Pregnancy Week by Week

Heartburn in Pregnancy

Many women may experience heartburn for the first time during pregnancy. Although it is common and harmless, it can create an unpleasant sensation of discomfort.

Causes of heartburn in pregnancy

Heartburn is caused by acid stomach contents flowing back into the esophagus and irritating the sensitive lining at this level, causing discomfort. It is normal for the body should trigger the secretion of digestive acids required for transformation of food consumed. But in case they overflow into the esophagus through the phenomenon of gastro-esophageal reflux, the digestive acids will cause a series of unpleasant sensations such as burning at the bottom of the chest with a tendency to go up towards the throat, acid or bitter taste, stomach pain, or acid regurgitation.

Heartburn is common in pregnant women and it's caused by physiological and hormonal changes that the body goes through during pregnancy. Heartburn affects pregnant women in the first three months of pregnancy and usually gets worse in the last three months when the delivery of the baby approaches.

How heartburn occurs in pregnant women

Gastro esophageal reflux is caused by functional problems of the valve, which instead of preventing the discharge of stomach acid into the esophagus, permits it, causing the symptoms described above. In pregnant women, this valve is functional and it's being relaxed in pregnancy due to the hormone called progesterone (it also relaxes the muscles of the uterus).

The esophagus, stomach and intestines contract in order to transport food and facilitate digestion. Progesterone slows contractions causing a much slower digestion. Also, in the last months of pregnancy, the fetus grows in size and presses on the abdominal cavity, which favors the overflow of the gastric acid from the stomach into the esophagus.

How to prevent heartburn

Although heartburn cannot be treated completely during pregnancy, there are methods that can help alleviate discomfort. For example: do not eat at night or before going to sleep, wear comfortable clothing, preferably large, eat small portions, do not lie down immediately after you eat, try to sleep with the head and upper body slightly raised.

Also, avoid the following: vinegar, citrus, mint, tomatoes, garlic, chocolate, raw onion, black pepper, fruit juice, alcoholic drinks, carbonated beverages, spicy foods, foods high in fat. One of the most important things you should take into consideration is quitting smoking. Besides the fact that it can cause several health problems, tobacco also increases gastric acidity.

Most pregnant women often can relieve the discomfort of heartburn with these simple dietary changes and lifestyle. However, if heartburn persists in intensity, you can try other remedies, such as drugs. The doctor can usually prescribe, in such situations, drugs based on magnesium antacids, calcium or sodium bicarbonate. Even if drugs against acidity could give the results you want, you should still avoid them in the last months of pregnancy, because they can negatively interact with the succession of the natural phenomena and can start delivery (for instance, magnesium may influence the uterus' contractions during labor).

Besides the antacid medication, there are also natural remedies against heartburn. These include aloe vera juice or slippery elm preparations.

Before beginning any heartburn cure, be it medical or natural, you really need to consult your doctor.