Acid Reflux And Pregnancy

Keeping Pregnant Women Away From Acid Reflux Dilemma

It is a known common experience that most pregnant women will have heartburn and this can happen for various reasons.

An increase in hormones during pregnancy, is one of the most common factors. This increases the ability of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to be closed, because it softens the ligaments function. When the LES rests at unsuitable periods, tendency is, this will let the gastric acid and food to reflux back to the esophagus and throat.

One more reason of experiencing heartburn during pregnancy is because the changes in the body and the development of the baby creates more pressure in a woman’s stomach. This will cause the stomach to force it’s contents up into the LES and the esophagus.

Fortunately, there are several ways pregnant women can help to elevate some of the painful discomforts from acid reflux. You can use some of the following tips, however, keep in mind they may not completely remove all heartburn.

1. Avoid the food that triggers heartburn. Examples of this are chocolates, spicy foods, citrus fruits and juices, mustard, tomatoes and tomato based products, fatty foods, fried foods, and highly seasoned dishes. You may also want to consult your physician on what food and beverage items you should or should not be ingesting.

2. Get rid of drinks that have caffeine, like tea, coffee, and soda. Too much of these will cause the LES to relax and let the acid to return into the esophagus.

3. Stay away from alcohol beverages. Alcohol is similar to caffeine, in respect to how it effects the LES, both will trigger the onset of heartburn.

4. Avoid eating large meals. It is suggested that taking numerous small meals throughout the day will be better.

5. Avoid rush when eating your meals. Make sure to chew your food well and take your time when eating, as this will also help cut back on the amount of heartburn you experience.

6. Get plenty of rest a after you eat each meal and do not get involved in any activity that will interfere with your body digestive system.

7. Drink plenty of water through out the day and in fact, women that are pregnant need to not only drink at least eight to ten glasses a day, they should drink them throughout the day. Through this, the stomach will expand, and then the LES will be given more pressure, obliging it to open inappropriately. Hence, it is really recommended to drink more water and other fluids in between meals.

8. When sleeping elevate the head of the bed to be at least six to eight inches high. You should try to elevate both your head and shoulder areas when sleeping. Through this, the gravity will work to keep the acids in your stomach in their place; in the stomach, not in the esophagus. Try to consult physicians to gain additional knowledge on how to relieve night time heartburn.

9. Don’t wear tight fitting clothes. If you wear clothes that are too tight around the stomach area, than that can trigger heartburn as well.

10. Be careful how you bend down to pick up things, always use your knees. This will avoid in creating too much pressure in the stomach.

11. Keep a good posture when your walking and when sitting.

12. Maintain a sensible amount of weight, too much weight and fatness will give more stress in your stomach. As a result, this will force stomach contents throughout the LES and to the esophagus. You should always follow your doctors advice on the recommended eating guidelines.

13. Avoid smoking. Doctors stated that smoking could cause several effects to a pregnant woman, and one is that it can add to the possibility of experiencing heartburn. By following all these tips, you will have a much healthier and happier pregnancy.