Pregnant Women and Acid Reflux Issues to Be aware of.

Many women tend to experience heartburn symptoms when they are still carrying their babies, and this happens for several reasons.

An increase in hormones during pregnancy, is one of the most common factors. This increases the ability of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to be closed, because it softens the ligaments function. As LES relaxes, the tendency is for the gastric acids and ingested foods to reflux back up into the esophagus area and throat.

Another reason they experience heartburn during pregnancy is from the changes occurring within her body as the baby begins to develop and grow, increasing pressure on her stomach. Therefore, the stomach contents are forced right into the LES, and then to the esophagus.

Fortunately, there are several ways pregnant women can help to elevate some of the painful discomforts from acid reflux. The following is some good advice, although this may not remove the heartburn totally.

1. Refrain from foods already known to be causes of heartburn. Examples of this are chocolates, spicy foods, citrus fruits and juices, mustard, tomatoes and tomato based products, fatty foods, fried foods, and highly seasoned dishes. You may also want to consult your physician on what food and beverage items you should or should not be ingesting.

2. Avoid beverages with caffeine in them, such as; coffee, tea and soda. Too much of these will cause the LES to relax and let the acid to return into the esophagus.

3. Stay away from alcohol beverages. Alcohol is similar to caffeine, in respect to how it effects the LES, both will trigger the onset of heartburn.

4. Do not eat large meals. It is suggested that taking numerous small meals throughout the day will be better.

5. Avoid rush when eating your meals. Make sure to chew your food well and take your time when eating, as this will also help cut back on the amount of heartburn you experience.

6. Get plenty of rest a after you eat each meal and do not get involved in any activity that will interfere with your body digestive system.

7. Drink plenty of water through out the day and in fact, women that are pregnant need to not only drink at least eight to ten glasses a day, they should drink them throughout the day. Because if this is the stomach will expand and the LES will be under more pressure causing it to open when it shouldn’t. Therefore, you should keep in mind to only drink water and other fluids between meals.

8. How you sleep is important too, you should arrange your pillows so you sleep around 6 – 10 inches high. You should try to elevate both your head and shoulder areas when sleeping. By doing this, gravity will work to help keep your stomach acids down in the right place, and not up in your esophagus area. Try to consult physicians to gain additional knowledge on how to relieve night time heartburn.

9. Don’t wear tight fitting clothes. If you wear clothes that are too tight around the stomach area, than that can trigger heartburn as well.

10. When bending, do it at the knees, not at the waist. You do not want to put too much pressure on your stomach.

11. Don’t slouch; rather sit erect in a relaxing chair.

12. Maintain a sensible amount of weight, too much weight and fatness will give more stress in your stomach. As a result, this will force stomach contents throughout the LES and to the esophagus. You should always follow your doctors advice on the recommended eating guidelines.

13. Avoid all types of cigarette smoke. Medically speaking the causes of cigarette smoke are very harmful to pregnant women and is one of the known causes for heartburn too. As you follow these tips, you will have a much healthier experience during your pregnancy.

Source: Coffee Tea