Heartburn During Pregnancy - A Few Tips and Suggestions

Heartburn is a very common problem during pregnancy. Over half of all pregnant women will experience it at some point during their pregnancy. It becomes especially problematic during the third trimester when the baby is growing rapidly and putting a lot of pressure on your stomach. What happens is that the pressure your baby exerts on your stomach forces food and stomach acid out of your stomach and up your throat.

The hormones of pregnancy are also a large factor in causing pregnancy related indigestion. These hormones can relax the smooth muscles that help keep the acid in your stomach. When these muscles relax, they can let acid escape from your stomach. The main hormone that is responsible for causing distress is progesterone. It is released by the placenta and it is responsible for relaxing the muscles that keep acid reflux at bay.

To reduce acid reflux, you can do a number of things. First, eat small meals slowly. Second, avoid fatty, spicy or fried foods. Third, drink water between meals, rather than during meals. Fourth, never lie down right after eating. Fifth, don't wear belts and instead wear loose clothing. Sixth, avoid carbonated beverages and caffeine. Finally, if these tips don't resolve your indigestion, make sure that you see a doctor.

If you are still having problems, you might also consider taking an antacid. Try to avoid antacids with aluminum. Aluminum may be bad for your baby. Instead look for antacids that contain calcium. Calcium is much better than aluminum and is a mineral that is important to both you and your baby. If possible, avoid prescription antacids, unless they are recommended by your doctor.

There are also a number of foods that you should avoid if you suffer from indigestion. These foods include: citrus fruits, tomatoes, fries, onions, ground beef, Buffalo wings, sour cream, ice cream, spaghetti, coffee, tea, salad dressing, chocolate, chips and donuts. The main thing that most of these foods have in common is that they are acidic, spicy or oily.

Another important thing to do is eat six small meals, rather than three large meals. Large meals, combined with the pressure exerted by your baby, can really put a big strain on your stomach. So eat smaller meals. There is a great tendency for you to binge when you have food cravings caused by pregnancy. While there is no way to completely get rid of these cravings, you can control them. If you don't allow yourself to get too hungry, you are less likely to eat a lot at one sitting.