Keeping Pregnant Women Away From Acid Reflux Dilemma

Many women tend to experience heartburn symptoms when they are still carrying their babies, and this happens for several reasons.

One of these is the increase of hormones in a woman’s body while they are pregnant. This increases the ability of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to be closed, because it softens the ligaments function. As LES relaxes, the tendency is for the gastric acids and ingested foods to reflux back up into the esophagus area and throat.

Another reason they experience heartburn during pregnancy is from the changes occurring within her body as the baby begins to develop and grow, increasing pressure on her stomach. Therefore, the stomach contents are forced right into the LES, and then to the esophagus.

However, there are several methods that a pregnant woman can observe to lessen the discomfort brought from heartburn. 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. Avoid beverages with caffeine in them, such as; coffee, tea and soda. By drinking too many of them your LES will relax and that will cause acid to go up into the esophagus.

3. Always avoid alcoholic beverages. This, like caffeine tends to relax the LES thus, creating the same effect of triggering heartburn.

4. Do not eat large meals. It is suggested that taking numerous small meals throughout the day will be better.

5. Avoid rush when eating your meals. Chewing food thoroughly will really help in avoidance of heartburn, so it is better take your time while eating.

6. Make sure to rest after eating and avoid doing too much activity on a full stomach.

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. How you sleep is important too, you should arrange your pillows so you sleep around 6 - 10 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. Make sure the clothes you wear are not too tight. Tightness around the waist and stomach will trigger heartburn as it causes uneasiness.

10. When bending, do it at the knees, not at the waist. You do not want to put too much pressure on your 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. When that happens, it will force the contents within the stomach to go up toward the esophagus much easier. It is always best to stay with your doctors 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.