home
Health
Heartburn during pregnancy: home treatment (diet, approved drugs and folk recipes). Getting rid of heartburn during pregnancy

Heartburn during pregnancy: home treatment (diet, approved drugs and folk recipes). Getting rid of heartburn during pregnancy

14.08.2019

If your pregnancy is like mine, you know what it's like to taste food 3 hours after eating. This burning sensation in the chest and throat, the taste of acid in the mouth, is not just an accident. These are symptoms of heartburn. Heartburn is especially distressing during the last trimester of pregnancy because the enlarged uterus rises up over the site of the stomach, allowing digestive acids to flow from the stomach into the esophagus. Toward the end of the article, we have prepared a video for you with recommendations from experts!

Here are 10 ways to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy:

1. Avoid fatty and fried foods with spices.

These foods produce stomach acids, weaken your lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach contents to flow back up into your esophagus. Taken together, this is a very bad combination. But everything is not limited to this. and caffeine can also trigger heartburn. And, I'm just crying to tell you this: chocolate is another foe for heartburn.

2. Sleep posture.

Sleep with something under your head and shoulders so that your head and upper body are higher than your legs. This should stop the flow of acid into the esophagus. You will also breathe better because you are pregnant and the baby is putting pressure on your lungs!

3. Eat less, but more often.

3 large meals a day can cause heartburn in anyone, not just pregnant women. Therefore, I certainly know that a huge order of Nachos beckons you, but eat slowly: a little now, the rest later, so as not to fill up on Nachos at night looking. Plus, if you eat in small portions throughout the day - this not only keeps the acidity normal, but also helps prevent morning sickness - we kill two birds with one stone! And the last thing to remember: the last meal should be 3 hours before bedtime.

4. Do not go to bed immediately after eating.

I know when you are pregnant you get tired quickly, but still, try not to lie down for an hour after eating. If you really need to, lie down on your left side. This is simply due to the way we are structured. When you are, acid from the stomach is more likely to enter the intestines. In addition, when you sleep on your left side, the volume of blood supply and nutrition increases, reaching the placenta and the baby. For a more stable position, keep your legs bent at the knees with a pillow between them.

5. Avoid clothes that put pressure on your stomach.

Most likely you do not strive to wear tight clothes anyway, but if you do wear such things, it is better to leave them for the period after childbirth. Tight clothing can increase pressure on the stomach and stomach, causing acid to escape into the esophagus. And don't forget to sit up straight - it holds back acid (No, no, I'm not your grandmother ... but she's right!)

6. Drink enough water.

It may seem counterintuitive, but heartburn can actually be a sign of a lack of water in the body. daily and everything will be fine, with only one condition: do not drink all this amount of water during meals. If you drink large volumes of liquids at one time, this can bloat the stomach, putting pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter and causing acid to leak up the esophagus.

7. Chewing gum.

If heartburn is really bothering you, buy your favorite chewing gum at the pharmacy to chew after every meal. Research shows that chewing gum promotes saliva production, which can lower acid levels in the esophagus and help prevent gastroesophageal reflux disease. Chewing gum also contains valuable bicarbonate, which helps to neutralize the acid flowing into the esophagus. So it will do double duty and freshen your breath as well (Especially if you disobeyed the previous tip and ordered that plate of spiced Nachos after all!)

8. More dairy products.

Most moms-to-be have noticed that eating a few spoonfuls of yogurt after a meal or anytime heartburn sets in helps reduce the burning sensation. results early research it is even suggested that the probiotics found in yogurt may help with heartburn. The bacteria in yogurt also helps keep your gut healthy by killing bacteria that cause you to feel sick. If you don't like yogurt, some women are saved by milk or ice cream.

9. A little exotic in favor.

Papaya contains digestive enzymes that soothe the stomach. Papaya can be consumed in the following form: fresh, dried, canned, as a juice or even a pill! Plus - the fruit is absolutely safe to eat during pregnancy. You can eat delicious fresh fruit, drink papaya juice, or simply take a few papaya extract tablets after meals to aid digestion and leave less chance for heartburn. Of course, before taking anything, consult your doctor.

10. Folk methods.

Many moms-to-be swear that home remedies like baking soda in water help keep heartburn under control. I've never tried baking soda, but I've found that just a glass of water often helps put out the burning fire in my throat and chest. Other home remedies that have been reported to work are ginger, fresh or in pill form, and fennel tea. If none of this worked, remember that heartburn isn't permanent. Complete remedy getting rid of heartburn during pregnancy - to give birth to a child.

In a pregnant woman, there is often a burning sensation behind the sternum or in the esophagus, mild / moderate nausea, increased salivation, sour unpleasant belching, bloating.

