Preventing Heartburn During Pregnancy

Heartburn, that fiery acid that rises in the throat, can be one of the worst symptoms of mid to late pregnancy. Thanks to the hormones that cause the uterine muscles to relax so your baby isn't prematurely expelled, the opening to the stomach is also relaxed, allowing burning acids to escape. There's no need to suffer in silence, though.

The best way to treat heartburn is prevention. When you are pregnant, your stomach is smaller than usual, having been squashed upwards, along with all your other internal organs in order to make room for your baby. This means that you have less room for food, although your appetite may be bigger. Every time you overeat, you are at risk for heartburn, since the food pushes against the top of your stomach and forces the acid out into your esophagus.

In order to prevent heartburn caused by overeating, try eating several smaller meals throughout the day instead of three large ones. This is easier on your compacted digestive system anyway. Many pregnant women find that eating 6-7 small meals per day reduces their heartburn drastically.

This affliction often presents itself at night, when you lay down. If gravity was keeping the acid in your stomach during the day while you were upright, you may find that you suffer from severe pains at night. This can be alleviated sometimes by not eating too close to bedtime or by raising the head of your bed a few inches so you aren't lying flat.

Eating non-acidic foods can also help prevent heartburn. Items such as oranges, tomatoes and spicy foods can encourage the acid production in your stomach and result in more heartburn after a meal. You will notice that certain foods tend to set you off, try to avoid eating those too often.

Having a glass or two of milk per day is not only good for you and the baby, it can also reduce the heartburn that you suffer from. Milk is famous for its stomach soothing qualities and has been used for years to quell the acid from heartburn.

If, after all your preventative methods, you still feel the burn, it's time to take an antacid. Unfortunately, many common antacids that you would take when you aren't pregnant are not proven safe to be taken during pregnancy. You can talk to your obstetrician about which antacids are safe for the baby. Tums is one brand that can be safely taken during pregnancy and adds to your calcium intake.

Heartburn can be a major symptom of pregnancy, but that doesn't mean you have to put up with it. Try the treatments above and if none of them work, talk to your doctor, don't suffer in silence.