Why Pregnancy can Cause Severe Heartburn

During a woman's pregnancy a variety of changes will take place to her body. Some problems encountered during pregnancy like acid reflux can make it difficult for you to enjoy it. There is an old wives tale that pregnant women with acid reflux means the child will be born with a full head of hair. The truth is that higher stomach acid levels are produces by hormone changes during pregnancy which lends to a higher level of acid reflux.

When hormones change in pregnancy more stomach acid can be produced. One problem that can produce more acid is the fact that a lot of woman eat more during pregnancy. Combining more food with increased hormone levels produces more acid to reflux into the esophagus. Daily acid reflux is a thing nearly 1/4 of pregnant woman have to deal with. Getting enough sleep at night or focusing on daily routines is hard under these circumstances.

As the baby becomes larger more pressure on the stomach is felt. More heartburn pain is the result of extra pressure due to the acid moving into the esophagus. That is why the majority of pregnant women find that they suffer from acid reflux during the last few months of it. Since what the woman consumes affects the baby there are limits on what can be taken. The best way is to avoid prescription medication for acid reflux if possible.

It is possible to take antacids to treat mild cases of acid reflux during pregnancy. Taking antacids does not harm the baby according to extensive research. Pregnant women do need to be careful though as they contain large amounts of sodium. As a result legs and ankles can swell from retained fluid.

Every woman wants her baby to be as healthy as possible and that is understandable. That is why natural ways to alleviate acid reflux during the pregnancy is important. Some fruits may bring on acid reflux although you should still consume plenty of fresh fruit. Acidic fruits should be avoided if possible. Grapefruit, oranges, and lemons come under this category.

For better digestion eating smaller meals about six times per day is better. Smaller meals digest easier than large ones because more stomach acid is produced to digest larger meals. Your daily consumption of water should be increased to a daily amount to stay hydrated. The body will digest foods easier if taken with liquids. You could end up suffering throughout the night if you eat just before bed time so try to avoid it.

Elevate your head and shoulders when you sleep as well. Doing this stops acid reflux taking place at night or when lying down though the day. Elevation can be changed by stacking extra pillows or you can purchase specially designed wedge pillows. Another good idea is to have the head of your bed elevated with bricks or a board. The significant difference you will have by elevating your bed is definitely worth the effort.

Try to lay on your left side too as this will help to get the acid reduced in your stomach. Increased acid takes places when you lie on your right side or your back. It is not always comfortable to lie on your side during pregnancy but getting into the routine will be of great help. It will certainly help you to avoid suffering from acid reflux.

Following such guidelines will help you offset acid reflux during pregnancy. This is a great time for a mom so keep those negative aspects of it away. Consider relaxing and resting as important things to do now before the new baby keeps you awake late on. If you continue to suffer from acid reflux on a regular basis during your pregnancy make sure you share this information with your doctor. Severe heartburn can cause damage to the esophagus lining which in turn needs more treatment which can be alleviated by your doctor.