Heartburn can be a painful side effect of pregnancy. According to Trish Booth, author of "Pregnancy Q&A: What You Want and Need to Know About Pregnancy and Childbirth," heartburn occurs because raised levels of progesterone cause your stomach to digest your food much more slowly. As a result, acidic foods are able to travel back into your esophagus more easily. You have likely experienced the burning feeling at the back of your throat and in your chest and wonder if there is anything you can do to relieve your discomfort.
Step 1
Eat small meals more often during the day. Consume less food less often to keep your stomach from being so full that acid can escape back into your esophagus and cause you pain, Booth recommends.
Step 2
Eat slowly and chew your food well. Take your time when you eat your meals and chew each bite thoroughly to help your body digest your food easier and help prevent acid from coming back up later, suggests, Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel, authors of "What to Expect: Eating Well When You're Expecting."
Step 3
Eat a few hours before you go to bed at night. Prepare your meals early so your food has plenty of time to digest before your lay down to go to sleep.
Step 4
Elevate your head while you sleep. Place an extra pillow under your head and neck to keep your head upright because it can help ease heartburn discomfort.
Step 5
Do not eat foods that commonly cause heartburn. Pass on high acidic foods such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, coffee, soda and spicy foods.
Step 6
Wear your clothing loose to keep it from constricting your stomach and causing you additional pain. Choose pants that do not fit tightly to help ease pressure on your abdominal area, Booth recommends.
Step 7
Mix 1 tbsp. of honey into a cup of warm milk and drink it, Murkoff and Mazel suggest. Cold milk or yogurt may also work.
Tips and Warnings
- Raise the head of your bead slightly if you experience heartburn on a regular basis because it will keep your head elevated. Use blocks or a folded up blanket to elevate your mattress and help alleviate heartburn discomfort. Keep a food diary to help you identify the foods that cause your heartburn so you can eliminate them from your diet until your baby is born.
- Do not take antacids for heartburn while you are pregnant without getting permission from your doctor.
Things You'll Need
- Pillows
- Loose clothing
- Milk
- Honey
References
- "Pregnancy Q&A: What You Want and Need to Know About Pregnancy and Childbirth"; Trish Booth; 2004
- "What to Expect: Eating Well When You're Expecting"; Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel; 2005
