The very sudden, sour, burning sensation of something coming up in your throat known as heartburn or acid indigestion is known all too well to expectant mothers. About 50 percent of pregnant women experience heartburn, and the symptom gets worse during the third trimester due to pregnancy hormones and an enlarged uterus. Before reaching for a bottle of antacids, which should be used with caution during pregnancy, try some simple lifestyle changes that often ease heartburn.
Change in Diet
Avoid fatty, spicy and fried foods since they, along with pregnancy hormones, tend to make the muscles of the digestive tract relax making it easier for stomach acids to splash upward. Tomato sauce, black pepper, chocolate, peppermint, vinegar, carbonated beverages, caffeine, alcohol and smoking can all trigger heartburn, according to the American College of Gastroentology (ACG) and the Mayo Clinic.
Foods that are sometimes helpful in reducing heartburn are yogurt, milk or a tablespoon of honey added to a glass of warm milk.
Slow Down While Eating
Your stomach and enlarged uterus are competing for space and leaving less room for the stomach acids needed for digestion. Less space coupled with relaxed sphincter muscles in the lower esophagus means stomach acids may have nowhere to go but up. Some women find eating more slowly and spreading liquid intake throughout the day rather than just during meals reduces heartburn. Grazing -- eating several small meals throughout the day -- rather than three large meals can also help reduce heartburn.
Make Physical Changes
You can't nor should you want to change your body while it is working overtime for two. But the way you move and lie down can reduce the amount of stomach acids that splash upward into your esophagus. Wait an hour after eating before lying down. To prevent stomach acids from rising in your chest while lying down, raise the head of your bed or place extra pillows under your head and shoulders. Avoid tight clothing that can add pressure on your abdomen and stomach.
Antacids
Sometimes lifestyle changes simply aren't enough. When heartburn can't be reduced through lifestyle changes, see your health care provider who can tell you which antacids are safe to take.
The American College of Gastroenterology considers over-the-counter antacids containing aluminum, calcium and magnesium safe and effective for treating heartburn during pregnancy but magnesium should be avoided during the last trimester. Antacids containing sodium bicarbonate should be avoided because sodium causes metabolic changes that can cause fluid overload in both the fetus and the mother.
Other Medications
Histamine type 2 drugs such as Zantac and Tagamet were found in studies to be more effective than placebo in treating heartburn in pregnant women; although the studies showed no damage to the fetus, these studies were limited in size and duration. There is limited data on the safety of a newer class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors which are intended for only the most severe cases of heartburn during pregnancy.
