Suffering from heartburn during pregnancy is quite common. It leads to experiencing a burning sensation in the chest, throat and sour acidic taste in the mouth. This happens due to the increased level of hormones in your body which leads to re-flux of food and stomach acids back into the swallowing tube. Also, as the baby grows, it puts more pressure on your stomach which forces back the contents of the stomach into the esophagus. Since, there are limited options for medications in relation to pregnant women, it is always advisable to switch to home remedies rather than prescribed medications, in order to avoid side effects for yourself and your baby, as far as possible.
Almonds
During pregnancy, whenever you experience a strong burning pain in the center of your chest, the best way to get an instant relief from this acidic bout is by chewing seven pieces of almonds immediately. This home made remedy can work like wonders and will give you an instant relief from heartburn. Make sure that the almonds are not salted or fried as that can worsen the condition. The almonds should be in their raw form in order to get the desired result.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great healer for acidic burns in the chest during pregnancy. Mix half teaspoon of baking soda to half a glass of water and have it sip by sip. This would relieve you from heartburn. But, make sure to use baking soda which clearly mentions that it can be used as an antacid. However, if you happen to suffer from swelling on your body during pregnancy, this remedy is not suitable for you. Baking soda contains high level of sodium which can aggravate swelling.
Cream of Tarter
Cream of Tarter is a great absorber of acid content from the stomach. So, to nullify heart burns during pregnancy, mix half teaspoon of cream of tarter and half teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Consume 1 teaspoon of the mixture and let it work on your body. However, if you tend to suffer from water retention during your pregnancy, then this remedy is not for you. Intake of baking soda might do more harm than good, under such circumstances.
Soda Crackers
Unsalted soda crackers provide a magical relief during heart burns in pregnancy. They suck and absorb all the acid from your stomach, thereby reducing acid indigestion instantly. The presence of two vital ingredients, bio-carbonate and cream of tarter in unsalted soda crackers, assist in neutralizing the acidic effect within the stomach. This remedy even provides relief from nausea.
Proper diet regime
During pregnancy, it is very important to follow a strict diet routine which should not contain spicy food or spicy seasoning on food items. Your digestive system tends to slow down during pregnancy. Intake of spicy food items would further slow down your metabolism and digestion rate, thereby aggravating your heart burns. Best way is to have bland foods which can be easily digested. Other food items to be kept at bay during pregnancy are chocolates, citrus fruits and juices, fried and fatty food items, vinegar or any such item which is acidic in nature.
Milk and milk products
Eating yogurt or having one glass of warm or cold milk during bouts of heart burns in pregnancy, is considered an excellent way to relieve yourself of acidity and heart burns. If, while having milk, you mix 1 tablespoon of honey to it, it can be of an added advantage in yielding the desired results, at a quicker pace. However, you should not have milk in form of tea or coffee. These drinks contain high levels of caffeine that would only worsen heart burn, when you are pregnant.
Sleeping tips
While sleeping during pregnancy, keep your head in an elevated position, raised by the help of a pillow of 6-8 inches. This will allow gravity to work by keeping the acids of your stomach where they should be, i.e. in the stomach itself, and not let it reverse back into the esophagus. Also, remember to maintain a gap of at least 2 hours between your meals and sleeping times. Lying down immediately after the intake of food can lead to back flow of gastric contents into your food pipe, thereby causing heart burns.
Eating habits
While eating any meal of the day, do not hurry through it. Take time to chew your food properly. Also, eat small quantities at regular intervals rather than eating in large quantities with a lot of gap in between the meals. Small quantities of food taken, can be easily digested without putting pressure on the stomach and leading to heaviness.
Water intake should be sufficient
During pregnancy, it is very crucial to drink plenty of water about 8 to 10 glasses everyday. This will help wash away toxins from your body and reduce the occurrence of acidity and heart burns. Only banking on other fluids in large quantities can put more pressure on your LES and force it to open inappropriately. Best is to alternate some of the fluids with water in between meals.
Lifestyle and clothing during pregnancy
When you are pregnant, you should always opt to wear loose and comfortable clothes, which are not tight around the stomach or waistline. Also, while bending down, squat on knees, rather than bending at waist. This will prevent you from putting excessive pressure on the stomach. Always sit upright in an easy and comfortable chair. Do not slouch. Keep a check on your weight gain and make sure to put on sensibly with proper guidance by a physician. Too much of body weight also puts extra pressure on the stomach that leads to forcing back of stomach contents into the esophagus, thereby resulting in heart burn and acidity.
