The female body goes through tremendous changes during pregnancy which means that multiple common symptoms that follow it come naturally for a lot of women. However, if you have a chance to minimize the possibility of experiencing at least one, we are pretty sure you’ll take the given advice and make your life a bit easier.
In the following text, we will provide you with the information on how to deal with heartburn during pregnancy but let us first tell you why heartburn even occurs. Many women think that it must have been something they ate, yet the reasons usually don’t have anything to do with that spicy burrito or a juicy burger with extra cheddar. The main “culprit” behind the overly bothersome burning sensation in the chest and throat comes from progesterone which works as a muscle relaxer and allows the stomach acid to backflow into the esophagus or throat.
Luckily, there are certain things that you can include in your daily routine to potentially avoid heartburn – from modifying your diet and introducing new beneficial foods, to raising your head of bed to avoid acid reflux and drinking liquids at a particular time. If you wish to learn more about all of them and more, you can simply stay with us!
Eating Slower and More Frequently
Even though we said that the food doesn’t necessarily have something to do with the heartburn, the way you eat it and how often surely does.
If you include two or three more meals during the day and do your best to adequately split the portions, you will do your stomach a great favor. When we eat more frequently and less, the stomach is never stuffed which can easily contribute to heartburn. Eating slower will help digestion and prevent you from overeating as well.
Wearing Adequate Clothes
This one is pretty obvious since wearing tight clothes is a rare choice for pregnant ladies yet going for loose-fitting clothes brings more benefits than being just comfy. By reducing the pressure from the already packed abdomen, you will do the favor to your stomach as well and avoid worsening acid reflux.
Raising Head of a Bad to Prevent Acid Reflux
One of the surest ways to avoid stomach acid and contents reaching the esophagus when lying down is to elevate the head and torso from the rest of the body. Whether you select a pregnancy triangle pillow, under mattress bed wedge, or anything similar that works for you, the whole point is to make the gravity work in your favor to keep the acids away from the throat and of course, to be as comfortable as possible.
If you are looking for a pillow that you can put between your knees, under the stomach, or head while you watch TV, then a regular pregnancy triangle pillow might do the job for you. However, if you are looking for a solution that goes a long way and can help you rest during the night that you desperately need, you should try the under mattress bed wedge.
Our original Reflux Guard under mattress bed wedge comes in various sizes – twin, double, queen, king, and California king, so you’ll surely find the adequate one among our offer.
Since the idea is that our under bed mattress wedge covers the full length of your regular mattress, it will not slip or move during the night like that could be the case with the regular sleeping wedges. Even though the under bed sleeping wedge is lightweight, soft, and easy to store, it comes with a 10-year warranty as it is designed and made to last for long. Above all, you can regulate its incline which goes from 4 to 8 inches by moving the wedge towards or from the feet.
Introducing Nutritious and Anti-Inflammatory Foods into The Menu
Besides making sure to avoid any food that gives you heartburn which often includes caffeine, citrus, chocolate (unfortunately), and spicy food, you can also try eating certain foods which could be beneficial for acid reflux.
Ginger is a great remedy for an upset stomach as it can reduce inflammation, so you can chew small pieces of it a few times per day. Almond is a lovely and nutritious nut that has a lower acidity level than its cousins, so taking a handful of those surely can’t harm. Digestive enzymes in papaya and pineapple can aid digestion, while a cup of warm milk with honey can neutralize stomach acid. Make sure to try out different things and you’ll probably discover which one works the best for you.
Avoid Lying Down Immediately After Meal
We know that it is tempting to lie and rest after you have a nice meal, but a short or better, long walk would do miracles for your digestion. If you are not up for that, you can simply stand or sit for a while. However, keep in mind that you should avoid stooping or bending over as much as possible, especially after a large meal.
Stay Hydrated, But Don’t Drink While Eating
Staying hydrated is crucial for everyone, especially when you are pregnant as this is the secure way to eliminate toxins from the body and relieve heartburn and acidity. Water will also get things moving easier and prevent constipation, and help you stay in good shape. However, it is recommended to drink liquids after the meal to avoid filling out the stomach even more which can trigger acid reflux symptoms.
Finally, Do What You Can To Stay Relaxed
Since our brain has a direct effect on the digestive system and it can slow digestion dramatically, it is crucial to develop certain techniques to relax when feeling overly stressed. It is not scientifically proven that stress increases stomach acid production, yet it is known for sure that the muscles are under pressure when we are stressed which might be one of the reasons why we feel heartburn more intensely when in discomfort. Maintaining a good sleep quality, natural and consistent breathing, and meditation are just some of the things that can help you decrease the stress from your everyday life.
Important note:
This information is provided for informational purposes only. For diagnosis and treatment of your specific condition, always consult your doctor. Read the full disclaimer here.
