Ways to End Acid Reflux in Pregnancy

Ways to End Acid Reflux in Pregnancy

Pregnant women not only undergo the burden of having to deal with enlarged bellies but also to the many hormonal changes that their body undergoes, this in turn result to the sudden cravings that most pregnant women experience. Women’s body adapts to these changes in many ways; as the baby grow inside the stomach are pushed aside to make way and this causes digestive problems such as morning sickness and the abnormal activity of gastric acids.

Acid reflux occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy where the child is already fully developed. As the uterus swells to give space, it pushes through the diaphragm that disturbs the function of the lower esophageal sphincter most commonly known as LES. This serves as the trapdoor to keep the food from being carried up to the esophagus where the food travels from the mouth to the stomach.

There are also cases where a part of the stomach is pushed through the diaphragm causing hiatus hernia which too brings about acid reflux. Pregnant women could have both conditions, and such cases calls for medical intervention. Acid reflux in pregnancy can also be blamed to the hormones such as estrogen and progesterone that circulates to cause the uterus to relax and expand to accommodate the growing fetus. This relaxation of muscle produces the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter to behave in the usual manner which in turn encourages the food to go back up the esophagus and cause constipation to the individual.

Other women suffer acid reflux in more severe ways than others; sometimes the condition includes chest pain which may cause alarm to the pregnant woman. This chest pain is preceded by the contraction of smooth muscles near the heart, because of the proliferation of acid within the stomach and esophagus, which causes it to be mistaken as something like a heart attack.

Few of today’s medicine are safe for the growing fetus inside the body. Most drugs are known teratogens, which means that they are not only harmful to the fetus but also causes damage and abnormality while the baby grows inside the mother’s womb. Therefore, it is important to consider the natural ways of doing away with acid reflux. The first step would be a change in the diet, such may be hard to adapt with but compared to the pain and discomfort of heartburn, every pregnant woman should consider watching those food they eat.

Smoking and caffeine are the most notorious culprits in acid reflux; one should stay away from habits that include these substances.

Ginger also helps in easing away the heartburn aside from eliminating chocolates, dairy products and the like from the diet. A piece of ginger is said to have an effect against the pains of heartburn once it is chewed during certain attacks. Another helpful idea for the pregnant woman is to use pillows in inducing the backflow of the acid from the stomach. It is also important to note that a combination of these tips will provide greater ease and comfort from gastric acids. These options also help the mother from risking the baby to the damages of synthetic substances like medicines.