Tips To Reduce Your Heartburn Symptoms During Pregnancy
We have learn how heartburn symptoms happen during pregnancy. Although you may not be able to eliminate heartburn completely, here are some tips you can use to minimize your discomfort:
- Avoid food and beverages that are known as heartburn triggers which can cause you gastrointestinal distress. The usual suspects are carbonated drinks; alcohol (which you should avoid anyway during pregnancy); caffeine; chocolate; acidic foods like citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, mustard, and vinegar; processed meats; mint products; and spicy, highly seasoned, fried, or fatty foods. Drinks containing caffeine (coffee, tea, cola) because these can relax the LES and allow acid to reflux back into the esophagus.
- Don’t eat big meals. Eat several small meals throughout the day instead. Take your time eating and chew thoroughly.
- Although it is important to drink plenty of water (8-10 glasses daily) along with other fluids, it is best to avoid drinking large quantities of fluids during meals. Too much fluids can distend your stomach. This will put more pressure on LES and forcing it to open inappropriately. Drink some of your fluids in between meals.
- Chewing gum help to stimulate your salivary glands, and saliva can help neutralize acid. Suggestion: try chewing gum after eating.
- Don’t eat close to bedtime. Give yourself at least three hours to digest before you lie down.
- Sleep with your head and shoulders propped up with a wedge pillow or elevate the head of your bed six to eight inches. By elevating your upper body using gravity will help to keep your stomach acids where they belong and will aid your digestion. For more tips on easing nighttime heartburn, read this article – Night-Time Heartburn.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing and avoid any tightness around your waist and stomach.
- Bend at the knees instead of at the waist. By bending at the waist, it will put more pressure on your stomach.
- Gain a sensible amount of weight and stay within the guidelines your doctor suggests. By putting on too much weight, it will put more pressure on your stomach, and can force stomach contents through the LES and into your esophagus. Your heartburn symptoms will become more severe.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking creates a host of serious health problems especially when you are pregnant. Smoking increases your stomach acidity. Read more about The Connection Between Acid Reflux and Smoking
- Before you take any over-the-counter medication, it is best to check with your doctor first. Some antacid that contains magnesium or calcium may ease discomfort because some brands contain aluminum or aspirin or are high in sodium and thus, it may affect your unborn baby.
If these measures don’t work for you, it is best to talk to your caregiver about prescription heartburn medications that are safe during pregnancy.
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