Health

Heartburn during pregnancy. Remedies for heartburn in pregnant women

Pregnancy is a period during which numerous hormonal and even anatomical changes take place in a woman’s body. In this context, certain “complications”, such as back pain, weight gain, and heartburn during pregnancy can be somewhat considered normal. For example, approximately 30-80% of pregnant women experience heartburn during pregnancy, sometimes felt in the form of heartburn during pregnancy. Therefore, this symptom can become quite disturbing, especially when it is associated with recurrent episodes of indigestion, bloating, and nausea. However, there are effective remedies and treatments.

Heartburn during pregnancy – causes and risk factors

Usually, heartburn during pregnancy is caused by the reflux of gastric acid (from the stomach) into the esophagus, which will irritate the esophageal mucosa. During pregnancy, however, this phenomenon is exacerbated for three main reasons, namely:

  • Hormonal changes: during pregnancy, progesterone and estrogen levels increase, and these hormones act on smooth muscles by relaxing them. This effect is also manifested in the lower esophageal sphincter, located at the junction between the stomach and the esophagus. This sphincter acts like a “gate”, which prevents the retrograde reflux of food from the stomach to the esophagus. During pregnancy, this sphincter is much more relaxed, and this facilitates the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus, increasing the risk of heartburn in pregnancy;
  • Enlargement and pressure of the uterus: as the pregnancy progresses, the uterus gradually grows. Therefore, it will put additional pressure on the abdomen, including the stomach, and this forces the gastric contents to go up into the esophagus, increasing the risk of heartburn during pregnancy. For this reason, for example, pregnant women face burns especially in the third trimester of pregnancy, when the fetus and uterus reach their largest dimensions;
  • Digestive changes: hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy also have an impact on digestion. For example, progesterone levels continue to rise throughout pregnancy, which will lead to additional relaxation of smooth muscles, respectively slowing down digestion and also intestinal transit. This increases the risk of heartburn in pregnancy and constipation. Many women face, at the same time, burning in the neck during pregnancy.

These are the main causes that can lead to heartburn during pregnancy. Usually, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) is frequently associated with this symptom. In pregnant women who were previously diagnosed with gastritis, the burns felt are much more severe and much more frequent.

Heartburn during pregnancy – impact on the pregnant woman and the fetus

In general, heartburn during pregnancy is considered harmless, and somewhat normal. However, the sensation felt can vary from mild, with occasional and short-lasting burns, to severe, with frequent and intense episodes that can interfere with sleep and eating. In addition to heartburn during pregnancy, other symptoms may appear, such as:

  • Persistence of a sour or bitter taste in the mouth;
  • A feeling of bloating;
  • Regurgitation of food;
  • Frequent belching.

Regarding when burns appear during pregnancy, there is no general rule, but it is much more likely that they will appear and be more severe during the third trimester of pregnancy. Moreover, heartburn is much more likely to occur during pregnancy during the night, and this could hurt sleep, which will contribute to irritability, fatigue, anxiety, and stress. Less often, women with heartburn during pregnancy may also have episodes of associated nausea and vomiting. Gastric burns do not have a direct impact on the fetus but could affect the mother’s appetite and sleep. Implicitly, the growth and development of the fetus could be affected.

Remedies and treatments for heartburn during pregnancy

There are several remedies for heartburn during pregnancy. The general approach usually involves lifestyle changes, dietary measures, and, in case of particularly severe and difficult-to-manage heartburn during pregnancy, drug treatments. It is important, in the first instance, that the treatments are safe for both the mother and the fetus. As a result, the recommendations of the specialist doctor must always be followed.

Lifestyle changes

  • Adopt a correct position: to limit the risk of heartburn during pregnancy, pregnant women (and not only) should avoid lying down immediately after a meal and, if possible, sleep with their heads slightly elevated, using additional pillows. This position could reduce acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus;
  • Avoid wearing tight clothes: tight clothes put pressure on the abdomen and, therefore, can exacerbate reflux, increasing the risk of heartburn in pregnancy. It is recommended to wear loose clothes, made of elastic materials, which do not additionally compress the abdomen;
  • Avoid smoking: cigarette smoke reduces the pressure in the esophageal sphincter and also increases gastric acidity. Pregnant women must avoid smoking (passive and active), because it increases the risk of heartburn during pregnancy and can have a negative impact on the fetus.

Dietary changes

  • Small and frequent meals: women who face heartburn during pregnancy should have 5-6 small meals a day, instead of three large meals. This reduces the risk of excess pressure on the stomach and prevents acid reflux that leads to heartburn in pregnancy;
  • Limiting the consumption of certain foods: there are foods whose consumption increases the risk of heartburn during pregnancy, such as fried, spicy, fatty, spicy foods, but also coffee, chocolate, and carbonated drinks. A food diary should be kept in which those foods whose consumption led to the exacerbation of the burn symptoms will be noted;
  • Consuming alkaline foods: foods with a more alkaline pH (bananas, cantaloupe, and skimmed milk) can help neutralize stomach acid.

Natural treatments for heartburn during pregnancy

  • Ginger tea (or capsules) has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce nausea and heartburn during pregnancy;
  • Peppermint tea has a calming effect on the gastrointestinal tract. However, in some people it can worsen the reflux, which is why it is recommended to consume with caution;
  • The natural aloe vera juice has soothing properties on the digestive mucosa, being particularly effective in soothing the feeling of heartburn during pregnancy. The consumed product must not be processed and must not contain anthraquinones, which can cause diarrhea and cramps.

A current widespread practice is the administration of sodium bicarbonate for heartburn during pregnancy. Oral sodium bicarbonate should not be used as an antacid during pregnancy or even during breastfeeding due to the risk of fluid retention as a result of high sodium intake and possible associated complications.

Drug treatment for heartburn during pregnancy

In more severe cases, pills for burns during pregnancy can also be administered:

  • Antacids: magnesium or aluminum hydroxide, calcium, and magnesium carbonate. As mentioned, antacids containing sodium bicarbonate should be avoided;
  • H2 receptor antagonists;
  • Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs);

Medicinal treatments are followed only by the recommendations of the specialist doctor.

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