Heartburn in Pregnancy
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Heartburn can sometimes be one of the first – and last – symptoms of pregnancy. While uncomfortable or sometimes painful, heartburn during pregnancy is not unusual – especially during the second and third trimesters.
Heartburn occurs when food in the stomach is pushed up toward your esophagus. The combination of food and stomach acid that rises up causes a burning sensation behind your breastbone. It’s also common to have a sour taste in your mouth or feel like something is going up your throat.
Symptoms of heartburn occurs after eating, that can last from a few minutes to several hours. Heartburn is not usually a sign of anything serious; however, it can be a nuisance.
Some of the most common triggers for heartburn include:
- Greasy or fatty foods
- Spicy foods, such as peppers, as well as onions and garlic
- Chocolate
- Caffeine
- Eating a large meal
- Laying down after eating
Simple diet and lifestyle changes can make a difference and help to ease the burning and help keep it from returning. Here are some ways to handle the symptoms of heartburn naturally and avoid getting heartburn in the future.
- Avoid foods that can trigger heartburn. Stay away from foods that are known to cause heartburn, or those you’ve had trouble with. Chances are, they probably aren’t the healthiest foods to be eating, anyway.
- Don’t eat large meals. By eating smaller meals throughout the day, and especially before bedtime, you can help to prevent the symptoms of heartburn.
- Stay up. After eating any meal, large or small, to stay up and moving around for at least 30 minutes to keep your stomach contents down where they belong. Try not to lie down for about two hours after eating a meal.
- Chew gum. Chewing gum can help to stimulate acid-neutralizing saliva.
- Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Tight belts and waistbands can be constricting and increase pressure on your abdominal area.
