The problem of increased acidity often worries women even at the stage of pregnancy planning. But, as a rule, heartburn in pregnant women is much more frequent and lasting than that of other women. According to statistics, three out of four expectant mothers suffer permanent heartburn during pregnancy, which appears immediately after a meal, does not last for several hours and can be repeated several times a day.
Heartburn during pregnancy - symptoms
Heartburn is an unpleasant and painful sensation of sugary heat or burning in the lower retrosternal or epigastric region. In pregnancy, heartburn begins when gastric juice is thrown into the lower part of the esophagus, which, in turn, irritates its mucosa and causes unpleasant sensations.
Heartburn during pregnancy - reasons
Heartburn in the early stages of pregnancy can be caused by hormonal changes in the body of a woman. The stomach and esophagus separate the sphincter, which prevents the return of food, however, increased progesterone relaxes the smooth muscles in the body, weakening its functions. It is believed that heartburn in the first days of pregnancy is a sign of an early toxicosis of pregnant women, as a rule, it passes to 13 - 14 weeks.
Heartburn in late pregnancy can be caused by the pressure of the increasing uterus on the woman's stomach, squeezing and lifting it, thereby promoting the release of undigested acidic food from the stomach into the esophagus.
Heartburn at 38 - 39 weeks of pregnancy will be especially painful, as the enlarged uterus gradually filled the entire abdominal cavity, all internal organs are pinched by it, and the intestine and stomach are not able to normally empty.
Heartburn during pregnancy - signs
There is a sign that heartburn during pregnancy indicates that the baby will be born with hair. The folk sign justifies the appearance of heartburn irritation of the internal organs with the hairs on the baby's head. But in practice, she does not find confirmation.
Heartburn and belching during pregnancy
Like heartburn, belching during pregnancy causes a lot of inconvenience to the future mother.
An eructation is a sudden and involuntary discharge from the mouth of a gas that was in the stomach or esophagus. Also, it can leave acid in the oral cavity, which is associated with the release of gastric juice into the lower part of the esophagus. This can be caused by eating large amounts of fatty, fried or spicy food. The main cause of eructation are all the same changes in the hormonal background (increase in the level of progesterone in the blood), an increase in the uterus and its pressure on the abdominal organs or exacerbation of a chronic disease. Like heartburn, it can begin already in the first days of pregnancy.
When does heartburn occur during pregnancy?
So, after examining the main causes of severe heartburn during pregnancy, we came to the conclusion that heartburn is not a pathology or a disease, but a natural painful process in pregnancy, which we have to reconcile.
To slightly ease the pain and the frequency of heartburn in pregnant women, doctors recommend a split meal (at least 5 times a day in small portions), eat more dairy products that neutralize the action of hydrochloric acid, do not eat 2 to 3 hours before sleep and, of course, more rest.