How To Fix Heartburn Pregnancy

Does Heartburn During Pregnancy Mean My Baby Will Be Born With Hair

Suffering from severe heartburn? You may want to stock up on baby shampoo. Research has backed up the superstition that, on average, the more heartburn you have during pregnancy, the more likely your baby will be born with a full head of hair.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

Talk To Your Doctor About Heartburn Medications

This includes over-the-counter ones some are safe to take during pregnancy.

Antacids help neutralize the acid in your stomach and quell that burning sensation. The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health says OTC antacids containing calcium carbonate are safe to use.

If you havent been able to quiet your heartburn with lifestyle changes, your doctor may suggest heartburn drugs like Tagamet and Prilosec, which are generally considered safe during pregnancy. While these drugs are available OTC, you might receive a prescription for a stronger dose if your doctor thinks its warranted.

When youre pregnant, you have to think about the safety of everything you put into and on your body. Some heartburn medications that might be OK for your nonpregnant sister but not for you include:

• Antacids containing sodium bicarbonate, which can increase swelling.
• Antacids containing aspirin, which can be toxic to your baby. Aspirin use during pregnancy has been associated with pregnancy loss, heart defects, and bleeding on the brain in premature infants.
• Antacids containing magnesium trisilicate, which havent been proven safe to use in pregnancy.

Eat Smaller Meals Throughout The Day

If you’re suffering from morning sickness, eating just a little at a time is probably no problem for you. But if your appetite is healthy, be sure to avoid eating so much that you feel full.

Just as it does when you’re not pregnant, an overly stuffed stomach can contribute to heartburn. Instead of three square meals a day, try five or six smaller ones.

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Use Fennel And Its Seeds For Heartburn Cure

Fennel has a pH of 6.9 and thus is included in effective foods for heartburn relief. In fact, this herb is good not only for heartburn but many other diseases or conditions related to stomach problems such as indigestion, constipation, flatulence and bloating. Fennel has a volatile oil made up of such components as fenchone, trans-anethole, limonene and a-pinene. All these substances have a carminative effect that provides soothing relief to your stomach and prevents all kinds of digestive disorders including heartburn. The crunchy vegetables as well as the seeds of fennel, both are effective for heartburn.

Ways to Use Fennel for Heartburn

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Can Acid Reflux During Pregnancy Hurt My Unborn Baby

Dr. Johnson assures that simple reflux on its own is not harmful to fetuses. It is only when there is a drastic effect on nutritional input that GERD during pregnancy could become a problem. If symptoms are preventing you from eating the recommended number of calories, it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately.

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Don’t Eat Right Before Bed

Having a hearty meal and then heading to bed is a recipe for heartburn, warns Joel Richter, MD, director of the division of gastroenterology and nutrition and the esophageal diseases center at the University of South Florida, in Tampa, who has studied heartburn during pregnancy. He recommends trying not to eat for at least three hours before you go to sleep. You should also try to avoid liquids starting a few hours before bedtime.

Slippery Elm Bark And Marshmallow Root

Some mamas find relief from mucilaginous herbs like slippery elm bark and marshmallow root. Due to their gummy consistency, they coat the intestines and soothe digestion. Be sure to use under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner and away from food and supplementsthey can interfere with nutrient absorption.

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Natural Remedies For Heartburn During Pregnancy

Is heartburn making your pregnancy even more uncomfortable? Simple lifestyle and diet changes can help you reduce or eliminate your symptoms.

Dr. Justin Hoffman, ND, NMD

Pregnancy heartburn can be extremely painful. Unfortunately, many of the traditional solutions require pills and medications to which you probably dont want to expose your baby. Luckily, natural heartburn remedies can provide heartburn relief.

PLEASE NOTE: If you experience prolonged or severe pregnancy heartburn, see a medical professional immediately.

Indigestion And Heartburn In Pregnancy

Indigestion, also called heartburn or acid reflux, is common in pregnancy. It can be caused by hormonal changes and the growing baby pressing against your stomach.

You can help ease indigestion and heartburn by making changes to your diet and lifestyle, and there are medicines that are safe to take in pregnancy.

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Is Heartburn A Sign Of Pregnancy

If you have heartburn or heartburn, could it mean that youre pregnant? Its possible. Heartburn is a common incident for most people at one time or another, but doesnt necessarily indicate youre pregnant. However, if you experience other symptoms, such as a missed out on period or nausea, these could be signs that you have to take a pregnancy test.

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Causes Of Heartburn During Pregnancy

When does heartburn start in pregnancy?

Many starts to feel it at the beginning of the first trimester.

However, some see heartburn as a symptom of pregnancy.

Acid reflux during pregnancy third trimester is also quite a common phenomenon.

