Heartburn during pregnancy: how to get rid of it?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Pregnant women need to pay more attention to their he alth and constantly fight against the manifestations of this or that negative condition. He alth-related illnesses are especially unpleasant. Heartburn during pregnancy. How to get rid? After all, many drugs are prohibited for a woman at this time.

How does heartburn happen?

Unpleasant sensations occur in the abdominal cavity due to the formation of a large amount of acid, which helps in the digestion process. An increase in its level leads to irritation of the mucous membrane on the walls of the stomach and esophagus. Expectant mothers experience pain due to the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the muscles of the abdominal cavity.

The occurrence of this unpleasant condition does not indicate increased acidity of the stomach or that the contents of the stomach are thrown into the esophagus.

Discomfort is manifested most often in the form of heartburn during late pregnancy. This condition occurs due to the large mass of the fetus. The enlarged uterus presses on the stomach, so the woman feels discomfort. This usually happens after a meal. Before starting heartburn treatment, the specialist determines the causes of the burning sensation. Only after that, appropriate treatment is prescribed.

Causes of heartburn

When preparing the female body for conception, it produces the hormone progesterone. Its main task is to relax the uterus so that its increased tone does not prevent the fetus from developing properly. However, the hormone thus affects other smooth muscles located between the stomach and esophagus, as well as those that move food through the stomach to the duodenum.

Maximum effect of progesterone on the musculature of the gastrointestinal tract by the end of the 13th week. It is at this time that women begin to experience heartburn during pregnancy when eating acidic foods or lying down 1-1.5 hours after a meal.

In the second trimester, the uterus begins to actively grow and move the abdominal organs upward. Due to the relaxed muscle of the esophagus, a small part of the food is thrown into the esophagus. It occurs as a result of bending over, due to overeating and sudden movements.

Heartburn during pregnancy in the third trimester is due to an even larger uterus. It manifests itself even in a standing position, usually after eating. Before the onset of labor, the uterus descends slightly, and the level of progesterone produced decreases. A woman feels this by reducing symptoms such as burning.

The main causes of heartburn are related to pregnancy, and all its manifestations usually disappear after childbirth. Sometimes during this period, an exacerbation of chronic gastritis can occur, especially when consumed in large quantities of sour or pickled foods. Therefore, if, in addition to heartburn, there are sensations such as nausea or pain in the stomach, then a consultation with a gastroenterologist is necessary.

Main symptoms of heartburn

In some cases, the main signs of this condition (if they are not complicated by other negative sensations) can be eliminated on your own.

Typical symptoms of heartburn during pregnancy include:

• A burning sensation that extends beyond the sternum or abdomen, but may also affect the throat.
• Occurrence of sour belching, although it may be absent.
• Pain occurs when a woman bends over or takes a horizontal position.
• Mouth tastes bitter along with acidity.

So, pregnancy heartburn has been identified. What to do? You should consult a specialist in the following situations:

1. When a persistent cough accompanies heartburn.
2. Nausea occurs, which provokes vomiting.
3. Feel pain in the larynx and stomach.
4. Diarrhea occurs.
5. Sweating increases.

It is impossible to ignore these unpleasant sensations, and it is also not recommended to self-medicate. For mild symptoms of heartburn during pregnancy, home remedies can be used.

What mattersremember to treat heartburn?

It is difficult to find an effective way to treat discomfort in pregnant women. In many situations, the choice of drugs is limited due to the negative impact on the fetus.

What can be done for heartburn during pregnancy? First of all, treatment is based on the correction of the woman's lifestyle and her proper nutrition. However, there are simple methods that can be used at home. They belong to the so-called "ambulance".

How to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy? Soda can be attributed to the most affordable remedy that relieves discomfort. However, it is not recommended to use it during pregnancy and after childbirth. The remedy is able to briefly eliminate heartburn and, being absorbed from the intestines into the blood, changes its pH. This could harm the fetus. In addition, baking soda can damage the protective layer of the stomach lining, sometimes leading to ulcers or gastritis.

Sometimes, instead of soda, you can drink "Borjomi" or "Polyana kvasova" in small quantities. Drinks need to release gas, otherwise it will increase the volume of the stomach, which leads to the opposite effect.

If worried about heartburn during pregnancy, what to do? For treatment use the following:

• drink room temperature milk in small sips throughout the day;
• freshly squeezed potato juice taken in small amounts for heartburn;
• when an attack occurs, you can chew nuts (almonds), but in a smallquantity;
• take 1/2 cup of oatmeal jelly after an attack;
• eat a small amount of sunflower seeds;
• chew a small piece of carrots.

Such remedies can only help for a short time, during an attack of heartburn.

Lifestyle changes

How to remove severe heartburn during pregnancy? To eliminate discomfort as much as possible, you need to follow these rules:

1. Starting from the 2nd trimester, a woman needs to eat often, but in small amounts.
2. Last meal 3 hours before bed. Proper nutrition will reduce and extinguish acidity.
3. Must chew food thoroughly.
4. After a meal (especially during an attack of heartburn during pregnancy), a woman should not tilt her head down or take a horizontal position for 1-1.5 hours.
5. Exclude fried, spicy foods from the diet, limit the use of seasonings.
6. Women need to monitor their daily bowel movements. With increased intra-abdominal pressure, heartburn occurs. To eliminate the appearance of constipation, you can eat a few pieces of prunes at night.
7. The diet should include foods with an alkaline pH. These include: steamed omelettes, cream, milk, boiled meat and fish.
8. Abdominal exercises during early pregnancy heartburn attacks are not done.
9. You need to sleep on high pillows, if there are no contraindications. In this position, the outflow of gastric juice to the esophageal mucosa stops.
10. Don't wear tight clothes. It increases pressure and provokes the penetration of acid into the esophagus.
11. It is not recommended to drink water with meals.

