Strategies for Avoiding Heartburn When Pregnant

There are lots of women who begin to undergo painful heartburn symptoms when they are pregnant. One of the reasons for this is the raised hormonal levels that are a result of being pregnant. This results in softening of the ligaments that are responsible for regulating the passageway that leads from the stomach to the esophagus. Therefore, gastric acid is able to make its way up the esophagus and throat more easily. Another reason why women who are pregnant are afflicted with heartburn is because of added pressure in the stomach region caused by the growth of the baby. Often this can force the contents of the stomach up to the esophagus.

There are lots of alternatives when it comes to alleviating the pain of heartburn during pregnancy. Here are some strategies that should give some relief.

* Keep your head elevated at least six to eight inches when sleeping. You might find a specially made acid reflux wedge pillow to be useful in these circumstances. This will assist gravity to prevent the acids in your stomach from making their way up the esophagus.

* Avoid alcoholic beverages, which you ought to in any case for the well being of your baby.

* Keep away from foods that lead to heartburn. This means chocolate, highly spiced foods, citrus, tomato based foods, as well as fatty and fried foods.

* Don’t bend from the waist; use your knees instead. This puts less pressure on your stomach.

* Don’t slump when sitting. Sit erect in a comfortable chair.

* Avoid tight clothes. Tightness around the waist and stomach will bring about heartburn.

* Do not go to sleep for at least three hours after eating. This will help prevent nighttime heartburn.

* Drink plenty of water, at least 8 to 10 glasses on a daily basis. However don’t drink too much while you’re eating. This results in overexpansion of the abdomen, thus pushing out the gastric acids in your tummy.

* Eat your food in a leisurely manner.

* Eat smaller portions of food. Eating mini meals spaced throughout the day will lessen the pressure on the abdomen.

* Keep weight gain to healthy levels. All that surplus fat puts extra pressure on the stomach.

* Quit smoking. This isn’t just bad for the baby, it is a frequent trigger for heartburn.

* Do not drink beverages that are high in caffeine such as tea, coffee and cola.

Almost everyone gets a bad case of heartburn at one time or another. Some people, however, never seem to be able to get rid of it. Learn more about the symptoms, prevention and treatment of this painful condition at Heartburn Relief.

categories: pregnancy heartburn,heartburn,acid reflux,health