Heartburn while pregnant is very common, and most women experience it at sometime during their pregnancy. However, "heartburn" and "indigestion" are often thought to be the same thing, but they are not. You are about to learn the difference in the two and easy remedies for both. Heartburn is a burning feeling in the throat and chest. Heartburn does not mean that something is wrong with your heart. Pregnancy hormones, which relax the muscle valve between your stomach and esophagus, are the main causes of heartburn. When the valve does not close, stomach acid leaks into the esophagus. As your uterus grows, it presses up against your stomach. Indigestion is what happens when a sluggish stomach takes hours to empty. You feel full, bloated and gassy.
Here is some easy remedies to help you with your heartburn:
1. Eat six smalls means a day instead of less meals with larger amounts of food.
2. Eat slowly and chew your food well.
3. Don't drink a lot of liquid with your meals, instead, drink fluids in between meals.
4. Do not eat fried, greasy and fatty foods.
5. Avoid foods that bother your stomach. If heartburn is a problem, then avoid citrus fruits or juices, and spicy and fatty foods.
6. Do not eat or drink within a few hours of going to bed. Do not lay down right after meals either.
7. Raise the head of your bed. Prop a few extra pillows under your shoulders or stick a couple of books or wood blocks under the legs at the head of your bed.
8. Take a walk after meals to promote digestion.
9. Take Tums or another antacid.
Make sure and discuss this with your doctor as well, he or she may recommend an antacid and offer some additional suggestions for relief. As simple as these suggestions may seem, they do work. Heartburn during pregnancy can be very uncomfortable and annoying. Why not try them and see if they don't work for you.
Paula Snyder is mom, business owner and author.
Did you know 90% of what pregnant women fear, can be eliminated by simply keeping themselves informed? Learn not only about heartburn while pregnant, but everything you need to know to lead a healthy lifestyle for you and your baby in my complete pregnancy report.
