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Acid Reflux and Pregnancy
A woman’s body goes though a variety of changes during a pregnancy. Some problems encountered during pregnancy like acid reflux can make it difficult for you to enjoy it. There is an old wives tale that pregnant women with acid reflux means the child will be born with a full head of hair. The truth is that higher stomach acid levels are produces by hormone changes during pregnancy which lends to a higher level of acid reflux.
When hormones change in pregnancy more stomach acid can be produced. During the period a woman is pregnant eating more is not an uncommon side effect which in turn produces more acid. The more acid produced form more food and hormone imbalance can lead to the esphagus getting more acid. Having to deal with acid reflux is a thing nearly 1/4 of pregnant woman fight every day. Constant heartburn means sleeping is not easy at night and daily routines seem that much harder.
As the baby grows more pressure is felt on the stomach area. More heartburn pain is the result of extra pressure due to the acid moving into the esophagus. That is why the majority of pregnant women find that they suffer from acid reflux during the last few months of it. Effective measures are limited due to anything consumed could affect the baby. Acid reflux prescription medication is probably not a good idea.
It is possible to take antacids to treat mild cases of acid reflux during pregnancy. Taking antacids does not harm the baby according to extensive research. Pregnant women do need to be careful though as they contain large amounts of sodium. Retention of fluid causing swelling of the ankles and legs can result.
Every woman wants her baby to be as healthy as possible and that is understandable. Avoiding acid reflux while pregnant should always be alleviated with natural remedies where possible. While consuming plenty of fresh fruits is important some of them may increase your risk of acid reflux. Avoid those that contain large amounts of acid in large quantities. The most acid fruits in this category include grapefruit, lemons, and oranges.
Do your best to eat six small meals each day so that you aren’t hungry. Your body will be able to digest these smaller meals easier than large ones. Stay hydrated during the day by consuming large amounts of water. Plenty of water will help to digest food easier in the stomach. Avoid eating in the last hours before you go to bed at night or you may end up suffering throughout the night with acid reflux.
Elevate your head and shoulders when you sleep as well. This prevents acid entering the esophagus when resting through the day or when asleep at night. There are special pillows for this or you can just stack two of them. One tip you can employ is to elevate your bed at the head stacked on bricks or a board. Adding several inches will definitely make a significant difference.
Try to lay on your left side too as this will help to get the acid reduced in your stomach. Lyng on your right side or back should be avoided to stop an increase in stomach acid. It is not always comfortable to lie on your side during pregnancy but getting into the routine will be of great help. It will certainly help you to avoid suffering from acid reflux.
Following such guidelines will help you offset acid reflux during pregnancy. This is a great time for a mom so keep those negative aspects of it away. Resting now is very important because you may not get the chance of sleep after the baby is born. If you continue to suffer from acid reflux on a regular basis during your pregnancy make sure you share this information with your doctor. Severe heartburn can cause damage to the esophagus lining which in turn needs more treatment which can be alleviated by your doctor.