Pregnant women with heartburn
Release time : 08/23/2025 09:30:04
Pregnancy can be tough, with nausea and acid reflux making it a living nightmare. The burning sensation in the throat is actually caused by hormonal changes and physiological shifts within the body, often extending from the bottom of the sternum to the lower part of the throat.
The cause of heartburn, which is related to esophageal reflux, increases with the gestational age.
Pregnant women experiencing heartburn often find it unbearable. One tearfully asks, "Is there any medication I can take to alleviate this discomfort?" Mg and Ca-containing over-the-counter anti-acid medications may help alleviate the stomach discomfort, but they must be taken under the guidance of a doctor.
Additionally, it's advisable to abstain from such stimulating beverages as carbonated drinks and alcohol, to ensure a more comfortable pregnancy. What does pregnant nausea mean? Pregnancy-induced nausea refers to the sensation of an intense burning pain in the epigastric area, often accompanied by a feeling of pressure and discomfort that rises from the chestbone towards the throat, resembling the sensation of heartburn.
Pregnant women experience more severe heartburn during certain situations, such as transitioning from sitting to standing or lying down, coughing, and straining during bowel movements. Heartburn is also significantly worsened after consuming spicy or stimulating foods. Additionally, pregnant women often experience symptoms of heartburn including belching, nausea, and a sensation of fullness in the upper middle part of the abdomen.
What is the reason for stomach acid in pregnant women? The sensation of stomach acid in pregnant women is actually caused by gastric acid. Due to changes in endocrine during pregnancy, with the increase in abdominal pressure as pregnancy progresses, gastroesophageal reflux occurs, and gastric acid stimulates the pain receptors in the lower part of the esophagus, causing what is known as "burning" sensation.
During the middle and late stages of pregnancy, increased secretion of progesterone can affect the motility of the esophagus, slowing down the clearance of gastric reflux contents, making acidic substances more likely to irritate the gastric mucosa and cause a burning sensation.
Additionally, the uterus expands during pregnancy, which inevitably impinges upon other organs. The stomach is subject to increased pressure. Coupled with a slower gastric emptying rate, the stomach fluid can remain in the stomach for a long time, refluxing back into the lower esophagus and causing "heartburn."
What to do if pregnant women suffer from heartburn? Firstly, we can start with the diet. Eat less and more in meals, don't eat too much at once, pay attention to chewing slowly, so as not to cause high pressure in the stomach, lifting the diaphragm, and causing reflux.
The sensation of heartburn is directly related to the stomach, so it's important to take care of your stomach's needs when it comes to food. Certain foods can cause discomfort in the stomach, including acidic and spicy items. Only by properly nourishing the stomach can you truly alleviate the symptoms.
Expectant mothers should wear loose-fitting clothing and avoid clothes that squeeze the waist and abdomen, which can increase pressure on the stomach.
To maintain regular bowel movements and reduce intra-abdominal pressure, it is advisable to elevate the upper body at night. If possible, adjust the height of the bed to raise the upper body by about 10 to 15 degrees, which can also effectively alleviate gastroesophageal reflux. However, using a pillow to elevate the upper body is not recommended, as raising the pillow cannot effectively elevate the entire upper body; instead, it could create a bend in the space between the esophagus and stomach, hindering the smooth flow of food into the stomach and exacerbating symptoms of heartburn.
If the pregnant women are too troubled by heartburn, they can take some alkaline drugs under the doctor's guidance. For example, antacid gel, Lederle, or protective stomach mucosa drugs such as sucralfate and Diletel can relieve burning sensation.
What can pregnant women with heartburn eat to alleviate it? Pregnant women with heartburn caused by stomach acid can benefit from consuming foods that are alkaline. Lilies, carrots, cabbage, chrysanthemum, cabbage, kale, hericium erinaceus, black fungus, wild mustard, and white fungus can neutralize stomach acid. Warm-natured alkaline foods such as Chinese yam, green onion, and pumpkin are also suitable for consumption during pregnancy.
Expectant mothers can eat peanuts, which contain high protein and fat, to alleviate the reaction of acid reflux.
Some medications can also alleviate heartburn, such as aluminum hydroxide gel, Levophed, or drugs that protect the gastric mucosa, such as sucralfate and Dilave. However, it is best not to take medication during the later stages of pregnancy, listen to the doctor's advice, and avoid self-medication.
Can heartburn during pregnancy affect the baby? Heartburn during pregnancy does not affect the fetus. This is a normal and common phenomenon caused by changes in hormone levels during pregnancy and uterine activity. The sensation of heartburn only affects the mother, so there is no need to worry about the baby.
However, pregnant women experiencing heartburn should also rule out gastric diseases as the cause of their symptoms, as individuals with excessive stomach acid may also experience heartburn. If this condition affects digestion and appetite, it could potentially impact fetal health development.
The medical part covered in this article is for reading and reference only.
If you feel unwell, it is recommended to seek medical treatment immediately, based on offline face-to-face diagnosis, medical diagnosis and treatment.