Here are the causes of heartburn in pregnancy listed down below:

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Should I Be Worried About Heartburn During Pregnancy

While heartburn isnt fun, it generally isnt a serious problem. However, pain in the abdomen or shoulder, which is sometimes mistaken for heartburn, can be a sign of preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication where the woman develops high blood pressure and signs of damage to the liver or kidneys, usually after 20 weeks. If your heartburn is sudden, doesnt go away, accompanies pain in the abdomen and up the back, and is really intense with severe pain, contact your health care provider or go to the hospital for emergency assessment, says Martin.

Read more:

Pregnant Women And Heartburn

Pregnant women are more likely to get heartburn for a number of reasons.

First, during pregnancy, the hormone progesterone is secreted in higher amounts to support the pregnancy. Progesterone causes the valve that separates the food pipe from the stomach to relax, causing heartburn.

In addition, the growing uterus starts to put pressure on the stomach and other internal organs in later pregnancy. That pressure can also push food and stomach acid back into the food pipe.

Indigestion and heartburn are more likely in women who had heartburn before pregnancy and in those who have been pregnant before.

Preventing heartburn is the best way to manage it. Certain foods or beverages tend to trigger the symptoms. Avoiding those foods can help to prevent the discomfort associated with heartburn. Foods that tend to trigger heartburn include:

• Citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, and pineapple

As well as avoiding these foods, it can be helpful to eat smaller meals more often. Instead of three big meals per day, five or six smaller meals may be better.

Staying upright for at least 20 to 30 minutes after eating can prevent the stomach contents from backing up into the food pipe.

At night, it is better not to eat within 3 hours of going to bed. Propping up the head of the bed or using extra pillows to keep the head elevated can help prevent heartburn that occurs at night.

Anyone who finds it difficult to quit should speak with a doctor.

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Antacids You Shouldnt Take

You should always read the labels and ask your doctor before using OTC medicines, herbs, or home remedies while youre pregnant. Even though it may seem like something should be safe, it isnt always. Some conventional treatments for heartburn that you shouldnt use during pregnancy are:

• Alka-Seltzer
• Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate
• Bicarbonate of soda
• Products containing aspirin

Heartburn Acid Reflux And Gerd During Pregnancy

• What to eat

Its called heartburn, although that burning feeling in your chest has nothing to do with the heart. Uncomfortable and frustrating, it bothers many women, particularly during pregnancy.

The first question you may have is how to make it stop. You may also wonder if treatments are safe for your baby. Learn what causes heartburn during pregnancy and what you can do about it.

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Listen To What Your Body Is Telling You

What you can eat during pregnancy is largely dependent on how certain foods make you feel. In your first trimester, you likely had aversions and foods that induced nausea just by looking at them. Now, certain foods may trigger heartburn. Fat, caffeine, chocolate, and citrus fruits are all common foods that cause heartburn during pregnancy. Know your triggers and stay away from them.

Baking Soda For Heartburn

One of the original home remedies for indigestion is baking soda mixed in water. The reason it has stood the test of time? It works! Baking soda is a base that offsets the acidity in your esophagus and your gut, says , a dietician at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. For fast relief, try mixing a half to one teaspoon of baking soda in eight ounces of water.

Dont overdo it, though: Too much baking soda can have negative health effects, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you are pregnant or have a chronic condition like heart disease, high blood pressure or kidney disease, speak with your doctor before trying this home remedy.

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What Is Heartburn During Pregnancy

Pregnancy heartburn can be a living nightmare for many. Although its common and not at all harmful to you or your baby, its painful all the same.

It occurs when the digestive acid from your stomach rises up into your gullet or oesophagus . This acid can come up as far as the back of your throat or into your mouth and it leaves a nasty, bitter taste behind. Youre more likely to get pregnancy heartburn if you have had indigestion before, or if you have been pregnant before.

Tips To Ease The Heartburn Of Pregnancy

Date:

American College of Gastroenterology

Summary:

Physician experts have compiled important health tips on managing heartburn symptoms during pregnancy, and importantly, identifying which heartburn medications are safe for use in pregnant women and those, which should be avoided. Heartburn symptoms are one of the most commonly reported complaints among pregnant women. Heartburn usually starts during the first trimester and tends to worsen during the second and third trimesters.

Heartburn symptoms are one of the most commonly reported complaints among pregnant women. Heartburn usually starts during the first trimester and tends to worsen during the second and third trimesters.

Studies have shown elevated levels of the hormone progesterone accompanied by increased intra-abdominal pressures from the enlarging uterus, may lower esophageal sphincter pressure in pregnant women contributing to heartburn symptoms, according to research highlighted in the newly updated Pregnancy in Gastrointestinal Disorders monograph by the American College of Gastroenterology .

From the monograph, physician experts from ACG have compiled important health tips on managing heartburn symptoms, and importantly, identifying which heartburn medications are safe for use in pregnant women and those, which should be avoided.

