Heartburn also is known as acid indigestion or acid reflux. It occurs when digested food and stomach acids push up your esophagus, causing a burning sensation, sour taste and feeling that vomit is rising in your throat. Heartburn in pregnancy is a normal occurrence and can come and go. Contact a doctor if your heartburn is waking you at night or if you're experiencing difficulty swallowing, losing weight, spitting up blood or having black stools.
Your Esophagus
Normally, a valve at the bottom of the esophagus closes after food passes, preventing food or stomach acids from flowing back up. Swallowing triggers the valve to relax, but sometimes the valve relaxes for other reasons. Common causes of heartburn and indigestion are eating caffeine-containing food or beverages or greasy, fatty or spicy foods. Eating too much or too quickly also causes heartburn and indigestion, as does lying down after eating.
Pregnancy Hormones
Hormones released during pregnancy relax the smooth muscles of the uterus. These hormones can relax the valve in your esophagus, as well, allowing stomach acids to rise. Pregnancy hormones also slow down the contractions of your esophagus and intestines. They slow the muscles that push food from your esophagus to your stomach and those that work to digest your food, slowing digestion altogether. This all contributes to heartburn in pregnancy.
The Growing Baby
Heartburn and indigestion can worsen in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. This is because your growing baby crowds the organs in your abdominal cavity. Pressure on the intestines and stomach can push stomach contents back up into your esophagus.
Lifestyle Treatments
Avoid alcohol, caffeine and carbonated drinks. Also avoid acidic foods, highly seasoned foods and processed meats. Fatty and fried foods can cause heartburn and indigestion in the pregnant woman and so can mint products. Eat smaller meals to avoid heartburn and don't lie down after eating. Sleep propped up on several pillows and don't eat too late at night. Fluids can distend your stomach and contribute to heartburn, so avoid drinking too much with your meal. Take care not to gain too much weight during your pregnancy, wear loose clothing and avoid bending from the waist. Chewing gum can neutralize stomach acids, and avoiding cigarette smoke can lessen acid.
Other Remedies
The American Pregnancy Association recommends eating yogurt or drinking a glass of milk to ease heartburn in pregnancy. Check with your doctor before using antacids because they may contain aluminum, aspirin, high levels of sodium or even lead. Aluminum can cause constipation and is toxic in large doses. You shouldn't take aspirin when you're pregnant reports BabyCenter. Sodium can cause fluid buildup in the pregnant woman. Sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate are antacid ingredients with lots of sodium. Your doctor can help you find acid reducers that limit the amount of acid your stomach produces. They're considered safe to use for the pregnant woman.
