Introduction
Pregnant women often experience acidity during pregnancy, also known as indigestion. It is caused by hormonal changes or growing baby pressure.
To ease this indigestion or heartburn, a few changes in the diet, lifestyle, and exercise routine are needed, followed by medication prescribed by the doctor.
Acid reflux in early pregnancy
Acid reflux and heartburn are the two common symptoms of the initial stage of pregnancy. It usually starts around a month or two into the pregnancy.
Acidity during pregnancy is a burning sensation in the middle of the stomach and chest, accompanied by nausea.
Causes of heartburn during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the amount of progesterone hormone in a woman’s body increases and stays elevated throughout the entire course of pregnancy.
So, the stomach valve that leads back to the oesophagus relaxes, which allows more stomach acid into the throat, which results in a burning sensation in the stomach and the chest called acid reflux.
Due to the increased hormone production during pregnancy, the digestion process tends to slow down so that the baby can absorb more nutrients.
As a result of this, the food may stay in the stomach for a longer period of time than usual. This causes heartburn and acid reflux.
Heartburn in pregnancy treatment
Heartburn is one of the symptoms of acidity during pregnancy, which is a slight to severe tingling or burning sensation in the center of the stomach and the chest.
Although heartburn in pregnant women is quite common, some women might experience severe symptoms that disturb their everyday lives.
Unfortunately, we cannot completely get rid of or prevent heartburn for pregnant women, but we can control it to some extent.
8 Effective tips To control acidity during pregnancy
1. Diet:
Make dietary changes and avoid excess spices and sugary foods. It is better to eat bland food or foods that are easier to digest, like soups, fruits, fluids, etc.
2. Exercise:
Exercise is yet another factor that helps with relieving acidity during pregnancy. So once the doctor approves of it, indulge in some sort of exercise routine, like walking.
3. Avoid triggers:
One of the important things here is that there might be a few food items that trigger acid reflux. Identify those triggers and try to avoid them.
4. Eat smaller, more frequent meals:
Instead of opting for three large meals, split them into five or six smaller meals throughout the day. Splitting meals and eating them frequently can help prevent overloading your stomach, reducing acid reflux.
5. Stay upright after eating:
It is better to sit erect and not slouch, as slouching often triggers acid reflux. Make sure not to lay down immediately after having a meal for at least an hour. This way, gravity helps with better digestion by preventing stomach acid from flowing back.
6. Stay Hydrated:
Staying hydrated can help, as it helps dilute stomach acid. But ensure to not drink water in excessive quantities along with your meals, as it can put more pressure on the stomach, triggering acid reflux.
7. Ginger Tea:
As ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, it helps soothe the digestive system. So, drinking ginger tea can help relieve heartburn.
8. Consult with a doctor:
If the acid reflux is severe or persistent, consult a doctor immediately for better guidance.
Side effects of heartburn during pregnancy
There are a few side effects of heartburn for pregnant women.
- Weight loss: Some women tend to have food aversions during pregnancy, and acid reflux only makes it worse. Some pregnant women may feel like avoiding food because they are worried about having acid reflux or heartburn.
- Feeling sick: Feeling tired and sick is yet another common side effect of heartburn during pregnancy. Since vomiting drains a lot of energy, it might make one feel tired and sick.
- Dehydration: Puking frequently can cause dehydration. Hydration can also help relieve acidity to some extent. So, make it a point to hydrate well.
- Regurgitation: Regurgitation is when the partially digested food comes back to the throat. Regurgitation may leave a sour or bitter taste in the mouth as well as “wet burps.”
Conclusion
Heartburn and acidity cannot be completely prevented, and some women even have heartburn during the third trimester.
Consult with a doctor about it and ensure to follow the instructions given by him or her. If there is excessive heartburn or acidity, call the doctor immediately.
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