Feeling so fed up with that burning
feeling in your chest that reaches your throat to the point you almost want to
throw up? That’s actually pretty normal if you are pregnant and it is
definitely bothersome especially if you are carrying “someone” there in your
tummy.
Most commonly, heartburn during
pregnancy is due to the pressure of the growing fetus inside your abdomen
which displaces or presses some of your gastrointestinal organs like your
stomach. This usually happens when the height of your fundus (top most part of
your uterus) reaches the stomach region. This means that heartburn during
pregnancy is kind of a normal thing but definitely, we can prevent this
from occurring as this may be really stressful on the part of the mother.
Here are some tips which you can
employ to prevent experiencing heartburn during pregnancy:
Proper Positioning. When taking a nap or lying down, be sure to elevate your
head higher than the rest of your body. This will prevent the stomach contents from
flowing back to the esophagus.
Zero Spicy and Fatty Foods. Limit, if not totally avoid fatty and spicy foods during
pregnancy. These types of food irritate the lining of the esophagus and have
been found to cause the relaxation of the valve that controls the flow of food
into the stomach.
Banned Beverages. You must also try to avoid drinking beverages containing
caffeine, citrus, as well as soda drinks as these beverages will exacerbate or
intensify the occurrence of heartburn during pregnancy.
Small Frequent Feedings. Since your stomach has adjusted to the growing child
inside you, the content of food that your stomach can handle will also adjust
and lessen. Eat small meals frequently to avoid dumping of food inside your
stomach because this might lead to acid reflux. Eating small meals will also
keep you energized all throughout the day.
Dress Comfortably. Avoid wearing tight clothes while you are pregnant. Apart
from being uncomfortable, it also tightens your abdomen thus promoting your
stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus.
After Meal Rituals. Right after eating a heavy meal, try to walk around to
help your stomach digest your food and speed up gastric emptying. Also avoid
lying down immediately- try to wait for about an hour or so. If lying down to
take some nap or sleep, make sure you lie towards the left to avoid acid
reflux, as well as hypotension.
Following these steps will help you
lessen the occurrence of heartburn during pregnancy. If the problem
persists, it is best to consult your physician to be prescribed with
appropriate medications which are proven to be safe during pregnancy.