The reasons

A significant increase in the size of the uterus provokes pressure on the intestines, diaphragm and stomach, as a result of which part of the contents of the stomach is thrown into the esophagus.
Change in the acidity of the contents of the stomach in the direction of its increase.
Change hormonal background during pregnancy, it provokes a slowdown in muscle contractions - digestion and splitting of the consumed products under this inhibition factor takes longer than usual, which causes a functional disorder.
High intra-abdominal pressure, together with a high concentration of progesterone, which relaxes smooth muscles, negatively affects the work of the esophageal sphincter, and it skips part of the contents of the stomach.

Heartburn in the early stages

The fundamental factor in heartburn is a change in hormonal levels, in general, and an increase in the concentration of progesterone in particular. It is this female hormone that is actively produced first in the ovulation phase, and after conception, its level constantly increases. Its main purpose is to stop menstrual cycle, inducing the survival of the egg in the uterus, stimulating the growth of the uterus and the overall development of tissue synthesis.

One of the direct actions of the “pregnancy hormone” is to relax the smooth muscles and slow down their contractions, which protects the embryo from miscarriage. At the same time, the sphincter relaxes in the same way - a kind of “valve” between the stomach and esophagus, which begins to involuntarily pass the contents of the first into the second. The situation is aggravated by a slowdown in digestion / splitting, caused by insufficient production of enzymes, which in turn are inhibited by a sharp jump in the overall hormonal background. The combination of the above processes negatively affects the female body, experiencing heartburn and often toxicosis in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Heartburn in the later stages

On the later dates During pregnancy, the body of the fair sex fully adapts to the dynamic changes in hormonal levels and the constant increase in progesterone levels. However, at the end of the middle period of pregnancy and the beginning of the late, heartburn occurs again.

Now, its cause is an enlarged uterus, which grows with the fetus, puts pressure on neighboring organs and, at the same time, not only slows down the process of digestion of food, but also compresses the diaphragm, as a result of which gastric juice enters the esophagus.

In some cases, heartburn during pregnancy is so severe that it significantly worsens the quality of life of the fair sex. In this situation, it is not enough to buy over-the-counter drugs - you need to contact for additional advice.

Usually, for a medical course, the specialist prescribes an appropriate diet, excluding spicy, fatty and sweet foods, as well as carbonated drinks. In addition, given general recommendations, such as the rejection of tight clothing that squeezes the stomach, the correct posture during sleep, etc.

How to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy

There are several ways to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy. First of all, you need to change your lifestyle, try to move more (of course, within reason), and also adhere to a certain diet that excludes the use of "heavy" foods and substances that somehow stimulate the secretion of gastric juice, and also help to relax the sphincter. It is advisable to completely exclude from the diet all fatty, muffin, hot and alcoholic drinks, chocolate, pickles, the most “sharp” citrus fruits, and stop smoking. You need to eat fractionally, in small portions.

Pills and medicines

Taking drugs to suppress is primarily aimed at neutralizing unpleasant symptoms.

Antacids / gastroprotectors. The most commonly prescribed are Rennie, Gaviscon, Ranitidine.
Alginates. Assign alginic acid.
proton pump inhibitors. Omeprazole, Rabeprozole.

Folk remedies

Folk methods have been helping a person fight heartburn for hundreds of years. Of the most effective means you can note:

Regular intake of milk. If you do not have an allergy to milk or individual lactose intolerance, then drink it half a glass five to six times a day, adding a few drops of fennel oil to the liquid.
The egg shell, previously removed from a hard-boiled egg, has a beneficial effect. Grind it in a blender and take ½ teaspoon several times a day for 5-10 days - the symptoms of heartburn should weaken or disappear altogether.
For the prevention of heartburn, poorly certified chamomile-ginger tea is suitable. Brew 1 teaspoon of the mixture per glass and drink 150 grams of the decoction once a day for two weeks.
Reduce heartburn fresh potato juice- 2 tablespoons 3 times a day, as well as jelly (2 cups a day).
Brew 30 grams of heather or 20 grams of centaury in ½ liter of water, boil for five minutes, then let it brew for 6 hours. Strained broth take one tbsp. spoon four times a day.
Drink one glass of Borjomi on an empty stomach - the symptoms of heartburn will disappear for several hours.
A number of pregnant women help to overcome the onset of heartburn, grated carrots - grate 2 fruits and chew until the symptoms disappear.
Mix together five drops of neroli oil, a teaspoon of grapeseed extract, and a drop each of orange/lemon essential oil. Rub the resulting mixture into the chest a few drops twice a day, morning and evening.

Any folk remedies described above can be used only after prior consultation with a gastroenterologist and your doctor!

