add to pregnancy heartburn.
Sleeping with extra pillows under your head to keep your stomach lower than your esophagus (food pipe) works very well to give you a better start to the day and a better nights sleep and minimize night time pregnancy heartburn.
Avoid eating for at least two hours before going to bed is also a great suggestion to minimize pain associated with night time heartburn during pregnancy.
Do not lie down after eating to prevent the food from the stomach flowing back into your esophagus causing pregnancy heartburn.
Mild over-the-counter antacids such as Mylanta or Tums may prove helpful in relieving heartburn during pregnancy.
If your pregnancy heartburn symptoms are severe or accompanied by headache or swelling (especially if you are later on in pregnancy) consult with your health care provider immediately as you may have pre-eclampsia of pregnancy.
One of the most effective ways to deal with pregnancy heartburn is to try to prevent heartburn developing in the first place. The healthier you are prior pregnancy and the healthier you eat during pregnancy can have a direct correlation to the amount of pregnancy symptoms you have. Supplement with a high quality vitamins, mineral and antioxidants prior and during pregnancy will correct many misalignments within the body, and encourage the stomach to produce the right amount of gastric acid that you body needs for digestion.
Pregnancy can be an extraordinary experience for a woman. It is far more than growing a baby and dealing with issues like heartburn. Pregnancy has a huge emotional, mental, spiritual, and energetic side to it. The more you understand these aspects, the easier and less symptomatic your pregnancy will be. Learning how to connect with the emotions of your unborn child will allow you to enhance your pregnancy experience and surrender to its normal physiological process of pregnancy heartburn.
Information about the Author:
Hannah Bajor offers more pregnancy support, pregnancy articles and pregnancy videos PLUS a FREE pregnancy support gift by clicking on www.PregnancySuperSite.com/pregnancy.html
