The cause of the condition of heartburn occurs because the food that is already in the stomach is pushed towards the esophagus, also known as the increase in acid into the esophagus due to the enlarging uterus As a result, irritation occurs on the wall of the esophagus, because food is mixed with acidic stomach acid.
This increase in stomach acid can be triggered by several things, one of which is due to the influence of the hormone progesterone. During pregnancy, the production of this hormone continues to increase. An increase in the hormone progesterone during pregnancy will slow down movement and relax the muscles in the digestive system. The goal is actually noble, so that more nutrients from the food that pregnant women consume can be absorbed by the baby. The smooth muscles in the uterine area and the valve between the stomach and esophagus also relax. This is what can trigger the acid to rise up into the esophagus. Generally, pregnant women who have a history of heartburn are more at risk of experiencing heartburn during pregnancy. But there is no need to worry, because this complaint can be overcome.
Here are some tips and ways to deal with heartburn during pregnancy:
1. Eat Little But Often
The first tip for dealing with heartburn during pregnancy is that pregnant women are advised to consume small amounts of food or small portions, but often. This aims to prevent the stomach from being empty for longer so that stomach acid can be neutralized. In addition, in order to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women, eat small portions but more frequently, for example 5-6 times a day. Diet like this is more recommended for pregnant women, compared to eating 3 times a day but in large portions.
2. Avoid Heartburn Trigger Foods
One simple way to avoid disease is to avoid the cause itself. In order to minimize the risk of heartburn, avoid trigger foods such as fatty foods, spicy spices, acidic foods, spicy foods, foods or drinks containing caffeine or drinks containing soda.
3. Avoid lying down / sleeping right after eating
The habit after eating full always makes us feel comfortable so lie down immediately. However, this is actually not good, especially for pregnant women. Because lying down will trigger stomach acid to rise quickly into the esophagus. For that, it is highly recommended to give a break after eating. Sit for at least 2 to 3 hours after eating a meal. Pregnant women are also allowed to take small walks after they eat their meal but are not allowed to lie down immediately after eating.
4. Eat slowly
It’s not just the two points that pregnant women should avoid. But there are also other points that you should also avoid when eating, namely eating in a hurry. Although there is a myth that says that a person’s eating habits are related to the quality of his work, this is in fact wrong. The quality of a person’s work has nothing to do with his diet. The quality of work will be assessed when he does the job quickly and precisely. For that, pregnant women should eat slowly and chew properly. Because eating in a hurry will only make the stomach work more difficult to digest food. As a result, pregnant women will feel unwell.
5. Avoid using costumes that are too tight
The use of clothes that are so tight will torture you, especially when heartburn conditions hit. In addition, clothes that are too tight will put great pressure on the pregnant woman’s stomach. As a result, besides being engulfed, pregnant women will also feel pain which is feared to disturb the fetus inside. For that, you should wear loose and comfortable clothes, especially around the waist and stomach area.
6. Chewing Gum Can Ease Heartbur Complaints
When heartburn complaints hit, try chewing gum. Because chewing gum can increase the production of saliva (saliva) which can neutralize stomach acid in the esophagus.
7. Lie down immediately when you feel a heartburn
When heartburn complaints strike, you should immediately lie down with your upper body, chest and head higher than your stomach. This is useful for preventing stomach acid from rising into the esophagus. But you should be careful using equipment to support your back while lying down with a higher upper body position, use soft and thick materials to prop such as pillows or bolsters.
8. Consumption of ulcer medication when you feel heartburn complaints
Sometimes when a heartburn complaint is severe enough, a pregnant woman will feel a slightly stronger pain. When this condition occurs, pregnant women can consume ulcer drugs that can neutralize stomach acid. However, even so, pregnant women need to first consult their doctor whether consuming ulcer medication during pregnancy is allowed.
Those are some tips that pregnant women can do to deal with heartburn. By reading this article, it is hoped that pregnant women can overcome when heartburn occurs. So that there is no need for other dangerous medicinal measures to be taken to treat this heartburn condition. Hope it is useful.
