Have you suffered a heartburn during your pregnancy? How did you treat it? For those who do not know what heartburn is, it is a sort of irritation or acid indigestion, that results in a burning sensation of the esophagus and the throat. A phenomenon common to humans, most women in their second or third trimesters have reported suffering from acid indigestion.
Heartburn in pregnant women happens because of the change in hormonal levels which impacts the muscles of the digestive tract and the treatment of the varied food. Hormones in pregnant women can lead to lower esophageal sphincter (the muscular valve between the stomach and esophagus) to relax, allowing stomach acids to reflux into the esophagus. Also, the enlarged uterus can crowd the abdomen, pushing stomach acids upward. Awhile these are some certain cases; there are rare occurrences when gallstones cause heartburn during pregnancy.
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There are certain foods which should be avoided during pregnancy:#1. Citrus Foods
Food including fruits like oranges, grape fruits and vegetables like tomatoes can bring on the burning sensation after your meals. A viable solution to this is eating tomatoes on a turkey sandwich instead putting in a salad. Also, give a try to low acidic orange juice once you’ve had your morning routinary cereal.
#2. Coffee and Soda
Caffeinated drinks are widely known for acidic triggers. A sound solution to this could be limiting your intake of these beverages. You must ensure that you eat something before sipping them or simply ask for decaf versions before consuming aerated drinks.
#3. Alcohol
The solution to having a great pregnancy is to avoid the intake of alcohol. Forget alcohol and stay happy!
#4. Avoid Fatty Foods
The foods that take way too long to digest are fried and fatty food. Also, they make it easier for the acids of stomach and food to reflux back into the esophagus, therefore, resulting in a burning sensation.
#5. Satiating Chocolates
Don’t stop eating chocolates! Just put a restraint on your intake by just gobbling down a drizzle of chocolate sauce or only two to three squares of the chocolate bar.
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Also, try the following things to avoid the burning sensation without harming your baby:
#1. Never starve yourself! Instead, eat small meals at regular intervals to prevent this disgusting problem.
#2. Your parents and grandparents must have told you this over and again! And we all have avoided doing this because of our active lifestyles. EAT SLOWLY! Remember, your stomach has no teeth; it’s you who has to chew and eat slowly for your food to get digested.
#3. Avoid spicy, rich in fat food that could increase heart burn or lead to it.
#4. Drink less of water while eating. Drinking huge amounts of water result in acid reflux and heartburn.
#5. Walk for a while after eating. Do not lie not straight after having your last meal. Remember, digestion process slows down during the night. So be cautious always!
#6. Eat more of fiber imbibed foods to avoid constipation. It is the major cause of heart burn amongst elders.
#7. Avoid wearing tight-fitted clothes. Wear as much loose you can to avoid pressure on your stomach or abdomen.
Is there something we have missed to add to the article? Feel free to tell us about it. Comment on the box below to share your opinions and views!
(Featured Image Courtesy: What To Expect)
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