Heartburn and Pregnancy
During pregnancy, many women experience heartburn and for some, it is their 1st time experiencing heartburn.
Heartburn (also known as acid indigestion or acid reflux) is a burning sensation that often extends from the bottom of the breastbone to the lower throat. It’s caused by some of the hormonal and physical changes in your body.
Why?
During pregnancy, the placenta produces the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the smooth muscles of the uterus. This hormone also relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach, allowing gastric acids to seep back up, which causes that unpleasant burning sensation.
At the same time, progesterone slows down the wavelike contractions of your esophagus and intestines, making digestion sluggish. With the increased levels of hormones in your body while pregnant can soften the ligaments that normally keep the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tightly closed. If the LES relaxes at inappropriate times, food and stomach acids can reflux back up into your esophagus and throat.
Later in pregnancy, your growing baby crowds your abdominal cavity, pushing stomach contents through the LES and into your esophagus.
Many women start experiencing heartburn and other gastrointestinal discomforts in the second half of pregnancy.
Unfortunately, it usually comes and goes until your baby is born. Heartburn during pregnancy occurs for a number of reasons.
Please consult your doctor first before you start any heartburn medication.
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