Heartburn During Pregnancy

Understanding exactly how and why heartburn during pregnancy occurs is an important first step in understanding the various possible solutions for this condition. By simply knowing what causes your heartburn during your pregnancy will enable you to be in a much better position to choose the particular solution that will suit you best. Usually the symptoms of heartburn will rear its ugly head during the later stages of your pregnancy when the baby is already heavy and usually growing fast. This rapid growth exerts more weight which tends to force food along with your stomach acid out of the stomach and upwards towards your throat. This is what results in that very uncomfortable heartburn feeling. The other major cause for heartburn during pregnancy are the hormones released by the body as the baby grows inside you. For instance, the placenta releases a hormone that usually relaxes the muscles in the stomach. This allows the stomach to expand more comfortably as the baby grows. However this is the same muscle that keeps acid from escaping from the stomach. And so when it relaxes it allows the acids to seap through upwards thus causing severe heartburn. Luckily there are a number of things that you can do to dramatically reduce heartburn during pregnancy. One effective tip used by many mothers is to quit drinking water during meals. Instead they drink it in between meal times. The way you eat your meals can also help cut down heartburn rather dramatically. Eat very slowly and sparingly. Avoid at all costs big meals. Understandably during pregnancy mothers tend to get urges to eat certain foods and when they get them they tend to overeat. By reducing the speed at which you eat, you can effectively reduce the amount of food that you take in. Also change from 3 large meals in a day to eatting smaller meals more frequently so that you end up with say 6 small meals a day. Eating large meals will increase the pressure on your stomach which is already heavy with your unborn child and so most women manage to dramatically reduce heartburn by reducing their food intake in the manner that I have just described. The other thing you should not do which will almost certainly give you a heartburn if you are an expectant mother is to go to bed or liing down immediately after your evening meal. Instead take a little exercise by walking around or staying on your feet for as long as you can comfortably bear it. The types of food you eat will also have a major impact. Try your best to avoid spicy and fried foods. Carbonated drinks and anything with caffeine in it should also be avoided as much as possible. When the pain still comes and you decide to take an antacid, always remember to avoid the ones that contain aluminum which could be harmful to your baby. Rather look for antacids that are made of calcium are much better if you really have to take them. By following these simple tips you can easily find that you have cut down dramatically on heartburn during pregnancy.