Heartburn During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, and Relief Tips

In short: Heartburn is a burning feeling under the breastbone caused by stomach acid flowing back into the gullet, and is common in pregnancy. To prevent it: avoid tight clothing, eat small frequent meals, wait two hours after eating before lying down or exercising, and raise your head when you sleep. Chamomile, yoghurt and almonds help some women; ask your doctor if the symptoms continue.

What Is Heartburn?

Heartburn is a painful, burning sensation in the esophagus, felt behind the breast bone. It usually happens along with regurgitation of stomach acid, a condition known as gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is a very common complaint during pregnancy, and while uncomfortable, it is usually manageable with a few simple changes.

The burning pain typically starts in the chest and may spread up to the neck, throat, and jaw.

According to medical experts, heartburn is one of the key symptoms of GERD. If left unmanaged over a long period of time, it may occasionally lead to irritation or lesions in the esophagus lining due to repeated acid exposure. Heartburn affects up to 8 in 10 pregnant women at some point, especially in the last three months, so if you’re struggling with heartburn during pregnancy, you are certainly not alone. It usually goes away after the baby is born.

Symptoms of Heartburn during Pregnancy:

• • Burning feeling.
• • Sense of pressure in chest.
• • Burping.
• • Sour taste in the mouth.
• • Chronic cough.
• • Sore throat.

Prevention and Management of Heartburn in Pregnancy:

• • Life style management.
• • Food and drink.

Lifestyle Changes to Help Relieve Heartburn:

• • Avoid tight clothes, tight belts.
• • Avoid stressful life.
• • [Aim for healthy weight gain during pregnancy (dieting to lose weight is not recommended while pregnant).
• • Chewing gum can increase the saliva production which neutralizes the acid.
• • Drink a lot of water after exercise.
• • Trace what activities make you heart burns and avoid them.
• • Wait at least 2-3 hours after your meal before sleeping.
• • Wait at least 2 hours after your meal before exercise.
• • Avoid smoking because it relaxes the esophageal sphincter and lead to reflux.
• • Try to raise the pillow and the head of the bed.
• • Bend with your knees, not your waist

Changing your meals to help in relieving Heartburn during Pregnancy:

• • Limit acidic food like grape fruit, oranges, tomatoes, vinegar.

• • Limit or even stop eating pepper, chilies and spicy foods.
• • Avoid greasy food. * * Reflux can be reduced by cutting down on chocolate, mint, citrus, tomatoes, pepper, vinegar, mustard, caffeine (keep it under 200 mg a day, about 2 cups of instant coffee) and carbonated drinks. Alcohol should be avoided completely during pregnancy.
• • Reduce the size of the meal
• • Eat slowly.
• • Avoid snacks at bed time.
• • Chamomile tea can prevent heart burn.
• • Peppermint tea can prevent heart burn, but at the same time can relax the esophagus sphincter and lead to reflux.
• • Avoid using baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in water as a home remedy during pregnancy, because it contains a lot of salt and can upset your body’s chemical balance.
• • Ginger can help you.
• • Celery consummation is good for the pregnancy.
• • Raw almond are very good.
• • Pickle juice can help you.
• • Pineapple can help you
• • Yoghurts consummation is good for the pregnancy.
• • Milk can temporary buffer and the secretion of the acid, so it is not that great for heart burn.

Conclusion:

All of the above mentioned foods and drinks can help some pregnant women but not everyone, so it is best to notice what triggers your heartburn personally and try to avoid it.

If these changes are not enough, antacids or alginate medicines (such as Gaviscon) can be used safely during pregnancy – take them at least 2 hours apart from iron tablets. If heartburn persists, your doctor can prescribe acid-reducing medicines such as famotidine or omeprazole, which are considered safe in pregnancy. If your heartburn is severe, persistent, or affecting your daily life, it’s worth discussing it with your obstetrician for further guidance and reassurance.

After 20 weeks, if what feels like heartburn is a pain under the ribs (especially on the right side) that does not settle with antacids, or comes with headache, blurred vision or sudden swelling, seek medical care the same day, as it can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist