Lately, I’ve been feeling a terrible burning sensation in my chest after eating. Is it heartburn? Most likely. Many women experience heartburn for the first time during pregnancy, and although it is common and generally harmless, it can be quite uncomfortable.
What is heartburn?
Heartburn (also called acid indigestion or gastroesophageal reflux) is a burning sensation that often extends from the bottom of the sternum to the lower part of the throat and is caused by hormonal and physical changes in your body.
What happens during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, the placenta produces the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the smooth muscles of the uterus. This hormone also relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach, allowing stomach acids to leak upward, causing the unpleasant feeling of heartburn.
Progesterone also slows the wave-like contractions of the esophagus and intestines, making digestion slower. Later in pregnancy, the growing baby increases pressure on the stomach, pushing acids back into the esophagus.
Many women begin to feel heartburn and other gastrointestinal discomforts during the second half of pregnancy.
How to manage it?
- Avoid foods and drinks that cause discomfort, such as alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, and mint-containing products. Also, avoid acidic foods like citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, mustard, and vinegar. Stay away from processed meats, fried foods, fatty foods, and spicy meals.
- Do not eat large meals. Instead, eat several small meals throughout the day. Take your time eating and chew well.
- Avoid drinking large amounts of fluids during meals. (It is important to drink 8–10 glasses of water daily during pregnancy, but drink them between meals.)
- Try chewing gum after eating. Gum stimulates saliva production, and saliva can help neutralize acid.
- Do not eat right before bedtime. Give yourself two to three hours to digest before lying down.
- Sleep with your upper body elevated. Raise the upper part of your body to keep stomach acids where they belong and to aid digestion.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Avoid anything tight around the waist and abdomen.
- Bend at the knees instead of at the waist.
- Do not smoke—aside from its many serious health risks, smoking increases stomach acidity.
If these measures do not help, talk to your doctor about prescription heartburn medications that are safe to use during pregnancy.
