Heartburn during Pregnancy, How to Deal?

Women throughout the pregnancy period go through some unusual problems, the symptoms are sometimes mild and sometimes severe. Heartburn happens in the second trimester and becomes irritable as your belly grows. Heartburn causes inflammation or burning sensations in the middle of the chest, but it causes nothing to the heart. It occurs when the muscles known as lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that keep the stomach in its place, starts to get a leak or relax, it causes all of the acid to come upward in the esophagus.

Heartburn or acid reflux is experienced by most women during pregnancy, which is said to be a normal problem. Women experience heartburn when they take the meal or at bedtime, which makes the women uncomfortable and disturbs sleep. If the proper prevention tips are being followed it becomes quite easy to handle for the expecting moms. Here are some strategies you need to know.

Avoid Triggering Foods

When you once or twice experienced the burning sensations, figure out what intensifies it. There are some foods that could cause heartburn, but there are no specific foods that are being banned by the experts. As per the observations, the triggers could be acidic foods (including citrus fruits, tomatoes, etc.), chocolate, fried foods, coffee, spicy foods, alcohol, and carbonated beverages. These are some foods that should be eliminated or reduced from the diet.

Sleep Smooth

The heartburn takes you to nightmares, before you are going to sleep make sure you took the right diet. Try to take the meal two to three hours before sleep. While laying down keep yourself in the horizontal position, this will prohibit the acid to come upward in the esophagus, elevate your legs and start to sleep from the left side if you are not already sleeping.

Eat Smartly

During pregnancy, women have less area for the stomach to enlarge, however, overheating can lead to heartburn. When you maintain the right diet throughout the pregnancy, it will reduce the chances of heartburn, even in the short term. If you gain extra weight more than recommended, it will exert pressure on your abdomen that worsens the heartburn. Discuss the right diet plan with your health care provider.

Take more Fluids

Liquid foods are more likely to travel in the body as compared to solid foods. Thereby, fluids never cause problems and enter the stomach more quickly. Add soups, milkshakes, smoothies, pudding, protein shakes, etc. to your diet. Take the liquid that is filled with protein like drinkable yogurt and milk. Fluids with the meals can reduce heartburn, take a small sip of any fluid while you are having your meal.

Ask for Antacids from your Doctor

Antacids are known to reduce the risk of heartburn rapidly. They help in neutralizing the acid and give relief. Pregnant women are recommended to choose the antacids mindfully, or the best thing is to ask your doctor for them or consult when you bought them.