One of the most popular and cheapest remedies among the people, which helps with heartburn, can be considered soda - it has been used for more than a hundred years. Baking soda immediately after taking it, it very quickly relieves the pregnant woman of pain in the stomach and negative symptoms, however, being a suction antacid, it has a number of side effects.

Too short duration. Most patients complain that after one or two hours, the symptoms of heartburn reappear.
Violation of the acid-base balance. Regular intake of soda disrupts the acid-base balance of the stomach and can lead to its irritation, and if there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, ulcers), it can significantly worsen the patient's condition.
Production of carbon dioxide. During the chemical breakdown of soda and its dissolution in the stomach, carbon dioxide is formed, which in itself induces the secretion of gastric juice, which in turn accelerates the recurrence of heartburn symptoms.

Useful video

Heartburn during pregnancy

A happy time, when a woman is waiting for the birth of her own baby, is sometimes overshadowed by various unpleasant "surprises". Either it hurts the lower back, or it mercilessly vomits from the smell of a recently favorite dish, or it doesn’t let you live. Some women complain that they felt like fire-breathing dragons for most of their pregnancy. But now they proudly and knowingly tell their friends in misfortune what to do to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy. Still, because they are now real connoisseurs. So, what will help to cope with heartburn and calm your “fiery volcano”?

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the lower retrosternal or epigastric region, throat, as well as a sharp sour taste in the mouth. This condition is provoked by the fact that the contents of the stomach are thrown into the lower esophagus, thereby irritating the mucous membrane. Statistics show that more than 80% of women complain about it. Most often, this condition occurs already in the second half of pregnancy, when the fetus is large enough. As a rule, heartburn develops some time after eating. For some women, it lasts just a few minutes, while others suffer for several hours. If a woman suffered from heartburn in the morning, it does not mean that the attack will not recur later - during the day she can return several times. One thing reassures: heartburn and all the unpleasant sensations that occur during heartburn do absolutely no harm to either the pregnant woman or the baby. However, this does not mean that it should not be fought.

Why does heartburn occur during pregnancy?

Heartburn in the early period of pregnancy (up to 13-14 weeks) is caused by hormonal changes that occur from the first days after conception. The hormone progesterone, which is now produced in a larger volume, relaxes all the smooth muscles of the woman's body. The sphincter, the muscle that separates the stomach from the esophagus, also relaxes. It is the sphincter that prevents food from returning from the stomach back to the esophagus.

Heartburn, which occurs in the second half of pregnancy, occurs due to an increase in the size of the uterus. This organ, rising, puts pressure on the stomach, lifting and flattening it, as a result of which the contents of the stomach fall back into the esophagus.

There are certain factors that increase heartburn or even provoke its occurrence. Among them - taking antispasmodics, wearing tight clothes, a heavy dinner before bedtime, drinking coffee, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, spices, sour vegetables and fruits. The same applies to various sauces, mayonnaise, sausages and even chocolate. True, a pregnant woman is unlikely to wear tight clothes, drink analgin, or use any of the above.

Heartburn treatment during pregnancy

Heartburn can be treated with medication, but not all of them are approved for use during pregnancy. This means that a pregnant woman should never self-medicate! There is no adviser, neither mom, nor girlfriend, nor television advertising. To date, the most famous of the antacids is Rennie. Take it, according to the instructions, you need 45 minutes after eating. In the second and third trimester, Ranitidine and Omeprazole are allowed to be taken. But the so-called folk ways every expectant mother can try, but only those that have been repeatedly tested and whose effectiveness (and safety !!!) has been proven in practice. It is better to use medicines when nothing from the tried already helps, and it is already unbearable to endure.

So, a pregnant woman, as a prevention of heartburn, should:

improve nutrition: you need to eat often (5-6 times a day), but in small portions, do not eat "heavy" and spicy foods. Doctors do not advise making the last meal just before bedtime (preferably at least 3 hours before);
drink boiled milk (in small portions and throughout the day).

And for a future mother who is already trying to get rid of heartburn, the following tips will help:

Take raw oatmeal and a small amount chew them during the next "attack". Hazelnuts or almonds, sunflower seeds, grated carrots will also help.
Non-acidic jelly or freshly squeezed potato juice will save you from heartburn. These drinks coat the stomach and esophagus and soothe the lining of the esophagus.
A pinch of grated on the tip of the tongue helps to cope with heartburn. With the same success, you can chew a piece of fresh root crop.
Sleep on your back. This will avoid squeezing the stomach. Moreover, it is best to lie in such a way that the upper half of the torso is higher than the lower.
After eating, do not lie down and bend over for the next 40 minutes.
Try not to be nervous and avoid stress as much as possible. Not only that developing baby this is completely useless, so the woman will also suffer from heartburn.
Don't wear tight clothing. Now is the time to update your wardrobe and buy special clothing for pregnant.

