Pregnancy Heartburn

Welcome
to
Acid Reflux, Heartburn Cure

Our
Heartburn
Resources

For most women pregnancy is considered to be a time of
joy for new mothers. This is the time when they are
pampered and their every wish is fulfilled (well almost
every wish). There are however a few things that can
cause discomfort and pain for an expectant mother. One of
these is pregnancy heartburn.

The question that arises is why do some women
experience heartburn while they are pregnant and other
women don’ t?

Heartburn occurs when the digested food juices reflux
back into your esophagus and throat. There is a valve that
usually keeps the stomach acids in the stomach where the
intestinal lining protects your body from the effects of the
acid. This valve is called the lower esophageal sphincter,
or LES. When the LES relaxes, the stomach acids reflux
into the esophagus. This causes the lining of the
esophagus, which is thin and unable to deal with the acid,
to get irritated and inflamed.

In pregnant women heartburn does not occur only
because of the digested food juices refluxing back into the
esophagus and throat. The increased amounts of
hormones in the body can soften the muscles that normally
keep the LES closed. Thus if the LES relaxes at an
inappropriate moment, then food and gastric acid reflux
back into the esophagus.

An additional reason that might contribute to pregnancy
heartburn. During pregnancy a woman’s body goes
through many changes to accommodate the growing baby.
As the baby continues to grow within the womb, there is
pressure put upon the stomach. This pressure in turn may
force the stomach acid to reflux through the LES into the
esophagus. Thus causing pregnancy heartburn.

As there is no clear way to completely eliminate heartburn
even during pregnancy, the most sensible approach to
take is to minimize the discomfort that you may experience
because of pregnancy heartburn. With a few simple
precautions you can hold the heartburn at bay. Avoiding
certain foods that are known to trigger heartburn can
greatly reduce the chances of heartburn.

You must avoid all drinks containing coffee, tea, colas and
alcohol as these can relax the LES and allow acid to reflux
back into the esophagus. Also don't eat large meals.
Instead eat several small meals throughout the day. Take
your time eating, rushing through meals helps put
unwanted pressure upon the LES. You also need to drink
plenty of water in small amounts throughout the day.

Anytime you lie down or go to sleep at night, keep your
head elevated higher than your body. This position will
keep your stomach contents in your stomach where they
belong and not in the esophagus where they will cause
pregnancy heartburn. During the day you should sit upright
in a comfortable chair rather than slouching.

Gain a sensible amount of weight and stay within the
weight guidelines your doctor suggests. Being pregnant
does not mean suffering unduly because of heartburn,
rather you can think of it as a change in your lifestyle. A
change for a miracle of life, not for pregnancy heartburn.