Heartburn During Pregnancy
Heartburn during pregnancy is common for most women who are expecting for a baby. Even for women who have never experience it before, they will experience it for the first time when pregnant.
Heartburn is about the digestive system. It comes on when your stomach acid is in contact with the esophagus lining. As the results, burning and irritation sensation will be experienced.
Factors That Cause Heartburn In Pregnancy
1. The Same Factors As Ordinary Heartburn
These include abnormal body functions like an impaired lower esophageal sphincter, abnormal digestive tract motility and many others. If the expectant mother experiences heartburn because of these factors, certainly she must have experienced acid reflux before she got pregnant.
2. Another Factors
- The production of the progesterone hormone
This hormone causes the uterus muscles relax effectively. Besides uterus muscles, other muscles may be affected including the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES opens and closes to admit food into the stomach and prevent stomach acids from refluxing into the esophagus. Progesterone hormone also affects the digestive system, makes it slows when digest food.
- The growing infant inside the uterus
The baby crowding the space in his mother abdominal region especially during the last trimester also causes heartburn. This can force stomach contents through the LES and burning the esophageal lining.
Some Steps to Minimize Heartburn
The first and the best step to minimize heartburn are to eat several small meals throughout the day. Don’t eat big meals. You always can eat more food a couple of hours after your meal. Take your time eating and chew thoroughly.
The next step is to try sleeping with your upper body elevated to avoid reflux. Also, wear loose, comfortable clothing especially around the stomach area.
If your effort to minimize heartburn doesn’t work, remember to consult your medical practitioner before taking some remedies or medication for your health and your baby.
Tags : heartburn during pregnancy, heartburn and pregnancy, heartburn in pregnancy
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