Causes of Heartburn Symptoms during Pregnancy

Heartburn is described by pregnant women as that terrible, uncomfortable burning sensation behind the breastbone usually occurring after eating. While it is true that heartburn is a common condition among 50 percent of all pregnant women, most of them reported that it is only during their pregnancy that they experience this condition.

Heartburn is also known as acid reflux or acid indigestion. While there are plenty of reasons why heartburn occurs, it is often caused by the physiological and hormonal changes in a pregnant woman’s body.

During this period, the body produces a hormone that causes the lower esophageal sphincter or LES to relax. This is called hormone progesterone, a substance which is directly produced by the placenta. The hormone progesterone is directly responsible for an underactive LES, which causes it to function irregularly. An underactive LES essentially opens too often or fails to close tight enough, allowing gastric acid to seep out of the stomach and back up into the esophagus.

The hormone progesterone also prevents both the esophagus and stomach from functioning normally. This hormone slows down the contraction produced by the stomach in order to take the food and fluid in. However, the progesterone makes this wavelike contraction sluggish. Consequently, the slow movement of the food and fluid increases the likelihood of acid reflux.

Another reason why heartburn occurs during pregnancy is the pressure exerted by a growing fetus on the stomach. This is because the baby competes for the abdominal activity, which pushes the gastric acid back up into the esophagus.

Heartburn symptoms may also be caused by the relaxation of the sphincter located right at the bottom of the stomach. This sphincter is responsible from keeping the bile in the intestine. When it relaxes, the bile directly from the bowel refluxes back up into the stomach. And this bile makes the symptoms worse.

Other factors that may trigger heartburn symptoms include caffeine, stress, alcohol, and smoking. It may worsen heartburn if it is a pre-existing condition prior to pregnancy.

While most heartburn medications are safe even for pregnant women, it is best to avoid taking one when heartburn symptoms occur during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Do not take any over-the-medication without consulting with your doctor. Some of these OTC meds may contain substances that can be harmful to you or your baby. Heartburn medications that are high in sodium or contain aspirin or aluminium are to be avoided.

The best way to manage your heartburn symptoms is to make certain lifestyle modifications. One of the best ways to prevent unnecessary pressure on the stomach is to avoid overeating. One way to do this is to eat small, five meals throughout the day instead of three, large meals. Another is by simply being a mindful eater. By being mindful of what and how much you eat, you can easily recognize the signals your body is telling you.

Other ways to prevent heartburn symptoms from setting in include not eating within two or three hours before bedtime and avoiding fatty and greasy food.