How to relieve heartburn in pregnant women

For every pregnant woman, pregnancy is not an easy process, because during pregnancy, pregnant women will inevitably face various unpredictable problems. Especially in the early stages of pregnancy, due to changes in hormones in the pregnant woman's body, the probability of various abnormal problems will be relatively high. For example, many pregnant women in the early stages of pregnancy will obviously feel heartburn. So how should this symptom be relieved?

Why do heartburn symptoms occur?

Heartburn in pregnant mothers is caused by excessive stomach acid. One of the reasons is chronic diseases, such as gastric ulcer, chronic gastritis, indigestion, etc.; the other is that pregnant mothers consume too much irritating food during pregnancy, such as pepper, onion, ginger, garlic, vinegar, oil, etc.

Many pregnant women experience a burning sensation in their stomach after seven months of pregnancy, especially when they bend over or lie down to rest after dinner. They have no history of stomach pain such as gastritis or gastric ulcer. In fact, this heartburn phenomenon is quite common among pregnant women. It mostly occurs in the late pregnancy and disappears after delivery. It is medically called heartburn during pregnancy.

Heartburn in late pregnancy is mostly caused by gastric acid reflux through the junction of the stomach and esophagus, stimulating the pain receptors in the lower esophagus. From the second month of pregnancy to delivery, the level of progesterone in plasma gradually increases. High concentrations of progesterone can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, causing gastric juice to reflux into the lower esophagus.

In addition, in the later stages of pregnancy, the rate of gastric emptying slows down, and gastric juice stays in the stomach for a longer time, which can easily cause gastric reflux.

Diet to relieve heartburn symptoms

Pregnant mothers suffering from heartburn should pay special attention to their daily diet. It is best for pregnant mothers to seek treatment for the cause, or have a regular diet, or reduce irritating foods, or take some antacids under the guidance of a doctor.

The editor recommends that pregnant mothers should follow the following points during their diet.

1. Do not drink a lot of water or beverages at one time, especially strong tea and beverages containing caffeine or chocolate, as they will aggravate the relaxation of the esophageal muscles.

2. It is advisable to eat less spicy food, overly cold or overheated food, because they will irritate the esophageal mucosa and aggravate heartburn.

3. Do not lie down immediately after a meal. If you can stand or walk slowly for half an hour, it can speed up the passage of food through the stomach and reduce the burden on the stomach.

4. Eat small meals frequently. This can reduce the burden on the stomach.

5. Drink a glass of milk or eat some low-fat ice cream before meals. Dairy products can form a protective coating on the stomach lining, helping to relieve the burning sensation.

Raise your head and feet of the bed when sleeping

In fact, if pregnant mothers pay attention to every detail of sleep during pregnancy, it can also relieve heartburn symptoms. The editor reminds pregnant mothers that it is best not to eat before going to bed. Avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before bedtime so you have enough time to digest your food.

After 7 months of pregnancy, many pregnant mothers use a few more pillows or wedge-shaped cushions when sleeping. It is believed that elevating the upper body can help keep gastric acid in the stomach and promote digestion.

In fact, it is not enough to just use pillows and cushions, because it is impossible to raise the angle of the entire upper body. On the contrary, it can cause a bend between the esophagus and the stomach, affecting the flow of food into the stomach, aggravating esophageal reflux, and exacerbating the feeling of "heartburn".

The best way is for pregnant mothers to raise their head below the foot of the bed by 15 to 20 cm when sleeping, so that their upper body is raised 10 to 15 degrees, which can effectively reduce esophageal reflux.

In addition, pregnant mothers can also gain weight appropriately, but not beyond the range recommended by the doctor. It is best to wear loose and comfortable clothes on a daily basis, and never let tight clothes squeeze your waist and abdomen. When pregnant mothers need to lower their bodies, it is best to bend their knees instead of bending over.

Keep bowel movements regular and don't smoke

To reduce esophageal reflux, pregnant mothers should have smooth bowel movements and actively prevent and treat respiratory tract infections to avoid increasing intra-abdominal pressure. If the pregnant mother has a history of constipation, the editor strongly recommends that she not rely on medication during pregnancy, especially after 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Pregnant mothers with constipation can eat more bananas and honey to make the stool softer and easier to pass. Honey can strengthen the body, prevent and treat respiratory infections and avoid coughs.

Pregnant mothers should remember to get up early and go to the toilet on time, because regular bowel habits are very important for health. When you have free time, it is best for pregnant mothers to do appropriate prenatal exercises. It is best to eat fresh vegetables often, especially those rich in fiber, and drink a glass of milk or warm water in the morning to help prevent or relieve constipation.

In addition, pregnant mothers should never smoke. Not only does smoking lead to many serious health problems, but it also increases stomach acid secretion. For the health of the future baby, women who have the smoking habit should quit smoking before pregnancy. But if you're still smoking after becoming pregnant and find it difficult to quit, talk to your doctor to see if she can help you find a suitable way to quit smoking.