What is the treatment for heartburn during pregnancy? It is one of the most common questions from pregnant women, especially in the last third of pregnancy.
Feeling heartburn and chest burning are among the most common symptoms that occur during pregnancy.
Where acid reflux occurs, stomach acid leaks from the stomach into the esophagus.
This causes what is called heartburn, which is an uncomfortable and burning sensation in the chest.
The cause of heartburn and acidity in the stomach may be the increase in the level of progesterone during pregnancy.
In addition, as the uterus grows in size over the months, it puts pressure on the stomach.
So pregnant women are especially vulnerable to acid reflux and heartburn.
Follow the article for more details about treating heartburn for pregnant women.
Heartburn treatment for pregnant women
First, before using any medications, the doctor may advise you to change your diet and lifestyle.
Which pregnant women follow to relieve the symptoms of heartburn.
Changing the diet is sufficient and effective in many cases.
But in some cases, these changes have not worked.
Therefore, the doctor resorts to treating heartburn using medications to control the symptoms.
Therefore, there are several safe and effective ways to treat heartburn in pregnant women.
They include the following:
Treatment with medications
There are three types of medications that are widely used in treating heartburn in pregnant women.
Among them are the following:
Oral antacids
Medications for indigestion and acidity during pregnancy include antacids and alginates.
Antacids neutralize stomach acid in pregnant women, reducing irritation of the mucous membrane in the digestive system.
This leads to immediate relief of the symptoms experienced by the pregnant woman.
Therefore, antacids that contain medications are considered safe for use during pregnancy and do not require a prescription.
They include the following:
Tums
Mylanta
Rolaids
Maalox
As for alginates, they work to relieve indigestion caused by acid reflux.
By preventing acid in the stomach from returning to the esophagus.
It is also worth noting that you should not take iron supplements with antacids at the same time.
Antacids can prevent the body from absorbing iron.
Medications to reduce stomach acid
These medications are considered the second way to treat heartburn in pregnant women.
These medications help inhibit acid production in the stomach.
This reduces the amount of acid available in the pregnant woman’s stomach, which can reflux up, causing irritation of the esophagus and a burning sensation.
Among them are the following:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
like:
OMEPRAZOLE
Esomeprazole (ESOMEPRAZOLE)
It is one of the most widely used medications in this group during pregnancy, but it must be under the advice of a doctor.
H2 histamine receptor blockers
These medications help reduce stomach acids.
Although most of the medications in this group are considered safe during pregnancy and effective in treating heartburn.
However, it is necessary to avoid using it in the first three months of pregnancy.
Therefore, medications permitted for pregnant women from this group include the following:
FAMOTIDINE
Cimetidine
While Ranitidine cannot be used.
Because it contains a substance that may increase the risk of cancer, its use has recently been banned.
Treatment of heartburn for pregnant women at home
There are some foods, drinks, and herbs that can relieve the feeling of heartburn in a pregnant woman's stomach.
The most important of them are the following:
Almonds
Eating a few almonds after every meal reduces or prevents heartburn.
This is because almonds neutralize the acids found in stomach juices.
Papaya
Eating papaya fruit and pineapple, whether fresh or dried, helps.
Helps relieve heartburn symptoms in some pregnant women.
It also helps reduce the chances of heartburn.
the milk
Drinking milk can relieve heartburn.
This is done by drinking a cup of milk with a tablespoon of honey.
Yogurt
Due to the presence of probiotics, along with its soothing texture, yogurt is a great choice for quenching heartburn and heartburn.
Sugar-free gum
Chewing sugar-free gum after meals may help reduce heartburn.
It causes increased secretion of saliva and its neutralization of acids in the esophagus, which reduces the burning sensation.
Treatment of heartburn for pregnant women with herbs
Ginger
It is a good remedy for treating upset stomach, so it is useful for fighting heartburn and heartburn as well.
It can also reduce inflammation and prevent stomach acid from reaching the esophagus.
Chamomile tea
Drinking chamomile tea with some honey is effective for heartburn.
But if you suffer from insomnia, drinking too much chamomile tea may make falling asleep more difficult.
Boiled basil
Basil contains methane, which helps relax the stomach muscles.
Apple cider vinegar with water
A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with about 250 ml of water may help treat heartburn in pregnant women.
Tips to prevent heartburn for pregnant women
There are several methods and lifestyle changes that can help you reduce your chances of developing heartburn.
The most important of them are the following:
- Avoid foods that cause heartburn
Which stimulates acidity that contains acidic foods that are spicy, rich in spices, or fried or fatty foods.
Avoid drinking fluids while eating.
This is because mixing too much fluid with too much food causes stomach bloating, which leads to heartburn.
- Stop eating immediately before bed, as the last large meal should be at least two hours before bedtime.
There is no harm in eating a snack before bed, as long as it is light and easy to digest.
- Divide a pregnant woman's food into three basic meals, including small meals.
- Sit upright when eating, as gravity helps keep the food inside the stomach and does not allow it to return.
- Consume large amounts of fluids. You must drink large amounts of water, at least eight to ten cups per day.
- Make sure to eat liquid or semi-liquid foods such as: Soups, juices, as well as protein-rich liquids such as milk and yogurt, and reducing the amount of solid foods, in order to avoid digestive problems.
- Pregnant women should eat meals slowly, as eating quickly causes the risk of acid reflux.
- It is preferable to sleep on your left side, because lying on your right side will place your stomach higher than your esophagus, which may lead to acidity.
- Avoid smoking, and also abstain from drinking alcohol.
- Always try to relax, because stress and tension cause stomach disorders.
So being calm and relaxed can relieve heartburn.
- Wear loose clothing, without being restricted in tight clothing, especially during pregnancy.
Conclusion
Treating heartburn for pregnant women is inevitable, because the occurrence of heartburn throughout pregnancy is a common and obvious symptom.
Therefore, a pregnant woman's feeling of burning in the stomach is a painful and annoying feeling.
But she can follow some methods to prevent and alleviate the symptoms of heartburn during pregnancy.
It may include interest in changing one's dietary pattern and paying good attention to food.
Including avoiding foods that cause heartburn and stimulate acidity.
By dividing meals into several small meals and following a healthy lifestyle.
Heartburn in pregnant women can also be treated with some medications, such as antacids.
And medications that reduce stomach acid, but preferably after consulting a doctor.
Therefore, if symptoms of acidity persist, with stomach pain, difficulty eating, and continuous vomiting.
You must visit a doctor to follow up on the matter and prescribe safe and appropriate treatment for your health and the health of your fetus.