Natural Remedies For Heartburn During Pregnancy

No one knows heartburn quite like an expecting mum. Heartburn during pregnancy is common. Research suggests that more than half of the pregnant women experience serious heartburn, especially during their second and third trimesters. It is when you have a burning sensation in your chest. This uncomfortable sensation can move up your throat and you might also have a bitter or sour taste in the back of your throat.

Although it’s called “heartburn”, it is not related to your heart and happens because of acid reflux. Acid reflux which occurs when the stomach acid moves from your stomach up to your oesophagus, the tube that carries food, liquid and saliva to your stomach.

A muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) sits between the oesophagus and the stomach. It opens to allow food to pass and then closes so that the acid doesn’t travel back up your oesophagus. But if the LES doesn’t close properly, the acid can move into your oesophagus, causing heartburn.

The good news is, there are some tried and tested home remedies for heartburn during pregnancy. Take a look!

Tried And Tested Home Remedies For Heartburn During Pregnancy

Some of the tried and tested remedies for heartburn during pregnancy are:

1. Raw apple cider vinegar: You can mix one teaspoon of vinegar with approximately 8 ounces of water. Sip throughout the day and an hour before your meals and it will relieve you for sure.

2. Fresh lemon in water: Squeeze one or two fresh lemons into a minimum of 8 ounces of water. You can add stevia or raw honey.

Lemon juice increases the production of digestive juices and bile and helps balance low stomach acids, aiding in digestion.

3. Coconut water: High in electrolytes and alkaline minerals like potassium, coconut water promotes pH balance and acts as a great natural acid neutralizer.

4. Peppermint: You can try having peppermint tea. If you are experiencing early pregnancy acidity, sucking on peppermints can ease it too.

5. Yoghurt or milk: Yoghurt or a glass of milk can help relieve heartburn. You can try nut milk, rice milk, or goat’s milk too.

6. Fermented foods: Fermented foods like raw sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir are enriched with enzymes and good bacteria that support healthy digestion and ease heartburn during pregnancy.

7. Aloe vera: You can apply aloe vera or its gel on the chest, throat, and abdomen.

Aloe vera does wonders in treating inflammation and reduces heartburn during pregnancy.

8. Grapefruit: You can try eating one grapefruit after each meal. Grapefruit stimulates bile production. Once it is digested, it becomes alkaline and aids in digestion, flatulence, and bloating.

9. Ginger tea: Ginger tea can help relieve heartburn. However, it is advisable to use it in moderation because ginger can lead to contractions if used frequently or in high doses.

10. Herbal tea: Known for their soothing properties, peppermint, slippery elm and marshmallow root can relieve heartburn during pregnancy.

11. Pickle juice: Filled with healthy enzymes and a high level of acid, pickle juice can help normalise your stomach’s acid levels and improve digestion.

12. Baking soda: You can try mixing a teaspoon of baking soda with water and sip slowly. This helps neutralise an overabundance of acid.

13. Fennel seeds: You can chew on a teaspoon of these seeds after lunch or dinner.

Alternatively, you can also sip a cup of tea prepared by simmering two to three teaspoons of crushed fennel seeds in a cup of water for five to eight min. Be it early pregnancy heartburn relief or a third trimester relief, fennel seeds can do wonders.

14. Bentonite clay: You can stir one to two teaspoons of bentonite clay with a minimum of eight ounces of water. It’s important to drink a lot of water when taking clay to help it move through.

Bentonite clay is alkalizing and absorbs excess acids, toxins, hormones, easing morning sickness and heartburn during pregnancy.

15. Plain water: Try to drink plenty of water, but not all at once. Gulping a lot of water in one sitting can increase the risk of heartburn, especially when the baby’s larger size is pushing your stomach upwards.

Instead, you can sip water all day long.

We are sure that these natural remedies for heartburn in pregnancy will relieve you.

When Can You Expect Heartburn To End?

Heartburn is a symptom that all expecting women are likely to experience throughout their entire pregnancies if they have it at all.

In fact, even if you have escaped indigestion early in your pregnancy, there’s a chance that you’ll have a surge starting around the second or third trimesters, when your uterus takes over your abdominal cavity and forces your stomach upwards.

Fortunately, heartburn goes away as soon as you give birth.

How Can You Prevent Heartburn During Pregnancy?

Here are some of the tips to prevent heartburn during pregnancy:

• You can eat several small meals in a day instead of three large ones.

• Eating slowly is recommended as drinking large amounts while eating might increase the risk of acid reflux and heartburn.

• Try to avoid fried, spicy, or rich (fatty) foods or any food that seems to cause relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and increase the risk of heartburn.

• Try to keep the head of your bed higher than the foot of your bed. You can also place pillows under your shoulders to help prevent stomach acids from rising into your oesophagus.

• Wear loose-fitting clothing as tight-fitting clothes can increase the pressure on your stomach and abdomen.

• Eat a balanced-diet and cut back on milk to avoid constipation. If constipated, you can try some of the home remedies for constipation during pregnancy.

When To Consult A Doctor?

If you experience extreme discomfort because of heartburn, you can consult your doctor. He/ she will prescribe medications that are safe during pregnancy.

You should also consult doctor if you:

• Have heartburn that does not let you sleep at night and are losing weight

• Have trouble swallowing and spit up blood

• Have black poop

FAQs:

What foods cause heartburn during pregnancy?

Some foods trigger heartburn. These include highly seasoned or spicy food, fried or fatty foods, processed meats, chocolate, caffeine, carbonated beverages, mint and citrus.

What does heartburn mean during pregnancy?

Heartburn refers to the burning feeling in your chest. It is an irritation of the oesophagus that is caused by stomach acid.

What heartburn feel like during pregnancy?

Heartburn feels like a burning feeling in the chest just behind the breastbone.

When does pregnancy heartburn start?

The symptoms of heartburn arise at any point during your pregnancy. But they are more common from 27 weeks onwards.

What causes heartburn during pregnancy?

During pregnancy your body produces large amounts of progesterone and relaxin, which tend to relax smooth muscle tissues throughout your body.

As a result, the food sometimes moves more slowly through your system, resulting in indigestion issues and heartburn.

Can I prevent heartburn during pregnancy?

Although heartburn is a common symptom, there are ways by which you can prevent heartburn. Try eating more frequent but smaller meals. Avoid spicy or fried foods. 

Conclusion

Heartburn is a common pregnancy symptom. However, the sizzle should subside after your delivery. If you haven’t found relief after taking over-the-counter medications for more than two weeks, it is advisable to talk to your doctor. You might have developed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which requires specific lifestyle changes and medication.

Also Read: Breastfeeding pain relief home remedies