After having suffered through all those weeks of ‘morning sickness,’ the last thing any pregnant woman wants to go through is another several months of heartburn. Unfortunately, heartburn is common in pregnancy because of all that extra weight you are carrying up front. That tiny baby is causing an upwards pressure on your stomach which may then cause the contents up into the esophagus. Although there are a number of medications on the market, most women try to treat heartburn naturally. Here are some suggestions which have been found effective as well as safe for many pregnant mothers.
Avoid Spicy and Fatty Foods
Although we know that spicy or fatty foods tend to cause heartburn, what many women don’t know is that they also weaken the esophageal sphincter. This allows for foods to come back up more readily, but spicy and fatty foods also tend to be more acidic. Since it is acid that causes the discomfort, you want to avoid foods that cause an excess of stomach acids.
Sleep with Your Head Elevated
Anyone suffering from heartburn should make every effort to sleep with the head elevated. This is true during pregnancy as well. When looking at natural heartburn remedies during pregnancy give this remedy some serious thought. There are wedge-shaped pillows on the market for just this purpose and as you progress through your trimesters you will find that it helps keep you more comfortable as well!
Smaller Meals More Often
Keep in mind that your baby is taking up a lot of room in your midsection so you should try to avoid overeating. Most obstetricians suggest that you eat smaller meals more often throughout the day. This is good, sound advice for anyone suffering from heartburn but it is also an effective remedy during pregnancy as well. Besides helping to relieve heartburn you will feel so much more comfortable not being overly full.
Don’t Nap Directly After Eating
Whether or not you choose to sleep with your head elevated, the worst thing you can do is take a nap directly after eating. Give your stomach time to begin digesting some of that food so that it can work its way down instead of back up again. It is suggested that you try to walk around a bit after eating and wait at least an hour before taking that much needed nap.
Eat Yogurt for Dessert
In recent years there has been a great deal of information in regards to something called probiotics. Yogurt culture is naturally high in probiotics which aid in digestion and keep friendly bacteria at healthy levels in your intestinal tract. Instead of eating a piece of pie or a dish of ice cream for dessert (with or without pickles!) try a nice tasty portion of yogurt. This will go a long way in relieving heartburn during pregnancy.
Papaya and Ginger
One of the oldest Chinese heartburn remedies during pregnancy is ginger, believe it or not! Chinese women have added fresh ginger root to soups and teas for thousands of years and to this day it is one of the most common remedies for heartburn. A nice portion of papaya can help as well since papayas are naturally high in digestive enzymes. The key is to keep foods moving through your digestive system so they aren’t sitting in your stomach waiting to back up into your esophagus. Both ginger and papaya are wonder workers in this regard.
If you are like so many women who would rather go au natural at this happy time, try some of these natural heartburn remedies during pregnancy. You would be surprised at just how far a few lifestyle and dietary changes can go in remedying heartburn. Of course you should discuss any changes with your doctor, but you will find that these suggestions are safe and effective. Give them a try!