Heartburn is one of the most common side effects of pregnancy. Most women report heartburn at some point, and the condition can sometimes become extremely severe. Although some women who suffer from heartburn during pregnancy do not experience any long-term negative consequences, heartburn can be an indicator of underlying problems.
Therefore, it is important to watch for these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor, and find the causes of the condition.
Many doctors use a questionnaire to identify heartburn, but a more in-depth examination can reveal other issues that need to be treated. Most women do not need to worry about heartburn during pregnancy, but an occasional episode is harmless, and you can take the necessary steps to manage it.
Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and how to manage this condition effectively to avoid gastroesophageal reflux disease.
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Why Heartburn Is Common During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, you are able to pass a lot of food, which can cause an increase in weight. Your digestion changes during pregnancy, and the small intestines can expand up to five times. The pregnancy hormone that regulates your appetite, ghrelin, also increases during pregnancy.
This is a natural response to pregnancy, and it can result in a feeling of hunger for many women. Women’s digestive system is also stimulated to allow the baby to develop and grow. These can all contribute to heartburn during pregnancy.
Symptoms of Heartburn During Pregnancy
The main symptom of heartburn during pregnancy is discomfort in the chest or stomach area. This may be accompanied by burping, bloating, and nausea. The discomfort is often described as burning, burning pain, or a burning sensation. It may feel similar to a heart attack, and your doctor should be contacted as soon as you have it.
Other heartburn symptoms during pregnancy include:
- Nausea and/or vomiting;
- Burping;
- Gas;
- Burning feeling;
- Regurgitation;
- Diarrhea;
- Feeling dizzy;
- Shortness of breath;
- Dizziness;
- Chills;
- Fatigue;
- Other causes of heartburn during pregnancy.
Even if heartburn is common during pregnancy, it does not mean you are experiencing anything serious. However, heartburn during pregnancy can be an indication of other health issues, for example, with the esophageal sphincter and acid reflux. It can also be a side effect of a number of other pregnancy-related problems. Some of these are more severe.
Pregnancy-Related Conditions
Your first trimester is a time when you are eating or drinking less than normal and having small meals. This is normal, and it is called “empty stomach syndrome”. If you experience heartburn during this time, it is due to the stomach’s response to this.
Most women do not have heartburn in the first few months of pregnancy, but heartburn can be common during the second and third trimesters.
Some women who experience heartburn have other stomach problems, such as an ulcer or reflux esophagitis. If these conditions are not treated, heartburn can become worse. If heartburn is severe and occurs with any of the other symptoms of pregnancy, it is important to talk to your doctor.
Stress can also contribute to heartburn. It can result in higher levels of cortisol, which is the hormone that tells the body to be on alert. During pregnancy, the level of cortisol also rises, but it should not be this high. A high cortisol level can be a sign of thyroid dysfunction. Therefore, pregnant women should have their thyroid function evaluated by their doctor.
Other Reasons Heartburn May Occur During Pregnancy
The pregnancy-related hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), has been linked to an increased heartburn risk. Hormones affect the stomach and increase the sensitivity of its cells. The combination of hormones can also cause symptoms to appear sooner.
It also increases the risk of having an ulcer due to the stress of pregnancy. It is known that women who have had a previous ulcer experience a higher chance of having another one. This is more common in the second and third trimesters. Your doctor may recommend having an endoscopy done during your third trimester. This will help you determine whether you have reflux esophagitis.
The symptoms of heartburn can be mistaken for other conditions, especially during the second trimester. Your doctor can also be consulted if you notice other symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting. A medic may also recommend that you have diagnostic tests, including x-rays and an ultrasound, to ensure your health is not compromised.
Symptoms may be subtle, so it is best to look for heartburn early on. It is important to watch for indigestion and heartburn during pregnancy because it can be an indicator of more serious conditions. These issues can also cause other symptoms, including:
- Vaginal bleeding;
- Preterm labor;
- Preterm delivery.
Chronic heartburn during pregnancy may indicate a more serious condition. It is important to look for other symptoms early on. Discuss the condition with your doctor so that you can get the right treatment and prevent heartburn during pregnancy.
Managing Heartburn During Pregnancy
Most women do not experience serious heartburn during pregnancy. However, if the condition is very severe, then properly treating heartburn is essential. Heartburn during pregnancy can often be controlled by using over-the-counter medications.
Your doctor will be able to recommend a medication that can treat heartburn and help you control it. According to experts from motherhoodtips.com, you can also make lifestyle changes to reduce heartburn. Some of these include:
- Developing a habit to eat slowly;
- Cutting back on salt;
- Reducing caffeine intake;
- Staying hydrated;
- Taking a magnesium supplement;
- Drinking warm milk;
- Reducing stress;
- Avoiding spicy foods;
- Using a heartburn medication.
Some women experience only occasional heartburn during pregnancy. This usually occurs during the second and third trimesters. However, others may experience more persistent heartburn.
In some cases, doctors recommend using counter antacids to treat it. These include:
- TUMS – The Tums
- Alza Zantac – Zantac
- Lansoprazole – Prevacid
- Pantoprazole – Prevacid
A tablet may not be enough for your condition or prevent stomach acids from causing a burning sensation, especially if the heartburn is very severe. It is best to contact your doctor for more information on the right dosage of h2 blockers.
Wrapping up!
When you are pregnant, your stomach doesn’t expand like it would for most other women. However, it does get tight, and a good deal of fluid can end up building up in your stomach. This can lead to problems like heartburn and constipation, especially in the later stages of pregnancy.
You will probably be advised to take a few simple precautions to help with heartburn during pregnancy. The most important thing to do is to keep an open mind about your symptoms. Discuss any concerns you have with your doctor. If you have been experiencing heartburn for more than one or two days, you may need to see your doctor.
