Acid reflux is quite common in everyone, however, for pregnant women, it’s rather more intense compared to the common heartburn and may become a plague for them.
Heartburn/ or acid reflux torments most pregnant women because progesterone, the hormone that relaxes muscles in pregnancy, also relaxes the stomach valve that keeps acid out of the oesophagus. In addition, the growing uterus crowds the stomach, forcing acid into the oesophagus.
In an Instagram post, Nana Owiti said that she has had to deal with the more intense form of Acid reflux in both her pregnancies. She said:
“I had a terrible heartburn that cost me my sleep at times. The last trimester with my boy was the worst. I would basically avoid food at all cost especially from 3pm just so that I could sleep well at night.”
In her post, she explained how she succeeded to keep the unbearable heartburn at bay. We will look at them as well as other effective ways that have worked for other mom’s.
1. It slowly and mind your portions
Take time and enjoy your meal, don’t eat to finish eat to feel the taste of every ingredient in your food. Take time an chew your food properly, remember you need to chew a single bite 27 times. This will also help you to avoid over eating.
2.Sip liquids
Rather than drinking a big glass of milk with dinner, you may be better off just sipping liquids during meals. Try to get most of your fluid intake by drinking beverages between, rather than during, meals.
3. Sit or stand after a meal
After a meal, take a leisurely walk, do a little housework, sit down and read a book—just don’t lie down, and don’t do anything that requires you to bend over. Both of these activities can help wash acid back up into your esophagus.
4. Don’t eat right before bed
Having a hearty meal and then heading to bed is a recipe for heartburn, trying not to eat for at least three hours before you go to sleep. You should also try to avoid liquids starting a few hours before bedtime.
5. Keep your head and upper chest elevated at night
Many people with acid reflux swear by their “bedges,” wedge-shaped pillows that gently slant your upper body upwards to keep stomach acid where it belongs.
6. Know your triggers
Fat, caffeine, chocolate, citrus—pregnant women with heartburn have been advised to avoid all of the above at one time or another. But what causes reflux in one woman might not be a trigger for another.
7.Wear loose-fitting clothes
Wearing tight clothing is only going to put more pressure on your already crammed abdomen, and could possibly worsen acid reflux.
8. Try ginger
Some women find that ginger—ginger ale or ginger candies, can help ease an upset tummy. This spice can also combat nausea and vomiting, which often go hand-in-hand with heartburn.
Although there’s not much scientific evidence for ginger as a remedy for pregnancy woes, Einarson says, it is safe to consume when you are pregnant.
9. Consider an antacid
If lifestyle changes don’t cut it, over-the-counter antacids may quell your heartburn symptoms.
Antacids containing calcium or magnesium should be safe to take during pregnancy. In fact, the extra calcium in antacids like Tums is good for mom and baby.
But avoid antacids that contain aluminium because it can cause constipation and be toxic at high doses. Steer clear of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as well—it can cause swelling.
10. Discuss H2 blockers
If an antacid isn’t working, it may be time to consider stronger medications.
Your first option will likely be an H2 blocker like Tagamet or Zantac. These drugs suppress stomach-acid production. All four H2 inhibitors on the market are now available without a prescription and considered to be safe during pregnancy. But talk to your doctor before taking them.
“They really work,” says Einarson. “You only have to take one or two a day.”
11. Proton pump inhibitors
If other medications don’t help, there are also proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as Prevacid. These have a more powerful acid-suppressing effect than H2 blockers, and most are available over the counter.
Although PPIs are, in general, safe for pregnant women, animal studies have raised concerns that omeprazole (Prilosec) could harm a developing fetus, Dr. Richter says. “My recommendation to patients would be to avoid that one because there are about five or six out there on the market, with the H2 blockers,” he says. “All of them look to be safe during pregnancy.”
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