How To Reduce Stomach Acid In Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, it is not uncommon for heartburn to be added to the typical ailments of this stage of life. Even if you’ve never suffered from it before, it’s not uncommon to have to deal with stomach acid in pregnancy, especially starting in the second trimester.
Below we explain what are the causes of this annoying acidity and how to mitigate it.
Stomach acidity in pregnancy
Heartburn, or stomach acid in pregnancy, can be one of the results of the numerous hormonal changes that the female body undergoes.
We explain ourselves better.
The placenta, the organ that protects the fetus from conception, produces progesterone.
Progesterone relaxes the esophageal sphincter, a kind of valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach.
The weakening of this part of the organism causes the esophagus to receive remains of food and gastric acids, which would normally remain in the stomach; consequently, the pregnant woman experiences this unpleasant acidity.
In medical terms, this disorder is known as gastroesophageal reflux.
Another cause of acidity in pregnancy is the growth of the fetus.
As the weeks pass, the baby continues to grow until it occupies considerable space within the abdominal region.
The uterus, which gets bigger and bigger, puts pressure on the other organs, including the stomach. It is this pressure that causes gastric juices to rise up into the esophagus.
Tips for reducing stomach acid in pregnancy
Often, stomach acid in pregnancy is impossible to get rid of.
However, there are some tips we can give you to reduce and, in some cases, completely eliminate stomach acid.
Drink and eat
During gestation, digestion slows down; for this reason, one should not overeat in eating. The best thing is to eat several times a day in a healthy and moderate way.
Drink plenty of water, but not with meals. Being pregnant, you will need to eat better than ever. Drinking plenty of water while you eat will only fill you up, causing your stomach to dilate further and causing gastric juices to rise up into the esophagus.
If you are pregnant, we advise you to avoid:
- Fizzy drinks
- Excessive consumption of citrus fruits and acidic foods (lemons, grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, vinegar, spicy sauces, pepper)
- Caffeine (found in coffee, black and green tea, chocolate, coffee and chocolate ice creams, and kola nut derivatives, such as cola drinks)
To sleep
If sleeping with the trunk slightly raised is not a problem, try to always lie down in this way, especially at night, when you spend several hours in a horizontal position. You can use several pillows to support yourself, or, if possible, raise the headboard.
This will prevent reflux from reaching the esophagus and causing heartburn while you sleep. It will be the force of gravity that will keep them in place.
Antacids
On the market there are an infinite number of medicines for free sale or with a prescription that are used against acidity.
Whether it is one or the other, no one is recommended unless it has been approved by your gynecologist first. If you need to take an antacid, first consult your doctor to tell you which one to buy. In this delicate stage of your life, you absolutely must not resort to self-medication.
Smoking and alcohol
Another important thing: never drink and never smoke. Forbidden due to all the inconveniences they cause to your health and the development of the fetus, alcohol and nicotine also contribute to the increase in acidity.
Movements
Do not lean your body forward after eating. If you have to pick something up from the floor, we recommend that you bend your legs and squat down.
If you feel drowsy after meals, do not go to bed immediately after leaving the table. Walk around the house for a while, sit down to converse… In any case, stay upright to allow some time for digestion.
