Heart burn acidity in pregnancy

During the pregnancy phase, you are bound to run into some problems related to digestion. Food aversion, cravings or morning sickness, are very common in the first trimester. But after these get subsided, and as fetus gets bigger, you might run into other problems such as:

Heartburn and Acidity

The bigger your fetus gets, the more acidity and heartburn becomes a problem, as your growing fetus pushes the stomach acids up to your oesophagus hence, causing a burning sensation.

 There are a few remedies that help with heartburn and acidity in pregnancy:

• Do not leave long gaps between meals.
• Eat smaller but more frequent meals.
• Don’t lie down for at least an hour after eating.

How to relieve from Acidity or Heartburn in Pregnancy?

You may not be able to eliminate them entirely, but there are a few measures you can take for pregnancy heartburn relief:

• Rich, spicy or oily dishes, citrus fruits, chocolates, alcohol and coffee are all known foods to aggravate acidity & cause indigestion. If you feel uncomfortable then avoid these foods for some time.
• Drink water instead of carbonated or fizzy drinks as these are already very acidic.
• Cut down your intake of processed foods and readymade meals, such as tomato ketchup, pickles and chutneys as they contain high levels of salt, additives and preservatives.
• A cup of yogurt or a glass of cold milk is an age-old remedy for acidity and heartburn.
• A cup of ginger tea may also help. Some health and medicine practitioners at times do recommend drinking peppermint tea, to alleviate the symptoms of reflux and heart burn. Always keep in mind peppermint tea or any other herbal teas should always be taken in moderation during pregnancy.
• Always eat small, frequent meals and chew your food properly.
• Long gaps between meals can lead to acidity.
• Drinking large quantities of fluids should be avoided with your meals.
• Always try to finish your dinner about 3-4 hours before you go to bed.
• At times lying down can lead to heartburn, as gravity helps the acids out of your stomach. After a late dinner, try not lying down for at least an hour after eating.
• Most of the antacids are considered safe during pregnancy and are effective at relieving symptoms, up to 50 % of pregnant women having heartburn. Always need to check with your doctor.

If you still are not getting any relief it is best that you consult a Gynecologist.