As we are seeing in our review of pregnancy week by week, the moment a woman becomes pregnant her body begins to change and suffer some discomfort arising from these changes. One of the most common pregnancy symptoms is heartburn, which can be quite annoying because of the continuity of the episodes and because it is not particularly pleasant to walk around with heavy digestions.
We will explain then what are the causes of many women suffering from heartburn during pregnancy and, what may be more useful, we will explain some measures that can help avoid such annoying burning or at least minimize the episodes.
Why heartburn occurs during pregnancy
The first cause of this "ailment" (between quotation marks because it is not such, is temporary and as a result of pregnancy) that affects 80% of pregnant women It is the increase in the size of the uterus. When the uterus grows, the stomach has less space and folds upwards making it easier for the stomach's acidic content to rise into the esophagus, causing heartburn, that is, burning.
Another cause is the decrease in hydrochloric acid that occurs during pregnancy. This acid is produced to digest food and during pregnancy it is produced in smaller quantities. The digestions slow down and, since the food is longer in the stomach, it is more likely to end up going up.
The third cause are hormonal changes (As you can see in other entries, they are the cause of many of the most wonderful things that happen during pregnancy, but also the heaviest to carry). During pregnancy, progesterone increases and this increase has as a side effect a relative relaxation of the gastroesophageal sphincter (responsible for not allowing food to pass into the esophagus), thus making its function worse and a slower stomach emptying, which causes the same as commented on the previous case.
What can be done to combat heartburn
There are some tricks that can help fight heartburn, although it is already known, fighting does not mean winning, but simply doing what is possible to win.
The recommendations would be the following:
- Eat less, but more times: that is, breaking up meals in small quantities so as not to fill the stomach much. If a pregnant woman eats a lot, the stomach is dilated and the return of food to the esophagus occurs more easily. In this way, in addition, it prevents the stomach from being empty, which also produces burning.
- Avoid certain foods: such as those high in fat and spices, exciting or stimulating foods (coffee or carbonated drinks). However, it is said that olive oil is a good remedy for heartburn when the stomach is empty.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol: but this is not only recommended for heartburn, but in any pregnancy with or without symptoms.
- Drink milk before bedtime: milk is rich in calcium and it neutralizes the acid, so it is usually recommended before going to sleep, for example, to prevent the onset of burning during the night. There are those who, on the other hand, suggest that when it is a food, the stomach is also activated to digest it and that the same milk ends up producing afterwards the burning that a while before has relieved. Everything is to try to see what happens.
- Make the digestions incorporated: either standing, sitting or semi-sitting. This is for a simple seriousness issue. In these positions it is more difficult for the acid to pass into the esophagus than if the woman is lying down.
- Wash foods well before eating: especially those that are consumed raw, to eliminate substances that can activate gastric juices.
- Sleep with the head of the raised bed: or with cushions, so that the trunk is slightly higher than the body and the esophagus and stomach are not at the same level. If it is uncomfortable to sleep you can put some tacos on the front legs of the bed so that the elevation is of the whole body.
- Try an infusion: like the mythical one chamomile, which can go well with burning, although before taking infusions it is advisable to discuss it with the gynecologist, in case there is any contraindication.
