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Overview
Pregnancy Heartburn SymptomsApproximately 50% of all pregnant women experience heartburn. Heartburn, also known as acid reflux or indigestion, is a burning sensation felt in the chest. It is caused by the level of hormones present in pregnant women. Although it is an uncomfortable feeling, it is most often nothing to worry about. The birth of the baby alleviates heartburn symptoms, although it usually gets worse before it gets better.
Time Frame
Heartburn symptoms in pregnant women can occur at any time, but most women experience the symptoms during the second and third trimesters. It is heightened in the third trimester due to the pressure that the growing uterus places on the stomach and intestines. Heartburn symptoms generally arise after a meal and can linger for many hours. It is a temporary condition, and goes away during postpartum.
Prevention/Solution
Because it is a result of hormones and uterine growth, heartburn cannot be stopped once in action, but it can be prevented from occurring. A mother's diet affects heartburn. It is advised to avoid fried foods and caffeine. Women should not eat as much, because this could overcrowd the stomach and increase the likelihood of acid indigestion. Drinking too much liquid can also induce heartburn. Mothers are asked to wait to lie down for an hour after eating. When sleeping, it's also a good idea to sleep slightly elevated, to promote the gravitation pull of the acid down into the stomach.
Considerations
If heartburn has already begun, mothers can minimize it by chewing gum. The act of chewing produces saliva, which contains bicarbonate. Bicarbonate is a chemical that neutralizes acid, and aids to minimizing heartburn. For chronic heartburn, a doctor can also suggest or prescribe an antacid. Not all antacids should be taken, though. Some may inhibit the absorption of iron, which is necessary for the health of mother and child.
Misconceptions
It has long been considered an old wives' tale that heartburn in pregnancy lead to hairy babies. Recently, Johns Hopkins University conducted a study to disprove the tale, but actually discovered truth to the pregnancy heartburn/ hairy baby correlation. Approximately 82% of pregnant women who suffered from moderate to severe heartburn bore hairy babies, as opposed to bald ones. The University further asserted that the connection is in the hormone estrogen, which is responsible for causing heartburn and growing fetal hair.
Features
Heartburn is characterized by a burning sensation from the throat to the base of the breast bone. It is caused by a combination of pregnancy hormones, most predominantly Progesterone. Progesterone relaxes the valve between the esophagus, or food pipe, and the stomach. This allows the gastric acid from the stomach to splash up the pipe, causing the acidic, burning feeling. Heartburn is also caused by the uterus pushing against the stomach, forcing the stomach acid to rise up the esophagus. This is why heartburn is heighten during the 3rd trimester, when the uterus is at its biggest.
