Comments on: What kinds of things help heartburn or indigestion in pregnancy?

By: Laguna

Laguna — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:23:37 +0000

This is from the website http://www.whattoexpect.com Helped me tons!!!
It’s that last stretch of pregnancy, when you can almost see the finish line — and it seems like your heartburn wants to stay with you every step of the way. Nearly half of your expectant running mates have also been feeling your pain — probably for most of their pregnancies — and with good reason. Among the smooth muscles that are loosening and relaxing under the strict orders of your hormonal regime is that ring of muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach. When this muscle loosens, the harsh digestive juices from your tummy back up into your esophagus. The stomach acids irritate the sensitive esophageal lining (right around where your heart is, though it has nothing to do with your heart), creating that searing pain. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to put the fire out:

Sit up and take notice. Make sure to sit upright while eating — and stay that way for a couple of hours after you eat. Lying down, slouching, slumping, and stooping will do you in. And when you have to bend, do it with your knees instead of at your waist (or you’ll send all that acid for a repeat ride up your esophagus).

Chew it over. Do your body a favor and eat slowly. Chewing is the first step in the digestive process, but the one that’s most often neglected when eating’s done on the run. The more you chew, the less work your stomach has to do. Another chew that’s good for you: Chewing sugarless gum will increase saliva, which can help neutralize acid in the esophagus. And while you’re at it, leave stress off the menu — anxious eating compounds digestive distresses of all kinds, including heartburn.

Catch the early bird special. Not to save money — but to save yourself heartburn. Whether you’re eating at home or out, take your last big meal at least two hours before bedtime so your stomach can get started on digestion before you lie down for the night. (A before-bed snack is fine, so long as it’s light and easy to digest.)

Break it up. Better still, skip those big meals altogether — six small meals are the pregnancy solution to just about whatever ails you, from heartburn to bloating to lagging energy level, you name it.

Think loose and flowing. No matter how voluptuous your upper curves make you feel, if you have heartburn, now is not the time to wear anything that Pamela Anderson might favor — tight clothes just fuel the burn.

Don’t play with matches. Some things are sure to light your heartburn fire. Just say no to highly seasoned spicy food, caffeine (this also relaxes the esophageal valve), alcohol (which is off the menu anyway), greasy foods of all kinds, and too much citrus. (If OJ gives you trouble, water it down a bit — or buy a low acid variety.) Peppermint turns up the burn in some women, but not all.

Hold your head up. Sleeping with your head elevated about six inches can keep the burn from waking you up.

Keep it down. Extra pounds can make heartburn extra worse. Try to stay within the 25-to-35-pound recommended weight gain.

Raise your hand. Ask your practitioner whether he or she has a preference for an over-the-counter antacid or whether you need prescription strength. As you’ve probably already figured out, taking Tums or Rolaids is a great way to ban the burn while boosting your calcium intake.

Feel like a natural woman. If you want to avoid over-the-counter antacids, you can try the following popular folk remedies.

Papaya (fresh or dried): You can also ask your practitioner about the safety of using chewable papaya enzymes. (You can find these in health-food stores.)
Almonds: Good for calcium as well as being a stomach settler.
A tablespoon of honey in warm milk: Yummy and relaxing. Some say all dairy helps, and others say the opposite. (At the very least you’ll get in your calcium.)

By: momotwins

momotwins — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:23:37 +0000

Drink milk,Tums

By: tmfbitu

tmfbitu — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:23:37 +0000

Vanilla yogurt helped me, many times, with middle-of-the-night heartburn.

Also, be sure you’re drinking plenty of water (and nothing carbonated or acidic).

By: happyfacemommy

happyfacemommy — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:23:37 +0000

The only thing that helps me is ice cold water or milk. Milk seems to be the only thing that helps me before bed, and sometimes I still end up taking Tums all night!

By: mamadiers

mamadiers — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:23:37 +0000

The only thing that works for me is chewable papaya extract tablets. You can find them in health food stores. Good luck!

By: franki812

franki812 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:23:37 +0000

don’t drink milk for one… sounds weird i know but it works trust me i have acid reflux bad and when i have it i drink the juice from a can of green beans i know weird but really it works i hear a tea spoon of olive oil works too pregnant or not the green bean thing works

By: colley411

colley411 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:23:37 +0000

Try not to lie down when you have heartburn and as for eating something, a tablespoon of vinegar I SWEAR gets rid of it instantly. It won’t harm the baby, just tastes a little rough =) Almonds also help by absorbing excess stomach acids.

By: R

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:23:37 +0000

You can take tums but when you do eat make sure to eat very slow and don’t go hungry for long so you don’t eat fast

By: ghds

ghds — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:23:37 +0000

Almonds without the skin. Around ten should do the trick works immediately much much more effective than tums.

To remove the skins soak for five mins in cup of boiling water comes right off.

By: NCMOMMAAC

NCMOMMAAC — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:23:37 +0000

I had it bad!! The only thing that worked for me was apple cider vinegar. I’d fill a shot glass and drink it down. Of course being vinegar it’s not very pleasant but it took care of the heartburn.