Causes of Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

Many pregnant women tend to experience acid reflux symptoms or heartburn throughout their pregnancy. A friend explained that she was experiencing terrible ?heartburn? symptoms and that they occurred earlier in her second pregnancy than it did in her first. Her complaints prompted my research on the topic and here?s what I?ve learned.

Heartburn or acid reflux occurs during pregnancy for several reasons. The increase of hormones in the pregnant woman?s can cause a softening in the ligaments that keep the lower esophageal sphincter firmly closed. When the lower esophageal sphincter rests it will let the gastric acid and food to reflux back to the esophagus and throat.

Another reason for experiencing acid reflux during pregnancy is that the developing baby creates more pressure in the women?s stomach. Therefore, the stomach contents are forced right into the lower esophageal sphincter and then to the esophagus. This explains the tendency of heartburn to be more prominent during the second and third trimesters.

Tips for Minimizing Acid Reflux

There are several ways that pregnant women can observe to lessen the discomfort brought by heartburn. The following are good places to start, although this may not remove the heartburn totally:

? Avoid Triggers. Obvious triggers include spicy foods, citrus fruits and juices, mustard, tomatoes and tomato based products, fatty foods, fried foods, and highly seasoned dishes. A less obvious ? and harder to eliminate trigger food ? is chocolate. Refer to medical specialists to know the complete list of foods to avoid Acid Reflux as well as those that are less likely to cause heartburn.

? Cut out caffeine. Drinks like tea, coffee, and soda will cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and let the acid to return into the esophagus.

? Eat Less More. It is suggested that taking numerous small meals throughout the day will be better than having 2 or 3 larger meals.

? Slow Down When Eating. Your mother told you to chew your food! Chewing food thoroughly will help in avoidance of heartburn because it is easier for the stomach to process.

? No Midnight Snacks. Resting for at least three hours after having your last meal before going to bed gives time for the stomach to clear its contents.

? Drink More Water. Pregnant women are advised to have 8 or more glasses of water throughout the day. We?ve all heard this advice, but one of the reasons is that it causes the stomach to expand, thereby drawing down the lower esophageal sphincter and keeping it closed.

? Raise Your Head When Sleeping. Elevating the head of the bed may not be a possibility, so try to sleep with a wedge pillow. Having your head and shoulders elevated allows gravity to work and keep the acids in your stomach in their place.

? Lose the Skinny Jeans. Tightness around the waist and stomach can trigger heartburn as well as general discomfort as the baby develops.

Squat, Don?t Bend. Bending at the waist causes too much pressure in the stomach. Bend at the knees of squat instead.

? Sit Up Straight. Don?t slouch; slouching reduces the effects of gravity on stomach contents. Try sitting erect in a relaxing chair.

? Baby-Weight Only. 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 lower esophageal sphincter and to the esophagus. Stay within your doctor?s guidelines.

Just Don?t Do It

I?m sure that your obstetrician advised you about not smoking or drinking alcohol during your pregnancy because of the potential negative effects on the developing baby. If you needed more reason that that to avoid these activities, then it?s worth mentioning that there is a link between them and experiencing acid reflux during pregnancy.

? Avoid Smoking. It is common knowledge that smoking causes birth defects and is generally unhealthy, but it is also a factor in pregnant women experiencing acid reflux.

? Avoid Alcohol! The documented effects of alcohol on the developing baby are irrefutable. Alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy or limited to very small quantities, consumed infrequently. Like caffeine, alcohol tends to relax the lower esophageal sphincter thus triggering heartburn.

Source: http://www.flyingeagleenterprise.com/causes-of-acid-reflux-during-pregnancy-2/

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