Strategies to Ease Heartburn Symptoms during Pregnancy

Antacids

Proton Pump Inhibitors

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What Medications Are Safe To Take During Pregnancy

Over-the-counter antacids such as Tums, Rolaids, and Maalox may help you cope with occasional heartburn symptoms. Those made of calcium carbonate or magnesium are good options.

However, it may be best to avoid magnesium during the last trimester of pregnancy. Magnesium could interfere with contractions during labor.

Most doctors recommend avoiding antacids that contain high levels of sodium. These antacids can lead to a buildup of fluid in the tissues.

You should also avoid any antacids that list aluminum on the label, as in aluminum hydroxide or aluminum carbonate. These antacids can lead to constipation.

Finally, stay away from medications like Alka-Seltzer that may contain aspirin.

Ask your doctor for the best option. If you find yourself downing bottles of antacids, your heartburn may have progressed to gastroesophageal acid reflux disease . In that case, you may need a stronger treatment.

Almonds To Get Rid Of Heartburn When Pregnant

This is one of the best remedies for heartburn in pregnancy. Eat some almonds after every meal. They miraculously control your stomach acid. It seems that the natural oil in almond help neutralize your stomach juices.

Get this:

Do this:

• Eat 3-4 raw almonds after each of your meals.
• In fact, have 3-4 of these nuts after anything you eat, even snacks and not only meals.
• However, do not exceed the amount of almonds as excessive almonds can, in fact, lead to heartburn. Just 3-4 of them are enough after your meals.

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Why Does It Happen In Pregnancy

Many women who have heartburn during pregnancy have never had problems before. Unfortunately, if you had heartburn before becoming pregnant, youre more likely to have symptoms while you are pregnant. Although the exact reasons arent clear, most experts believe that pregnancy hormones, particularly progesterone, play a role. Hormones cause relaxation of the esophageal sphincter. This is a tight circular band of muscle at the top of the stomach. This allows partially digested food and stomach acids to backflow, or reflux, into the esophagus. In addition, progesterone also slows the digestive process. This keeps food in the stomach longer. The pregnancy itselfthe upward pressure of the growing uterusalso may play a role.

How Can I Deal With Heartburn During Pregnancy

I’m in my second trimester. No matter what I eat, I get heartburn. Is this normal? If so, what can I do to feel better? Cari

Heartburn, despite its name, has nothing to do with the heart. It’s a burning feeling in the throat and chest when the stomach’s contents move back up into the esophagus .

Heartburn is common during pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones can make the valve at the entrance to the stomach relax so that it doesn’t close as it should. This lets acidic stomach contents move up into the esophagus, a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux , or acid reflux. It can get worse later in pregnancy when the growing uterus presses up on the stomach.

To help ease heartburn pain:

• Skip foods and drinks that can make it worse, such as citrus spicy, fatty foods caffeine and carbonated drinks.
• Eat several small meals throughout the day.
• Take your time when eating.
• Drink liquids between not during meals.
• Avoid eating or drinking for 3 hours before bedtime.
• Resist the urge to lie down after meals.
• Raise your head when you sleep.
• Talk to your doctor about medicines that are safe to take for heartburn during pregnancy.

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What Does Gerd Feel Like During Pregnancy

GERD can wear many hats and feel different in each individual, says Dr. Garza. Some may experience an intense burning sensation in the chest and throat, while for others it is a sharp pain just below and slightly to the left of the sternum. Some will have a sour taste or frequent regurgitation or burping. Often, symptoms are worse after meals, and this may make eating challenging, notes Dr. Ross.

Because the symptoms can be wide-ranging and different for each person, it is important to know what symptoms are concerning. Rarely, GERD can cause severe esophageal irritation that leads to pain or difficulty with swallowing, or even bleeding. Passing dark or black stool would be concerning for the development of bleeding and should prompt an immediate discussion with your physician/obstetrician, says Dr. Garza. He also cautions that GERD does not typically cause shortness of breath, pain with breathing, nor chest pain with exertion. Any of these symptoms could be signs of a more worrisome complication of pregnancy, especially the development of a blood clot, and would indicate that medical advice is necessary.

Elevate The Head Of Your Bed

To prevent heartburn while sleeping, you can raise the head of your bed. Elevation will prevent acid from flowing back up into the esophagus. Plus, it will prevent swelling in the legs.

A 2006 analysis of controlled studies published in the Archives of Internal Medicine concluded that elevating the head of the bed is an effective strategy to reduce acid reflux symptoms and heartburn at night .

Try to raise the head of your bed about 2 feet. Also, you can use a wedge-shaped, foam rubber pad to elevate your upper body. Avoid using only pillows to elevate the upper body, as it will put pressure on the stomach and aggravate your symptoms.

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