Most pregnant women suffer from heartburn, indigestion, or acid reflux at some stage. Try these safe home remedies for heartburn during pregnancy – foods to eat & avoid, probiotics, sleep position, chewing gum & more. Our home remedies are easy and effective!
Causes of heartburn during pregnancy
One of the reasons women experience heartburn in pregnancy is due to the absence of the hormone progesterone. Progesterone relaxes the muscles, particularly in the stomach valve. Food swallowed down to the stomach may be slowed down.
Add to that the growing uterus, and you have the danger of back-firing acid to the esophagus. And this creates that burning in your throat. If you wish to minimize heartburn during pregnancy, there are several safe and effective ways. To help ease your potential 9-month ordeal, here are some safe heartburn home remedies for use during pregnancy.
Home remedies for heartburn during pregnancy
1. Eat small portions when pregnant
Pregnant or not, eating three or more huge meals daily can result in heartburn. This is even more so when your uterus is overcrowding your stomach area.
When pregnant and prone to heartburn, do not wait for your stomach to growl; eat 6-7 small portions daily. Don’t consume food 3 hours before bedtime. If you really need to eat just before bedtime, have an unsalted cracker and a small drink of water.
2. Foods that give you heartburn during pregnancy
Aside from portioning your food, it is also essential to choose the right ones to consume. Ditch the spicy, fatty, and oily food. Refrain from drinking caffeinated and carbonated drinks. Chocolates, spicy, citrus, and peppery foods are all likely causes of acid reflux and heartburn. These food weaken the lower esophageal sphincter which usually allow stomach acid to backflow to your esophagus. Find out more about foods that give you heartburn in pregnancy.
3. Foods to eat for pregnancy heartburn
There are also certain kinds of food that prevents heartburn. So when preparing heartburn home remedies during pregnancy, do remember to prioritize these foods on your list: oatmeal, green salad, fennel, chicken, turkey, celery, parsley, couscous and rice.
Fish and seafood are also great options but check for crabs, shrimps, and other seafood allergies.
Fruits such as banana, melon, and pineapple help prevent heartburn, and they help digestion and contain lots of fiber, which is good for preventing constipation.
Almonds are an excellent snack for heartburn sufferers as they have a lower acidity level than other nuts.
Milk can have an instant soothing effect on heartburn, but may make heartburn and acid reflux worse in the long run. Find the right milk for your pregnancy heartburn.
4. Water causing heartburn in pregnancy
We all need to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily to prevent constipation and dehydration, which is even more critical if you’re pregnant. Painful hemorrhoids are an offshoot of constipation. Dehydration makes heartburn worse. But when it comes to fluids, try to drink slowly.
Drink small sips before, during and after your meal. Use a straw to prevent gulping if you need to.
5. Probiotics are easy home remedies for heartburn during pregnancy
Many pregnant women and old-school Moms keep low fat plain organic yogurt in their fridge to reduce that burning feeling. Some moms even call this the antidote of heartburn and morning sickness. By eating a few spoonfuls after a meal, probiotics in yogurt neutralize stomach acids preventing backflow to the esophagus.
Probiotics, it must also be noted, are quite efficient in eliminating “bad bacteria” in one’s gut. If plain yogurt doesn’t suit your taste, go for yogurt-based ice cream which is more palatable, but keep it low fat and low sugar…and only eat small amounts. Find out why you should eat probiotics every day to help prevent heartburn, indigestion and acid reflux.
6. Papaya for heartburn relief during pregnancy
What’s good for babies are most definitely good for Moms-to-be, too. Eat ripe papaya only. Papaya is known to contain potent enzymes that help to soothe stomach woes. Not only is it great for preventing constipation, papaya also help neutralize acidity of stomach.
If possible, go for fresh papaya. Sliced, diced or made into a smoothie—just make sure it’s fresh and eaten after meals. Don’t overeat though. Too much of a good thing can still be bad. Review rule #1.
7. Ginger is a good home remedy for heartburn during pregnancy
Ginger is a well known remedy for upset stomach, nausea and vomiting (the usual culprits during of heartburn, indigestion and acid reflux). It also helps boost the immune system and prevent inflammation. Make your own ginger root tea (or other heartburn soothing tea). Place in a thermos and drink hot or cold after every meal.
8. Chew some gum
Some pregnant working women also swear by the use of sugar free chewing gums. Not only chewing gums relaxes the stomach, it also provides some form of relaxation technique and breathalyzer for them. Its Sorbitol content is also a form of laxative. One study showed that chewing sugar free gum for 30 minutes after a meal reduced heartburn symptoms.
9. Sleep position with heartburn in pregnancy
Do you know that your sleep position can contribute to heartburn in pregnancy? One of the most classic heartburn home remedies during pregnancy revolves around proper positioning when sleeping or napping.
Do make sure to rest or sleep by propping up your head and shoulders ensuring that your upper body is elevated from your lower torso. Leaning on your left side also gives more working room for digestion in your stomach. This method also helps you breathe better. There are special pillows you can try to alleviate reflux symptoms.
10. Diaphragmatic Breathing to Treat Heartburn
This video shows a demonstration of diaphragmatic breathing, which is a breathing exercise proven to reduce the symptoms associated with heartburn, reflux, belching and regurgitation. Using these breathing techniques may reduce your need for medications.
11. Pregnancy-Safe Antacid
Now, if all other heartburn home remedies during pregnancy don’t work, it is high time to visit your doctor. There are OTC antacids like TUMS which can quell those nasty symptoms. These antacids contain magnesium or calcium, which is deemed safe for pregnancy.
The final word on home remedies for heartburn during pregnancy
Being pregnant can be both rewarding and challenging. The joy of having a baby can truly create havoc in your body. To quell your stomach from those nasty vomiting sessions, take these home remedies for heartburn during pregnancy to heart, and hopefully they can help you get through the whole 9 months with ease. And if these heartburn remedies aren’t working for you, please visit your doctor.