Pregnancy Heartburn Relief: How to Manage Heartburn and Acid Reflux in Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an exciting time as you count down the months, weeks and days to the arrival of your little one.
But it can also be a time of little worries, niggles and gripes – one of them being heartburn.
Be reassured though that heartburn – a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling towards the throat (acid reflux)1 – is common during pregnancy and there are ways to help ease the symptoms.2
It’s said to affect between 30-80% of mums-to-be at some stage3 and can be caused by the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.2
Progesterone levels increase4 causing the valve between the stomach and the oesophagus (the food tube) to relax, allowing stomach acid to pass into the tube.5
Your growing baby pressing against the stomach can make the problem worse.5
Thankfully for the majority of expectant-mum heartburn sufferers, it often disappears soon after the baby is born.3 But until then it can be unpleasant and downright uncomfortable.
What are the symptoms of heartburn during pregnancy?
Symptoms of heartburn include:2- A burning sensation or pain in the chest
- An unpleasant sour taste in the mouth caused by stomach acid
- Burping
- Feeling full, heavy or bloated
- Feeling or being sick
- Bringing up food
It usually occurs soon after eating or drinking – although there can be a delay in the symptoms appearing – and it can happen during any stage of pregnancy, however it tends to be more common from 27 weeks onwards as the baby starts to grow bigger.2
Although it’s natural to be concerned, heartburn doesn’t harm you or the baby but if you are worried it’s best to speak to your midwife or GP.5
References
1 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heartburn-and-acid-reflux/ 2 https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/indigestion-and-heartburn/ 3 https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/dyspepsia-pregnancy-associated/ 4 https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ask-the-expert/babies-children/a9916/heartburn-during-pregnancy/ 5 https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/worries-and-discomforts/common-discomforts/heartburn-indigestion-and-acid-reflux-pregnancy 6 https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/omeprazole/ 7 https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/663/smpcSelf Care Advice
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