Pregnancy and heartburn all too often seem to go hand in hand. One of the causes of this is the raised hormonal levels that are due to pregnancy. This leads to softening of the ligaments which normally keep the lower esophageal sphincter tightly closed. Therefore, stomach acids are largely unhindered in travelling up to the throat and esophagus.
Another contributor to heartburn during pregnancy is the added pressure that the developing baby places on the stomach area. Often that can cause the stomach acids to climb up to the esophagus.
There are lots of options when it comes to easing the distress of heartburn during pregnancy. The following tips should give you some guidance in your search for heartburn relief.
* Stay away from foods that are known to cause heartburn. Included in this list are spicy foods, tomato products, chocolate, fried and fatty foods, and citrus.
* Don't drink beverages that are high in caffeine like tea, coffee and cola.
* Avoid alcohol, which you should anyway for the health of your baby.
* Eat smaller meals. Having several mini meals throughout the day will keep the pressure off your stomach.
* Don't eat too fast.
* Don't lie down to sleep until it's been three hours since your last meal. You're less likely to experience nighttime heartburn.
* Drink lots of water, at least 8 to 10 glasses each day. But be careful that you don't drink while eating if you can possibly avoid it. This leads to excess stomach expansion which helps to push out the gastric acids in your stomach.
* While sleeping keep your head elevated approximately six to eight inches. A wedge pillow might be useful for this. This gives gravity some help in keeping your stomach acids from climbing the esophagus.
* Don't wear tight fitting clothes. Tightness around the waist and stomach will trigger heartburn.
* Bend at the knees, not at the waist. This keeps pressure off the stomach.
* Watch your posture. Sit erect in a comfortable chair.
* Don't gain an excessive amount of weight. All that surplus fat puts added pressure on the stomach.
* Quit smoking. Not only is it unhealthy for your baby, it contributes to heartburn symptoms.
Another contributor to heartburn during pregnancy is the added pressure that the developing baby places on the stomach area. Often that can cause the stomach acids to climb up to the esophagus.
There are lots of options when it comes to easing the distress of heartburn during pregnancy. The following tips should give you some guidance in your search for heartburn relief.
* Stay away from foods that are known to cause heartburn. Included in this list are spicy foods, tomato products, chocolate, fried and fatty foods, and citrus.
* Don't drink beverages that are high in caffeine like tea, coffee and cola.
* Avoid alcohol, which you should anyway for the health of your baby.
* Eat smaller meals. Having several mini meals throughout the day will keep the pressure off your stomach.
* Don't eat too fast.
* Don't lie down to sleep until it's been three hours since your last meal. You're less likely to experience nighttime heartburn.
* Drink lots of water, at least 8 to 10 glasses each day. But be careful that you don't drink while eating if you can possibly avoid it. This leads to excess stomach expansion which helps to push out the gastric acids in your stomach.
* While sleeping keep your head elevated approximately six to eight inches. A wedge pillow might be useful for this. This gives gravity some help in keeping your stomach acids from climbing the esophagus.
* Don't wear tight fitting clothes. Tightness around the waist and stomach will trigger heartburn.
* Bend at the knees, not at the waist. This keeps pressure off the stomach.
* Watch your posture. Sit erect in a comfortable chair.
* Don't gain an excessive amount of weight. All that surplus fat puts added pressure on the stomach.
* Quit smoking. Not only is it unhealthy for your baby, it contributes to heartburn symptoms.
About the Author:
Just about everyone experiences heartburn at one time or another. Learn more about the symptoms, prevention and treatment of this uncomfortable condition at Heartburn Relief.
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