Pregnancy often leads to women experiencing temporary symptoms or other health conditions. One common experience among pregnant women is heartburn. Although it is a common occurrence during pregnancy, heartburn can still feel uncomfortable every time it happens.
If you are pregnant and often experience heartburn, here is what you should know about its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
What causes heartburn among pregnant women?
In pregnant women, heartburn can be due to changes in hormone levels. These changes can affect muscle movement in your digestive tract, which may lead to stomach acids to go up into the esophagus. It may also be caused by pressure on the stomach as the baby continues to grow in the uterus day by day.
What are the symptoms of heartburn?
Heartburn often comes with symptoms such as:
- Burning feeling in your chest or throat
- Feeling bloated
- Burping
- Sour or bitter taste in the mouth
How can heartburn be treated during pregnancy?
Antacids like aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide and other over-the-counter treatments containing famotidine and calcium carbonate are generally safe for pregnant women experiencing heartburn. However, it is still best to consult your doctor especially if you are taking certain vitamin supplements or medications.
Lifestyle shifts may also help alleviate heartburn symptoms, such as eating small meals throughout the day, sitting upright while eating, keeping your head propped up when you lay down, or sleeping on your left side.
Heartburn may make your pregnancy journey unpleasant especially if it occurs frequently, but there are ways you can do to take control of the situation and make it more manageable for you.
General disclaimer
Your doctor will always be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice for your condition. For suspected undesirable drug reaction, seek medical attention immediately and report to the FDA at www.fda.gov.ph and UNILAB, Inc. at 8-UNILAB-1 or productsafety@unilab.com.ph. Always buy your medicine from your trusted drugstores and retailers.
Sources:
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12011-heartburn-during-pregnancy
- https://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/pregnancy
- https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/indigestion-and-heartburn/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/what-medicines-are-safe-during-pregnancy#heartburn
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582699/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582615/
- https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/features/nighttime-heartburn-sleep-tips
