Pregnancy is considered to be a time of joy for new mothers. This is the time when they are pampered and their every wish is fulfilled (well almost every wish). However, there are a few things that can cause discomfort and pain for an expectant mother. One of these is pregnancy heartburn.
Why do some women suffer from heartburn when pregnant?
One question that arises frequently is why do some women experience heartburn while they are pregnant and other women don't.
Well, heartburn occurs when the digested food juices reflux back into your esophagus and throat. There is a valve that usually keeps the stomach acids in the stomach where the intestinal lining protects your body from the effects of the acid. This valve is called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. When the LES muscle relaxes, the stomach acids reflux into the esophagus. This causes the lining of the esophagus, which is thin and unable to deal with the acid, to get irritated and inflamed.
During pregnancy a woman's body goes through many changes to accommodate the growing baby. As the baby continues to grow within the womb, there is pressure put upon the stomach. This pressure in turn may force the stomach acid to reflux through the LES into the esophagus. Thus causing pregnancy heartburn.
There is also another reason that might contribute to pregnancy heartburn. When a woman is pregnant heartburn does not occur only because of the digested food juices refluxing back into the esophagus and throat. There is an increased amounts of hormones in the body which can soften the muscles that normally keep the LES closed. Thus if the LES relaxes at an inappropriate moment, then food and gastric acid reflux back into the esophagus.
How to eliminate pregnancy heartburn?
Because there is no 100% way to get rid of heartburn in general, there is also no perfect cure for acid reflux problems during pregancy. With a few simple precautions however you can hold the heartburn at bay. Even though you might want to eat certain foods during pregancy there are some food which should be avoided because they are known to trigger heartburn can greatly reduce the chances of heartburn.
Pregnant women should avoid drinks containing coffee, tea, colas and alcohol as these can relax the LES and allow acid to reflux back into the esophagus. Furthermore, they should avoid eating large meals. Instead eat several small meals throughout the day should be prepared.
People suffering from heartburn should also take their time eating as rushing through meals helps put unwanted pressure upon the LES. They also need to drink plenty of water in small amounts throughout the day.
Furthermore pregnant women should pay attention to how they sleep. If they keep their heads elevated higher than their stomaches this will reduce the risk of nighttime acid reflux. This position will keep the stomach contents in the stomach where they belong and not in the esophagus where they will cause pregnancy heartburn. During the day you should sit upright in a comfortable chair rather than slouching.
Gain a sensible amount of weight and stay within the weight guidelines your doctor suggests. Being pregnant does not mean suffering unduly because of heartburn, rather you can think of it as a change in your lifestyle. A change for a miracle of life, not for pregnancy heartburn.