Pregnancy and Acid Reflux

For most women, pregnancy and heartburn go hand-in-hand. Most women just assume that heartburn is just another one of those random symptoms of pregnancy, but there’s actually a scientific reason for the increase in acid reflux. Your placenta produces progesterone which relaxes the muscles of the uterus. This hormone serves as a relaxer for other parts of the body as well, including the valve located between the stomach and esophagus. Since it’s more relaxed than usual, it allows acid from the stomach to return back up to the esophagus, causing a burning sensation.

Here are some tips that can help you get your acid reflux disease under control:
•    Avoid consuming caffeine, spicy foods, tomatoes, citrus fruits, chocolate, fried foods, and fatty foods which will exacerbate heartburn.
•    Eat several small meals throughout the day rather than a few large ones.
•    Eat slowly and chew your food extremely well before swallowing.
•    Drink water in between meals rather than during them.
•    Chew gum after a meal. The saliva that’s produced while chewing helps neutralize acid.
•    Sleep propped up in order to keep acids down in your belly, making it harder for them to travel back up.
•    Wear loose clothing, particularly around your waist and stomach.
•    Try and gain weight between the recommended 25-35 pounds. Too much or too little could effect heartburn.
•    Ask your doctor for a good anti-acid medication. You may want to start out with something like Tums and then move on to something more serious if that doesn’t work, like Prevacid. (You can buy generic Prevacid online at discounted rates.)
•    Don’t smoke—always good advice, especially for a pregnant woman!
•    Eat at least three hours before bedtime. If you eat too close to bedtime, then your body will be forced to attempt digestion while you’re lying down, which can cause heartburn.