Pregnancy Symptoms-Heartburn and Indigestion

PREGNANCY SYMPTOM 

• Heartburn and indigestion is a burning sensation just behind the breastbone, sometimes with the regurgitation of stomach acid into the mouth. Although you are painfully aware of your gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort your baby is completely oblivious to and unaffected by it.

CAUSE OF SYMPTOM

• Although heartburn and indigestion can have the same cause, usually over-indulgence, when you are pregnant as when you're not pregnant there are more reasons why it can occur during pregnancy.
• Early in pregnancy your body produces large amounts of the hormones progesterone and relaxin,these hormones relax smooth muscle tissue everywhere in the body, importantly including the gastrointestinal tract. This results in food moving more slowly through your digestive system which results in bloating and indigestion. Indigestion is extremely painful for you but the slowing down of digestion is beneficial to your baby as it allows better absorption of nutrients into your bloodstream which travel through the placenta into your baby.
• Heartburn occurs when the ring of muscle that separates the oesophagus from the stomach relaxes and allows food and harsh digestive juices to back up from the stomach to the oesophagus. The stomach acids irritate the sensitive lining of the oesophagus which causes a burning sensation right around where the heart is which we refer to as heartburn.
• Heartburn and indigestion can worsen in the second and third trimesters due to your growing uterus as it presses up on your stomach.

TREATMENT OF HEARTBURN AND INDIGESTION

Indigestion and heartburn are one of the less pleasant facts of pregnancy and it is nearly impossible to have an indigestion and heartburn free pregnancy, below are some tips which may help you to lesson your indigestion and heartburn attacks.

• Avoid wearing clothes which are tight around your waist and abdomen.
• Try to avoid gaining too much unneeded extra weight; excess weight puts excess pressure on the stomach.
• Eat six small meals a day instead of three large ones.
• Eat your meals slowly, taking small mouthfuls and chewing thoroughly.
• Do not eat a large meal just before you go to bed, try to stay upright for several hours after eating.
• Do not smoke.
• Any foods in your diet which you notice cause you extreme heartburn and indigestion attacks avoid and try to eliminate completely. The most common foods which can cause heartburn and indigestion attacks are: hot and highly seasoned foods; fried or fatty foods; processed meats eg. hot dogs, sausage, bacon; chocolate, coffee, alcohol, carbonated drinks; spearmint and peppermint.
• Bend at the knees instead of bending over at the waist.
• Sleep with your head elevated about 15cm, laying on your left side may also help.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend an antacid or other over-the-counter medication that is safe to take during pregnancy. If you're having difficulty in consuming your calcium requirements you may decide to take a calcium-containing antacid such as Bisodol or Gaviscon.Avoid antacids containing sodium or sodium bicarbonate.
• A glass of milk before bedtime may help avoid a heartburn attack whilst in bed.

Pregnancy Symptoms Heartburn + Indigestion