There are several recipes for decoctions of herbs that save you from heartburn and that you can take during pregnancy:

Take 200 milliliters of boiling water and fill them with 10 grams of centaury. Wait a few hours to insist. Then strain and drink four times a day, one tablespoon.
Take 15 grams of common heather and pour 500 grams of water. Boil for 2-3 minutes. After infusion, you can use. You need to drink this decoction several times a day, half a glass at a time.

If someone advises to save yourself from heartburn with ordinary soda, do not listen to these "advisers". Of course, this method is widely used and even helps a lot, but soda contributes to the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This means that heartburn will return with renewed vigor after a while.

Take care of yourself, and let nothing overshadow your pregnancy!

Specially for Olga Rizak

Heartburn during pregnancy is a nuisance that visits many women in the II-III trimesters. Appearing after the next meal, unpleasant pain It may take only a couple of minutes, or it may take several hours. Due to hormonal changes occurring in the female body, the muscles of the esophagus relax. Therefore, the contents of the stomach are thrown into the lower esophagus. At a later date, unpleasant sensations in the epigastric and retrosternal region are caused by the pressure of the uterus on the stomach. Heartburn does not harm either the mother or the child, and after pregnancy, its manifestations disappear without a trace.

There are ways to deal with unpleasant sensations burning in the stomach. They are safe for future mother as well as for the baby.

How to get rid of heartburn - 12 main ways

The most important rule is fractional nutrition. Try not to overload your stomach too much. Eat 5-6 times a day, but only in small portions.
Eat food 3-4 hours before bedtime. Half an hour before bedtime, it is enough to drink a glass of kefir.
If heartburn occurs on an empty stomach, then you can eat a few crackers or nuts.
The following foods should be excluded from the daily diet: chocolate, pickles, fatty meats, garlic, smoked meats, citrus fruits, sweet soda. They can cause heartburn.
Include in the diet products that lower the acidity of the stomach: dried bread, steamed meatballs, lean beef, milk, hard-boiled quail eggs.
A faithful assistant in the fight against heartburn is the use of powdered buckwheat.
To neutralize the acids contained in the gastric juice, you will be helped by an ordinary alkaline mineral water(for example, "Narzan"). Consume it throughout the day in small portions.
Drink a glass of water 15 minutes before meals. After eating, it is better to refrain from drinking drinks for an hour.
Choose the right clothes. You should not choose models that are too narrow and squeezing the stomach.
Avoid any forward bending or other stress on the press. If you need to bend over, for example, to tie your shoelaces, it is better to squat or stool.
During sleep, give your body a semi-sitting position. To do this, place two or three small pillows under your head and shoulders.
Stooping, as well as poor posture, can lead to pressure on the abdomen, which, in turn, will cause severe heartburn and may adversely affect the child. Therefore, you need to monitor your posture throughout your pregnancy.

Medical treatment for heartburn

The best way to cope with an unpleasant burning sensation in the esophagus is antacids, which are not absorbed into the blood and, accordingly, cannot have any negative impact to the formation of the fetus. Most often, specialists prescribe Gaviscon, Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Ranitidine.

Pregnancy should bring a woman an incredible kaleidoscope of positive emotions. Heartburn, which overshadows the wonderful waiting time for a baby, can be fought, both with the help of medicines and with the help of other methods. Remember that before starting any treatment, it is imperative to consult with your doctor.

After reading the article, you will learn how, at home, to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy. For what reasons does it occur and which products should be avoided, and which, on the contrary, will help you.

Foods that cause heartburn

Much of what we all love so much causes heartburn during pregnancy, so it’s worth limiting yourself in some products. In order to avoid heartburn, you should avoid the following: citrus fruits, tomatoes, fatty and spicy foods, chocolate, mint products, and others.

home remedies for heartburn

Foods that are in almost any home are excellent for heartburn. Let's look at a few of them: almonds, papaya, ginger, milk with honey, fennel seeds and others.

Tips for preventing heartburn

To avoid heartburn, you need to follow simple recommendations such as:

Avoid foods that cause heartburn.
Sleep right.
Eat properly.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Avoid stress.

Let's now consider this issue more carefully.

Causes of heartburn during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the hormones progesterone and muscle relaxant are produced in abundance. They relax all the muscles in your body, including your uterus, preparing your body for childbirth. However, because of this, food and the acids it contains make it easier to get back into the esophagus and cause heartburn. Secondly, as your baby grows, it needs more space to survive, so the uterus forces the stomach to move up and put pressure on your digestive tract, causing heartburn.