Acid reflux and pregnancy: Causes and Tips to treat

Acid reflux, digestive problems and heartburn in pregnant women are often found a lot, mainly during the last trimester of pregnancy. These minor ailments should not alarm the mother because they are not serious conditions and present no hazard to her health. However, they remain very unpleasant and bothersome.

What causes acid reflux during pregnancy?

For various reasons, many women tend to experience symptoms of heartburn during pregnancy.

One of these reasons why heartburn occurs in pregnant women is due to the changing hormonal secretions during pregnancy. One of the effects of changes in hormonal secretions is the relaxation of the ligaments whose function is to keep the lower esophageal sphincter closed, leaving the gastric acid and food to reflux into the esophagus and throat.

Another reason for experiencing heartburn during pregnancy is the change in the body due to the development of the child which increases pressure on the stomach of the woman. Therefore, the contents of the stomach are pushed towards the esophagus.

How pregnant women are affected by acid reflux

Gastric reflux during pregnancy is caused by excessive production of progesterone, which reduces the gastric activity that in turn causes the ingested food to stay longer in the stomach. To add to this, the compression of the stomach by the uterus at the end of pregnancy also worsens the situation.

This increased pressure within the abdomen further causes the diaphragm to change the position of the cardia (small valve between the stomach and esophagus) and passes the reflux of acidic gastric juices upwards. This results in burning pain that the pregnant woman feels in her sternum, accompanied by irritation of the lining of the esophagus. These inconveniences are usually accompanied by digestive problems and bloating; digestion is slower and more difficult.

Acid reflux are more common when the mother is lying down or when she leans forward thus increasing the compression. After the baby is born, these small ailments disappear and the digestive system of the mother returns to normal operation to her relief!

Tips to reduce acid reflux during pregnancy: preventive measures against heartburn 

However, there are several methods for pregnant women to reduce the discomfort caused by heartburn. The following tips can reduce discomfort, even if they do not completely eliminate heartburn during pregnancy:

1. Avoid foods that trigger heartburn. For example: chocolate, spicy foods, citrus fruits and sweetened fruit juices, mustard, tomatoes and tomato based products, fatty foods, fried foods and spicy foods. Ask your doctor for a complete list of foods to avoid which reduce acid reflux during pregnancy, as well as foods that you can take that reduce heartburn.
2. Do not drink beverages containing caffeine, tea, sodas.
3. Remove alcoholic beverages. Since caffeine, alcohol tends to relax the esophageal sphincter, and trigger heartburn. More alcohol is strongly discouraged during pregnancy for these effects on the baby.
4. Avoid large meals. It is suggested that many small meals throughout the day.
5. Take your time to eat your meal. Chew food will really help you avoid heartburn.
6. Rest for at least three hours after your last meal before bedtime.
7. It is recommended that a pregnant woman to take several glasses of water daily, at least 8 to 10 glasses during the meal but also throughout the day. Through this, the stomach distends; increasing the tension of the esophageal sphincter to prevent it opens inappropriately. It is therefore strongly recommended to drink plenty of water between meals.
8. When sleeping elevate the head of the bed. Try sleeping with your head and shoulders elevated with a cushion. Through this, the gravity will help keep acid in their place in the stomach, and not in the esophagus. Talk to your doctor for further advice on how to relieve nighttime heartburn.
9. Do not wear tight clothing. Compression size and stomach will trigger heartburn as it causes uneasiness.
10. When you bend down, use your knees, not the waist. This will avoid creating too much pressure on the stomach.
11. When you are sitting, stand up straight rather than arched.
12. Maintain a reasonable weight. Overweight increase pressure on the stomach and hence on the esophageal sphincter. Follow your doctor's instructions.
13. Avoid smoking. Besides the effects on the general health and the baby, smoking can cause heartburn. Particularly through its effects on the esophageal sphincter.
14. Finally, if heartburn is too intense, talk to your doctor or gynecologist who could possibly prescribe gastric dressings or other treatments.

If you are experiencing acid reflux right now you can also take a look at some short term home remedies for Acid Reflux.