Many women complain of heartburn during pregnancy. Heartburn during pregnancy is in fact one of the most common side effects of pregnancy. You may experience heartburn as a burning sensation in your throat or chest. Other women experience heartburn as a large lump like feeling in their throat or upper chest. Either way, heartburn is uncomfortable and best avoided or prevented if possible during pregnancy. Fortunately there are a number of simple steps you can take to minimize your heartburn woes during pregnancy.
The simplest way to do this is to break your three large meals down into six smaller ones. That way you'll be eating during pregnancy roughly every 3 hours. This will help curb hunger pangs. What you don't want to do is eat a full size meal six times every day, as you will be getting much more than the recommended 300 extra calories every day. Think about 1/2 the size of your ordinary meal. Most women will get roughly 400 calories at each sitting, though this will vary from woman to woman depending on your individual body composition, activity level and caloric needs.
Indigestion and heartburn also are common during the third trimester. This typically results when the growing size of your uterus places increasing pressure on your intestines and stomach. This can promote stomach acids passing into the esophagus and therefore heartburn.
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- Eat several small meals during the day instead of three large ones. This will help reduce the pressure on your stomach and help ease the digestion process.
- Avoid foods that are spicy or overly fatty, as this can contribute to heartburn in pregnancy.
- Always eat at least one hour before laying down at night. Laying down shortly after eating will contribute to heartburn. Some women find they feel best if they allow at least two hours between eating and laying down, whether for a nap or for bedtime.
- Eat plenty of yogurt or try some milk if you experience frequent heartburn. These foods can help reduce heartburn symptoms.
- Avoid drinking lots of fluids during meals, which can distend your stomach and contribute to heartburn.
- Try chewing some gum after meals, which may help neutralize stomach acids and reduce heartburn.
- Avoid caffeine and carbonated beverages that can also contribute to heartburn.
- Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight or that pinch at the waist. This can also contribute to heartburn.
- Avoid spices and hot sauces as well as certain condiments including ketchup or mustard.
- Avoid tomato and tomato based products including marinara sauce, which for some may contribute to heartburn.
- Try mixing some honey with your milk, which can also ease the burn and discomfort of heartburn.
- Try over the counter antacids such as Tums to relieve severe heartburn. Check in with your healthcare provider first. Most antacids are considered relatively safe to use during pregnancy, but you should always check the label and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
If none of these measures helps relieve your heartburn, check in with your doctor. They may be able to prescribe something stronger to relieve your discomfort. Some women who have heartburn problems before pregnancy might find their symptoms particularly difficult during pregnancy and may require more aggressive treatment.
Of course the most important thing to remember is as with all pregnancy side effects, this too will pass. In fact you should realize an abrupt improvement in your symptoms soon after delivery.
