An acid reflux pregnancy is something most women aren’t prepared for, but with a little knowledge they can reduce or eliminate their pregnancy reflux all together. Surprisingly there are a lot of women that experience heartburn and acid reflux during pregnancy. Below I describe the things they can do to help eliminate their acid reflux pregnancy symptoms.
Let me first start off by saying there’s good news and bad news about acid reflux in pregnancy. First the good news… it usually subsides and resolves itself after the first month or so after giving birth. The hormone levels return to a normal level and the body starts to go back to its normal self. Now the bad news is that during pregnancy about 25% of the women experience heartburn or acid reflux on a daily basis. Come the third trimester about 75% of these women experience some kind of severe heartburn or acid reflux during pregnancy.
Pregnancy and acid reflux happen for several reasons:
A changing levels of hormones, specifically progesterone, can cause the way the digestive system functions. Typically what happens is a relaxing of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which keeps the stomach acids from flowing up into the esophagus. When the LES is relaxed then it’s very easy for stomach acids and food to reflux back into the esophagus and throat.
As the fetus grows and develops, it continues to take up more space within your body. While the female body will adjust to handle these changes, it usually causes more pressure on the stomach. This in turn causes the stomach acid and food to be forced up into the LES, and then to the esophagus and throat resulting in the pregnancy acid reflux.
The lifestyle changes many women go through during pregnancy are perfect catalysts for acid reflux and pregnancy. Wearing too tight of clothing, eating large meals and then lying down, the green light many women give themselves to eat what they want we they’re pregnant, all can contribute to a reflux pregnancy. Combine reflux and pregnancy and you probably have a very uncomfortable women. These can all be remedied by just not doing them. I know it sounds a little cliche, but it’s really that simple.
Probably the most important change a women can make to help control their reflux during pregnancy is to change their sleeping position. As I discussed in my article on Acid Reflux Pillows, a reflux pillow or wedge is ideal to help elevate acid reflux during the night.
Well it’s not as bad as it sounds for you pregnant women. The following advice should signifcantly reduce your heartburn and acid reflux in your pregnancy, but it may not totally remove it.
- Keep your weight at an optimal weight. The additonal weight and fat will put more stress and pressure on your stomach. Follow your physicians guidelines for your weight gain during your pregnancy.
- Know and stay way from the trigger foods of heartburn. The most common trigger foods are chocolates, spicy foods, citrus fruits, mustard, tomatoes, fatty foods, fried foods, and highly seasoned dishes.
- It is advised that pregnant woman drink more water at least 8 to 10 glasses spready out throughout the day. If water is only taken during meals then the stomach will expand putting more pressure on the LES causing it to open at inappropriate times.. So be sure to drink water between meals.
- Don’t eat large meals. It is suggested that taking numerous small meals throughout the day is better.
- Make sure you rest for at least three hours after having your last meal before laying down for bed.
- When sleeping elevate the head of the bed for at least six to eight inches. Try to sleep with an elevated head and shoulders through a heartburn or acid reflux pillow also known as a wedge pillow.
- Take your time and don’t rush while eating your meals. Chew your food thoroughly to help avoid heartburn and acid reflux.
- Stay away from drinks that have caffeine, like tea, coffee, and soda. Too much of these will cause the LES to relax and let the acid to return into the esophagus.
- Bend at the knees and not the waist. This will help you avoid putting any additional pressure on your stomach.
- Try to sit with good posture and don’t slouch. The slouching causes the stomach to be pushed up towards your espohugas putting more pressure on the LES.
- Stay away from alcoholic beverages. Just like the caffeine type of drinks, they have a tendency to relax the LES, which can trigger heartburn and acid reflux.
- Don’t wear tight clothing. The tightness around the waist and stomach will trigger heartburn..
- Don’t smoke. This should be obvious for many reasons beyond heartburn or acid reflux during pregnancy.
Having acid reflux or heartburn while pregnant can be painful for some women, but it doesn’t need to be. Most if not all of the heartburn and acid reflux symptoms during pregnancy can be eliminated if the advice I listed above is followed. Acid reflux and pregnancy or heartburn and pregnancy don’t have to define the nine months whlie your pregnant… so do yourself a favor and take control now. As always, consult your physician to determine what course of action is best for you.
The ebook “Cure Your Heartburn” covers everything you need to eliminate your heartburn, indigestion or acid reflux naturally, which is ideal for pregnant women. It’s definitely worth a look.
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