Pregnancy and Heartburns

Filed in archive Medical Issues on September 9, 2008

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Leigh Schindler

You might notice that now that you're pregnant, you're experiencing more bouts of reflux or heartburns. There are basically two culprits for this: hormonal changes which result to weaker sphincter muscles that keep stomach acids from flowing back up the esophagus, and the pressure of your growing uterus on your stomach, causing stomach acids to reflux back to the esophagus. Ouch, indeed.

There are so-called lifestyle changes you can adopt to reduce the incidence of reflux and heartburn. When you lie down, keep your upper body elevated either by raising your bed, or using a kind of foam wedge to do so. Some find it more comfortable to lie on their left side, while others need to sleep on a recliner chair at a 45-degree or greater angle (not the most comfortable sleeping position, but you do what you got to do!).

Avoid foods that aggravate heartburn such as coffee, tea, cola, citrus juices, fatty foods, etc. Eat small portions frequently, rather than having one big heavy meal. Allow some time between dinner and sleeping time so that the stomach is more or less empty by the time you hit the sack.

If these don't help, there are medications that are considered safe for pregnant women, such as antacids (e.g., Maalox, Mylanta), alginic acid/antacid combination (Gaviscon), and sucralfate (Carafate). While considered safe in moderate amounts, you may want to seek the advice of your physician regarding appropriate dosages.