Heartburn is very common during pregnancy. In fact, more than half of pregnant women reported experiencing severe heartburn symptoms during the second and third trimesters. Heartburn or heartburn and burning in the chest area occurs due to acid reflux into the esophagus. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid levels are already high, combined with wrong eating habits.
When the uterus enlarges, the pressure on the stomach can be increased. Pressure is then made up stomach acid up into the esophagus. But usually the risk of heartburn experienced by those who did have gastric acid which is already high. Therefore, heartburn typically occurs when the pregnancy is the third trimester. That's when the uterus was large enough and capable of providing pressure on the organs in the abdominal cavity and chest.
In addition to the stomach, pressure from the enlarging uterus may also increase the risk of other diseases such as urinary incontinence. This happens because the uterus presses the bladder so it is difficult for pregnant women to hold urination.
To reduce the risk of heartburn during pregnancy, it is advisable to maintain a diet and mealtimes. Eat a little but often, namely every one or two hours, do not let an empty stomach. In addition, pregnant women with the risk of heartburn also need to avoid foods that can trigger stomach acid, such as spicy foods, acidic, contains coconut milk, and high fat. These foods, it is difficult to digest the stomach that triggers the production of stomach acid increases.
That condition is not without risk. Dr. Manny Alvarez (obstetrics expert) said, heartburn can interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients such as iron are essential for pregnancy because it can increase the production of hemoglobin that helps carry oxygen to the fetus. Therefore, heartburn should not be ignored, but need to be treated. However, pregnancy is a crucial period, so not all treatments are safe for consumption. So how to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy?
Alvarez explains, there are two treatment of heartburn, acid neutralizing first and the second decrease acid production. According to him, both are safe to eat as long as it is not excessive. Alvarez but rather suggest the drug is only used as a complement to the efforts as follows:
- The consumption of almonds
- Drinking coconut water or ginger tea
- Consumption of apple cider vinegar
- Sit or stand up after a meal
- Position the head higher when lying down
- Avoid heartburn trigger foods such as spicy and fatty foods.
Heartburn during pregnancy is also caused by changes in hormone levels. An increase in the hormone progesterone makes the digestive system relax so easily rise of stomach acid into the esophagus.
