Acid Reflux and Pregnancy
When you are pregnant, you will wonder inside at times that if everything is going to be okay. There’s plenty that can go wrong during pregnancy but not many people know that one of the side effects of pregnancy is gastro-esophageal reflux (GER).
The stomach tends to produce more acid during pregnancy, as the person’s need for an increased calorie intake can even cause an increased production of acid by the stomach. The combination of hormonal changes and increased acid moving up into the esophagus is thought to be one of the reasons why most pregnant women experience reflux, with nearly all women experiencing reflux during their pregnancy and approximately 25 percent of all pregnant women dealing with acid reflux every day of their pregnancy. This can make it hard for them to focus on their daily routine or get enough sleep at night.
As pregnancy progresses and more weight is put on the stomach area, it becomes a place of turbulence for the digestive acidity. As the walls of the esophagus grow thinner during this time, they can no longer separate the acids in your stomach from moving up into your mouth as reflux. This combination of factors makes reflux very difficult to treat during pregnancy, especially during later months when pregnant women are more aware of their growing child and its sensitivity. Any treatment methods that are used have to be studied and determined safe for both mother and child. But because prescription medications for reflux in pregnancy have been linked to birth defects, most doctors will not prescribe them under any circumstance – no matter how desperate a woman may feel!
In some cases, antacids may be used to treat acid reflux during pregnancy. Most do not harm the baby. However, large amounts of sodium are found in many brands of antacids. Excessive sodium intake can worsen swelling problem.
To ensure that your baby will be healthy, there are special fruits to eat while you are pregnant. However, it’s also important that you understand which fruits may not be best for your baby. Orange juice can worsen heartburn, so limit intake of orange juice as well as lemons and grapefruit juices. They contain a lot of acid in them and should be somewhat limited. Fresh fruit is great for the body, but stay away from acidic ones because they have acid in them as well – though fruits such as apples provide vitamins that can only benefit you.
Eat just enough at each meal so that you don’t over eat and place a strain on your digestive system. Consume most of your fluids during the day as well to keep yourself hydrated because drinking too much before bed can increase your chances of waking up in the middle of the night with acid reflux!
Sleep propped up with your head above your stomach. This position will limit the amount of acid brought up into the throat and mouth during reflux. You can buy special pillows designed to help with this problem. Even elevating a few inches by placing bricks under each side of the bed will go a long way to reducing reflux in the throat and mouth.
Coping with reflux throughout your pregnancy can be exhausting. That’s why we want to alleviate some of the pressure of having to deal with your symptoms by providing this guide on managing reflux while pregnant.
Click here for 15 SAFE, Natural Ways to Reduce Your Reflux During Pregnancy – the boogordoctor’s eBook.
