Studies indicate that many pregnant women experience acid reflux. Acid reflux, also called heartburn or indigestion, is common in pregnant women and happens due to hormonal changes and the growing fetus pressing the belly. However, it is not a major cause for concern as heartburn can be eased by lifestyle and dietary changes. There are safe medications if need be. Here, you will learn about acid reflux in pregnancy symptoms, causes, home remedies and treatment.
Indigestion symptoms occur when the stomach acids irritate the stomach lining. This leads to a burning feeling or pain. Researchers do not know why acid reflux begins or worsens, but it is studied a few factors play a role in it, which include:
A pregnant woman produces more progesterone than a normal woman. This hormone relaxes the muscle tissue all over the body, especially the uterine tissues, so they can grow and stretch as the fetus enlarges. However, progesterone also relaxes the muscles that connect the stomach and the oesophagus (sphincter muscle). This muscle prevents stomach acid and food from entering the oesophagus and helps enter the stomach. Since the sphincter muscle is loose during pregnancy, the acid moves up the oesophagus, causing acid reflux.
As the pregnancy continues and the uterus and fetus grow, there is more pressure on the belly. This causes the acid to leak into the oesophagus from the stomach. This is more likely to happen after a heavy meal, as the stomach is full.
You are likely to have indigestion and heartburn during pregnancy if:
● You had this problem before you got pregnant
● Had been pregnant before
● Are in the later part of pregnancy
Acid reflux during pregnancy is more likely to happen:
● After a meal or a drink
● When sleeping or lying down
● When bending
The main sign of acid reflux is heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest and may be accompanied by a feeling of fullness or heaviness in the stomach or chest. Other symptoms include:
● Feeling bloated, full or heavy
● Belching or burping
● Being or feeling sick
● Bringing food back up
● Cough
● Sore throat
● Bitter taste
● Vomiting
● Nausea
Acid reflux symptoms happen soon after drinking or eating something. However, sometimes, there may be a delay in indigestion. The symptoms can start anytime during pregnancy but typically increase after 12 weeks.
If symptoms are mild, the best pregnancy acid reflux treatment is lifestyle and dietary changes to control it. Here are some home remedies:
● Eat Healthy: Indigestion can happen when your stomach is full. When you are pregnant, you have urges and cravings that may tempt you to eat more than you usually would. This is not advised for you or the baby. Follow a nutritious diet that is healthy, balanced and satiating. Eat smaller meals instead of big meals, and avoid fried or spicy foods that trigger indigestion.
● Change drinking and eating habits: Eating well can help control indigestion. Eat small meals instead of three large meals a day. Do not eat a few hours before bedtime, as that can cause heartburn. Do not lie down immediately after eating; instead, sit straight or take a stroll, as this eases the pressure from your stomach. Avoid fatty and rich foods and reduce your intake of drinks with caffeine to reduce symptoms.
● Sleeping position: Prop your shoulders and head up when you sleep to prevent the stomach acids from backing up when you lie down. Sleep on your side, or use a wedge pillow to prop yourself up at sleep.
● Quit smoking: Smoking during pregnancy is not advised as it can seriously affect the baby’s health as well as yours. Plus, it can also lead to indigestion. When you smoke, the chemicals you inhale contribute to acid reflux. These chemicals relax the gullet muscles and allow the acid to move up easily, leading to acid reflux. Smoking, apart from causing heartburn, also puts the baby at risk of:
○ Premature birth (<37 weeks of pregnancy)
○ Low birth weight
○ SIDS (Sudden infant death syndrome)
● Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol consumption can also lead to indigestion during pregnancy. Additionally, it can also cause long-term complications to the fetus. So, it is safest to avoid alcohol during pregnancy.
If the home remedies do not work, consult your doctor before you take medications for acid reflux during pregnancy. A healthcare provider can advise you on safe medications for you and the baby. Typically, doctors prescribe three types of medicines that are safe to take. These are:
● Oral Antacids: These medicines neutralise stomach acid, making them less acidic. They are made of magnesium, aluminium hydroxide and calcium carbonate. They are available as OTC medicines or through prescription.
● H2-Receptor Antagonists: These medications prevent the stomach from producing excessive acids. They reduce the levels of H2 histamine chemicals that stimulate stomach cells to create stomach acid. H2-receptor antagonists include chemicals like famotidine, cimetidine and available OTC.
● Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): These prevent the stomach from producing excessive acids by blocking the enzymes that produce stomach acids. Examples of PPIs are omeprazole and lansoprazole, which are available as OTCs and through prescription. But remember that PPIs take many days to work, so it is better to try other medicines first.
If you do not get pregnancy heartburn relief after lifestyle and dietary changes, consult your healthcare provider. You should also seek help if you have:
● A cough that keeps coming back or does not subside
● A hoarse voice
● Difficulty swallowing
● Neck glands are swollen
● Swelling or pain in your belly
● Weight loss
Your doctor may ask about the symptoms and examine the chest and stomach to see where it is painful.
An expectant mother should also consult a doctor if the heartburn persists or is severe even after taking medications. Sometimes, pain below the ribs can be mistaken as heartburn pain but may be a sign of preeclampsia. Left without any treatment or monitoring, this condition can be life-threatening to you and the baby. It is essential that you go to all antenatal appointments to ensure your doctor detects any health issues that may come during pregnancy.
Acid reflux is a common occurrence during pregnancy. Typically, the symptoms go away after childbirth. Heartburn in pregnancy remedies include eating smaller meals, wearing loose clothes, avoiding foods that cause heartburn and taking safe medications to treat it. If symptoms persist or are severe, see a doctor, as sometimes they may mimic conditions like preeclampsia.
Eat smaller meals, avoid foods that trigger heartburn and raise your bed by using a pillow to prevent acid reflux during pregnancy.
Burning sensations in the stomach or chest, bloating, burping, hoarse voice or bitter taste in the mouth are common symptoms of acid reflux during pregnancy.
Reduced intake of caffeinated drinks, avoiding fatty, fried or spicy foods, and drinking more water are natural remedies for acid reflux.
No. Mild acid reflux during pregnancy is common and does not harm the baby.