Following these recommendations will reduce the symptoms of severe heartburn during pregnancy.

Diet

A few recommendations on proper nutrition will save a pregnant woman from discomfort.

With attacks of heartburn during late pregnancy, junk food is excluded. It is necessary to completely remove from the diet foods that irritate the gastric mucosa and weaken the sphincter:

• chocolate, regardless of color and variety;
• carbonated drinks;
• pastry products (cakes, pastries);
• smoked dishes and spices;
• black coffee;
• sour fruits and berries.

The diet should not contain foods that increase the acidity of the stomach:

• sour cucumbers and sauerkraut;
• garlic;
• food that is difficult to digest (mushrooms, pearl barley);
• you need to avoid fried and fatty foods, if possible, replace them with dietary ones.

The listed food groups are best completely eliminated from the diet or reduced to a minimum. How to eat to eliminate discomfort?

Eating small meals often helps, without overeating. You need to take food slowly. The last meal should take place a few hours before bedtime. This reduces discomfort and improves well-being.expectant mother and child.

Folk ways

How to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy? The following products will help with this:

1. Oatmeal and buckwheat porridge. Taking them daily prevents heartburn.
2. Kissels made with natural fruits.
3. It is good to consume milk and dairy products. This requires an individual approach. Many moms-to-be get rid of pregnancy heartburn with a few sips of warm milk or yogurt. However, this does not always remove the discomfort.
4. Honey in combs. A natural product is best consumed in small portions, chewing like chewing gum. However, the remedy is ineffective for constant burning attacks.
5. Mint or linden honey is consumed with aloe juice. The leaf of the plant is rubbed on a fine grater and mixed with the same amount of beekeeping product. Use 30 minutes before a meal or when an attack occurs.
6. Grated carrots. Vegetable, not surprisingly, allows you to get rid of heartburn in a short time. To do this, it is recommended to eat a couple of tablespoons of chopped root crops to remove the unpleasant sensation. It is not necessary to add sugar to the resulting mass, otherwise the opposite effect will occur.
7. Seeds and sunflower seeds. As mentioned above in the article, raw sunflower seeds have a positive effect. Steamed flax seeds can also help (tbsp per cup of boiling water). It is not recommended to abuse this remedy so as not to aggravate problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
8. Healing decoctions on herbs and roots. Fortea from lemon balm, mint, chamomile, fennel seeds, dill are suitable for this. The decoction is prepared as follows: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of grass pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Insist under the lid for 20 minutes. Drink 200 ml 3 times a day before meals.
9. Crush eggshells into powder. Take 1/3 teaspoon for no more than 4 days in a row.
10. Fresh ginger or ginger tea. You can chew a small amount of fresh root or make tea from it in a thermos. To improve the taste, add a spoonful of honey to it.
11. Aromatherapy. For the procedure, it is best to use lemon or orange oil (4 drops). The basis is grape seed oil (1 teaspoon). The mixture is used to massage the upper back and chest. It can be added to bath water and the vapors can be inhaled. Aromatherapy can be used as an independent procedure, as well as in combination with other means to combat discomfort.

What can be done for heartburn during pregnancy? It is useful to drink water with an alkaline reaction. Drink a small amount at the first sign of heartburn.

Women who suffer from discomfort can carry a small bottle of Borjomi water or another brand.

Medications

There are drugs that are designed to get rid of discomfort in the form of heartburn. However, they should not be prescribed on their own, so as not to harm the body of the mother and child.

What medicines for heartburn during pregnancy can be used? One of the most popular drugs is Rennie. These are chewable tablets that are taken 40 minutes after a meal. For pregnant women, it is best to use the drug without any fruit additives.

It is recommended to take no more than 11 tablets per day. This is the maximum dose. 1 tablet may be chewed no more than once every 2 hours.

If there is no positive effect, the specialist may prescribe a more effective drug. Among them: "Maalox", "Gaviscon", "Smekta", "Almagel" and others. They have antacid properties. The active substance of the drug neutralizes the acid in the stomach and envelops the mucosa with a protective film.

Medications for heartburn during pregnancy are not recommended to be combined with other medicines. Only by trial and error can you find the perfect drug.

Mental attitude and sleep

An effective way to deal with heartburn during pregnancy in the third trimester can be attributed to a he althy and strong night's rest. After all, he is able to restore strength and get rid of many diseases.

Specialists put forward a version that is based on the psychosomatic causes of heartburn. This manifests itself as a kind of message to mother and child.

Sometimes this condition occurs if the parents are expecting a boy, and a girl develops in the womb. A woman in some situations is very afraid or worried, andalso for some reason does not accept the child. Babies are usually sensitive to this. It’s just that the expectant mother needs to tune in positively, as well as change the course of her thoughts.

It is very useful to walk outdoors in a park or square. Spend all your free time with positive-minded people who will help you completely get rid of all fears. With the normalization of the emotional state, negative feelings disappear on their own.

Heartburn during pregnancy torments almost every woman. Although this is a natural state, it should not be tolerated.

In closing

Heartburn during pregnancy can be observed in many women. Unpleasant feelings give her a lot of inconvenience.

If possible, it is best to avoid chemical drugs. After all, they can negatively affect the he alth of not only the expectant mother, but also the baby.

In some cases, folk remedies and the transition to proper and balanced nutrition will provide effective assistance. By eating certain foods, you can achieve a cessation of burning sensation and other unpleasant symptoms.

If a woman follows the recommended daily regimen, does not overeat, walk after eating, she will get a positive attitude.

After all, pregnancy is a wonderful period in a woman's life, despite some negative aspects. And the condition of the expectant mother is fully reflected in the he alth of the child.