Heartburn During Pregnancy
Gas and Indigestion
Heartburn during pregnancy is a common discomfort.
Have you ever wondered why it is called heartburn?
Well, truly we don't know.
It has nothing to do with your heart,
and this is good news.
What is heartburn?
Heartburn during pregnancy.
Heartburn relief and foods that cause heartburn.
Treatment for heartburn.
Gas and indigestion during pregnancy.
Resources.
Reviews.
Cause of Heartburn
Heartburn is caused by stomach acid coming in contact with your esophagus.
What does heartburn feel like?
The symptom of heartburn is a burning sensation after meals in your throat or in your chest behind the breastbone.
You may also experience a sour taste in your mouth or the unpleasant feeling that vomit is rising in your throat.
Heartburn During Pregnancy
Progesterone - a pregnancy hormone - relaxes the smooth muscles in your body, which is great for birth but also slows digestion...
...not so good.
The valve that separates the food in your stomach from your esophagus becomes relaxed and allows food content to slip back up resulting in heartburn.
The slower digestion lets the food ferment in your stomach longer and creates indigestion and gas.
Remember that as your pregnancy progresses your growing baby and your organs - namely stomach and intestines - compete for space.
And as it should, your baby wins and your stomach hikes up under your chest further creating a stress on your digestive system.
But, don't worry, after your baby's birth all your organs will return to their proper positioning
...eventually!
Digestive disturbances can happen at any time, but are more common in
the second and third trimesters.
Heartburn Relief
Can I prevent heartburn during pregnancy?
Yes...to an extent.
Avoid foods that cause heartburn by encouraging the valve in the esophagus to relax further:
Greasy or fatty foods
Chocolate - we know that is a tough one.
Caffeine
Tomato products
Onion
Garlic
Spicy foods
Avoid drinks that cause heartburn as well:
Carbonated drinks
Citrus juices
Alcohol
Sit up straight while eating.
Remain upright for several hours after eating.
Take a leisurely stroll after dinner to get digestion going.
Include healthy sources of fiber in your diet to help the digestive system do its job.
Best bran muffins
Buttermilk bran muffins
Eat frequent, small meals.
Drink between meals.
Do not take antacids such as Tums. They actually make things worse in the long run.
Do take a natural enzyme - but be cautious of your choices.
Mom Tips for a Natural Pregnancy from Florence
I suffered from heartburn with my second twin pregnancy.
I wonder why!
I took two enzyme tablets at bedtime.
It worked very well for me.
Treatment for Heartburn During Pregnancy
Essential Oils
Some essential oils help with heartburn:
Ginger
Lemon
Peppermint
Mom Tips for a Natural Pregnancy from Alisha
When I suffered from heartburn during pregnancy, I added a few drops of Lemon essential
oil - therapeutic grade, of course - to a little water...
...Voila it's gone!!
Herbal Remedy for Heartburn
Slippery Elm is a wonderful herb which can help
you obtain heartburn relief naturally.
It is usually taken in powdered form in 0 gelatin capsules.
Each capsule holds about 1/8 of a teaspoon.
Dosage:
Take four capsules 2 to 3 times daily.
For best results swallow the capsules with a warm beverage...may we suggest Pregnancy Tea?
Or you can make Slippery Elm tea:
Bring 1 cup of water to a boil
Add 1/2 tsp. of the powdered bark or 1 tsp. of the bark - simmer for 20 minutes
Strain
Drink one cup per day.
Nutrition for Heartburn During Pregnancy
Yogurt and lemon water can be of help for heartburn. In any case, yogurt is a wonderful food to eat often.
Make your own yogurt with our easy recipe.
Gas and Indigestion During Pregnancy
Gas enters your system when you swallow air. It can also form inside your body when bacteria work on undigested food in your intestine.
Here are some suggestions on how to alleviate gas...
sorry to say but you may not get rid of it altogether.
Avoid gas causing foods.
Stay away from high-fat, fried foods.
Again eat often and have small portions.
Eat and drink slowly. And as strange as this may sound do not drink through a straw.
Try to drink between meals rather than during.
Stay away from gum.
Get plenty of exercise, best done before a meal or at least one hour afterwards.
Stay hydrated...drink lots of water.
Any drink that is not water or herbal tea - sodas, etc - actually give you negative hydration!
This means that you need to drink more water to flush your body out.
A good enzyme and pro-biotic may also help.
Heartburn During Pregnancy: Resources
Have You Suffered From Heartburn?
Which natural remedy worked best for you? Do you have a tip? A comment? Share it!
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