Like many women, I never actually experienced heartburn until pregnancy.
And then I experienced it lots. Lots and lots and lots, in fact.
So although, granted, I’ve had two relatively straightforward pregnancies, the horrible discomfort of acid influx has stayed with me long after labour.
At times, it would even keep me up at night – lying down flat on a bed being something of a trigger. Sure I eliminated certain foods and made sure to eat little and often, but truthfully not a lot helped. It was simply a case of waiting until after I gave birth… when it all went away and my digestive system returned to normal.
So what causes heartburn during pregnancy? And what can you do about it? Here is the easy, five-step HerFamily guide to managing it all:
1) What is it?
A feeling of pain or discomfort in your chest or stomach. It usually happens soon after eating or drinking, but some women experience it more often. Most get it in some capacity from the third trimester onward. Plenty of women say that it gets worse on second and subsequent pregnancies.
2) What causes it?
Dyspepsia (the medical name for heartburn) happens when your stomach acid comes into contact with the sensitive, protective lining (mucosa) of your digestive system. The stomach acid breaks down the mucosa, which causes irritation. Pregnant women are susceptible because of hormonal changes that your body goes though and because your growing uterus presses on your stomach.
3) Is it serious?
Usually not – it’s more of an annoyance. However, you should see your GP or midwife if you are pregnant and experience severe or recurring indigestion. If there’s any concern, they’ll examine your chest and stomach, pressing gently on different areas to see what’s painful. In very rare cases, your GP or midwife may refer you to a gastroenterologist.
4) How do I manage it?
You might well be able to cope with simple changes to your diet and eating habits. Otherwise, most indigestion medication is safe to take during pregnancy – although always check with your pharmacist first. Options included the likes or Rennie (tablets) or Gaviscon (liquid and tablets). What works for one woman might not for another.
5) Anything else?
Avoid triggers such as chocolate, caffeine, and fruit juice. Rich, spicy, and fatty foods are unlikely to help either. When you go to bed, use a couple of pillows to prop your head and shoulders up, or raise the head of your bed by putting something underneath the mattress: the slight slope should help prevent stomach acid from moving up into your oesophagus while you are asleep.
