Heartburn During Pregnancy
A woman’s body goes though a variety of changes during a pregnancy. Some problems encountered during pregnancy like acid reflux can make it difficult for you to enjoy it. There is an old wives tale that pregnant women with acid reflux means the child will be born with a full head of hair. However, the truth if it is that acid reflux is the result of changes in the body due to additional hormones.
These hormones can result in a woman producing more acid in her stomach. One problem that occurs during pregnancy is that more food is often eaten and this in turn helps produce even more acid. The hormone increase and extra food intake combine resulting in acid refluxing into the esophagus. Up to ¼ of all pregnant women have to deal with acid reflux each day of their pregnancy. This can make it hard for them to focus on their daily routine or to get enough sleep at night.
As the baby becomes larger more pressure on the stomach is felt. To much pressure allows more acid into the esophagus causing even worse acid reflux. That is why the majority of pregnant women find that they suffer from acid reflux during the last few months of it. Due to what can effect the baby there are limitations on effective measures. Most types of prescription medications for acid reflux won’t be a good idea.
It is possible to take antacids to treat mild cases of acid reflux during pregnancy. Taking antacids does not harm the baby according to extensive research. Pregnant women do need to be careful though as they contain large amounts of sodium. The sodium can bring swelling to the legs and ankles due to retaining fluids.
Every woman wants her baby to be as healthy as possible and that is understandable. That is why during pregnancy you should alleviate acid reflux with natural remedies. Some fruits may bring on acid reflux although you should still consume plenty of fresh fruit. Acidic fruits should be avoided if possible. This category includes fruits such as grapefruit, oranges, and lemons.
To avoid hunger and for better digestion eating six smaller meals is better than eating three large ones. Large meals are harder to digest so its easier to cope with smaller ones. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated during the day. Plenty of water will help to digest food easier in the stomach. Eating late at night before bed time can result in acid reflux throughout the night so try to avoid it.
Elevate your head and shoulders when you sleep as well. Due to gravity the acid will stay in your stomach when asleep or through the day when resting. By stacking more pillows you raise the elevation but you can also purchase special pillows for this. Another good idea is to have the head of your bed elevated with bricks or a board. Adding several inches will definitely make a significant difference.
Try to lay on your left side too as this will help to get the acid reduced in your stomach. Lyng on your right side or back should be avoided to stop an increase in stomach acid. It may not always be comfortable during a pregnancy to lie on your left side but do your very best to get into that routine. It will certainly help you to avoid suffering from acid reflux.
Following such guidelines will help you offset acid reflux during pregnancy. This is a great time for a mom so keep those negative aspects of it away. Getting enough rest is important too because soon you will have a little one up all night. If you continue to suffer from acid reflux on a regular basis during your pregnancy make sure you share this information with your doctor. Severe heartburn can cause damage to the esophagus lining which in turn needs more treatment which can be alleviated by your doctor.