Is My Baby A Pyro: What Can Pregnant Women Take For Heartburn?

What can pregnant women take for heartburn? Let me say this first, contact your OB or doctor for specific products you can take for heartburn! Below I will delve into what you can do, at the core, to prevent or calm this fire.

When I say core, I mean what is the root cause for why you are even having heartburn. Don’t just cover it up with meds, try to prevent it!

To begin, did you know that over half of all pregnant women report symptoms of not only mild, not only moderate, but of severe heartburn during their pregnancy (particularly during the second and third trimester, so at around the same time you can no longer bear witness to your gorgeous pedicure)?

This pleasant burning sensation is the result of – you guessed it – yet another hormone change in your ever changing beautiful bod.

Because of the changing hormone levels, the muscles of your digestive tract change.

This also means that the foods you once loved may be no bueno during those last few months of pregnancy.

Having an enlarged uterus with a case of the babies which is pressing on your digestive tract also doesn’t help.

How Can I Stop The Sizzling Inferno?

Pregnancy delivers a number of hot new mom curves, but no one wants to take that heat inside.

If you are suffering from heart burn, here’s what you first have to do:

Stop Eating/Drinking These Foods Immediately

There are certain foods and drinks which can cause your heartburn to act up.

The most common offenders:

• Citrus foods (if you really love citrus fruits, try a low-acid OJ)
• Coffee (the jury’s still out on whether or not it is okay to drink this while pregnant, but we aren’t judging)
• Soda and other sugary drinks (juice may make it on the list here)
• Fatty foods (We know, we know…)
• Chocolate (WE KNOW)

image credit: MomJunction

Eat More In Smaller Quantities

This one shouldn’t be too hard.

Given the fact that you already have limited time to eat, eating smaller amounts is usually pretty easy for new moms.

What isn’t easy is getting something which is healthy and won’t cause heartburn.

Kindly request that your partner prepare a couple of meals in advance for you and freeze half (you’ll remember to defrost them during a 4am feed when necessary).

That way you always have healthy and heartburn friendly meals on deck.

Don’t Drink A Lot Of Liquids

Drinking large amounts of liquids is suspected to be a cause for acid reflux for pregnant women.

Sip your drink, take it slow, and savour every minute of being pregnant.

Limit The Spicy And Avoid The Fried

Fried food ain’t good for you anyway, but those who love to add a touch of “heat” to their meals need to tread carefully.

Put down the Sriracha, the Tabasco and the hot sauce – or do yourself a favor and use it in minimal quantities.

image credit: Dr. Axe

Be Loose

Chances are you aren’t exactly into tight clothes at this point in your pregnancy anyway.

But, just in case you are, ditch ’em.

Now is your time to shine, and you will shine in yoga pants and a loose tank or tee.

Don’t Lie Down After Meals! Or When You Do…

If you have heartburn, then lying down will almost undoubtedly result in “the burn”.

Stay upright for at least an hour (as if your over-active toddler would even let you, right?) and, if you still have heartburn when laying in bed, take care to keep the head of your bed higher than the foot of the bed.

You can pile pillows under your shoulders to help keep those nasty stomach acids from wreaking havoc on your esophagus.

Seek Medication If All Your Efforts to Prevent Have Failed

You’ve tried everything. You’ve suffered for weeks. Nothing is working.

Most doctors agree that Tums and Maalox are fine to take (though do check with your doctor before taking these over the counter medications) and these may be able to cure what ails you.

But if not, there are other heartburn alternatives (such as liquid form alternatives) which may be more effective.

Can’t I Just Drink Milk?

Whoever started this myth is a real @$$hole.

Drinking milk or cream is not a good heartburn remedy and it will not help you reduce your heartburn.

Or, let’s rephrase this: it’ll work at first but then it will increase acid production which will only make your symptoms worse.

Do you want that?

Probably not.

So ditch the milk.

image credit: howtotreatheartburn.com

Heartburn Can Be Controlled

Unlike an uncontrollable brushfire, the burning sensation you are suffering can be managed.

• Watch what you eat (no spicy, fried and sugary foods)
• Eat and drink in smaller quantities
• Wear non-restrictive clothing and don’t lie down after meals
• Seek medication when all else fails
• Milk will fail

Pregnancy is difficult, but heartburn does not need to be part of it.

Follow these tips and you’ll be living burn-free.

References:

http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/heartburn-during-pregnancy
http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/video/overeating-acid-reflux
http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/is-it-safe/can-you-drink-coffee-when-pregnant/
http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/stages/3rd-trimester-health/heartburn-causing-foods/