Many of the common complaints and symptoms that are associated with heartburn can be avoided with certain diet and habit changes. If you find you are prone to getting heartburn, it may be worse during pregnancy. During the second and third trimester your stomach is growing a great deal. It is pushing your uterus up, which will put pressure on your stomach. Heartburn is then caused by your stomach leaking through your esophagus.
With 1 in 4 pregnant women suffering from heartburn, key advice can help them prevent it:
1) How you eat
Eat 6 small meals throughout the day. Large meals may make you too full causing acid to leak up through the esophagus. Eat slowly and enjoy your meals. This will aid in the digestion process. Also, some women find that they should stop eating at least 2 hours before they go to bed. This will give your body plenty of time to digest before laying down.
2) Don’t mix your drink and food
Try to avoid consuming a lot of liquid with your solid foods. This can cause your stomach to distend. Also, eat sitting up to avoid this. If you are on bed rest, prop pillows behind you while eating.
3) Watch your weight
Carrying excess weight can aggravate heartburn symptoms by placing increased pressure on your esophageal sphincter. Be sure to stay in the recommended weight gain for pregnant women your age.
4) Watch certain foods
Pay attention to the foods that seem to cause your heartburn. Some common aggravating foods include chocolate, spices, soda, citrus, and acidic sauces. Greasy or fried foods also seem to bother a lot of pregnant women.
5) Remedy it
It is perfectly healthy to take an over the counter antacid such as a Tums or Rolaid tablet. Take them at the start of heartburn before it gets too unbearable. If you want to avoid antacids, some women have found relief in eating almonds or a tablespoon of honey in a glass of milk.
Many of the common complaints that pregnant women face can be avoided with a few simple changes. By determining what foods or habits are causing your heartburn, you can stop it before it starts.
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