Natural Ways to Cure Heartburn and Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

14 Apr Natural Ways to Cure Heartburn and Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

The burn-like feeling in the chest area during pregnancy is very common. It is felt by almost 75% of new mommas during their pregnancy.

Though, indigestion and heartburn during pregnancy are troubling, especially during the night. And the reasons could very well include hormonal changes.

The feeling is so unsettling that it gets quite difficult to cope with at times.

So, to help you out with that, today we unravel the best way to get rid of heartburn while pregnant.

For one, you can try making some changes to your diet and lifestyle to see improvements.

Keeping in line with that, here’s how to get rid of heartburn fast while pregnant, starting out with some general tips.

How to Get Rid of Heartburn While Pregnant? [7 Natural Ways]

Here are some easy tips you can try at home to get rid of heartburn and indigestion:

1. Take light walks or sit down after you eat but don’t lie down.
2. Stay away from spicy foods.
3. Get in H20 all through the day.
4. Lie down with your head rested at an elevated position.
5. Don’t drink alcohol.
6. Try some medications to relieve acid reflux symptoms.
7. Try foods like ginger, bananas, oatmeal, and melons.

Well, the nights are difficult for new mums. From the acid flux sensation to the tiredness of the day, nights are no longer rest time. 

So, we gathered some changes you could incorporate into your routine. 

Right below, we explore how to get rid of acid reflux while pregnant.

First on the list is the best way to get rid of heartburn at night while pregnant.

#1. Long Walks

It is advised to avoid lying immediately after food. Either stand or sit but don’t lie. 

It would be even better to go for a long walk.

That way, some exercise might help in easy digestion and the gag tendencies would cut down by notches. 

#2. Avoid Spicy Foods

Spicy foods cause acidity in the stomach. The digestive system, already in haywire, might not accept spices. 

Maybe the repercussions would be in the form of acid reflux after eating. 

So, at least for the first trimester, avoid spicy foods.

#3. Drink Plenty of Water

The body needs to hydrate and the universal solvent might tone down acidity in the body. 

Water soothes the acid fluctuations in the body.

If you’re not willing to drink plain water, you can drink smoothies, soup, or any juice to hydrate yourself.

#4. Keep Your Head Elevated While Resting

If you want to know how to get rid of acid reflux fast while pregnant, you’ve got to follow this tip.

Lying flat spurs the acid into the food pipe. This causes heartburn. 

So, use recliner chairs to rest or lie with your head at an elevated surface. This helps you avoid acid reflux without any extra effort. 

#5. Avoid Alcohol

Fermented alcohols are one of the major reasons for nausea. 

The body gets repulsed by alcohol. 

So, you should avoid booze during the initial periods of your pregnancy. 

Often, it’s said that alcohol can also raise the risk of an abortion. 

#6. Keep Medications Handy

Besides tum, you can opt for magnesium antacids or Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce stomach acid and relieve your symptoms.

However, it’s best to get your doctor’s advice before trying any medications during your pregnancy.

With that said, the list of how-to ways to get rid of heartburn while pregnant is most definitely incomplete without some diet recommendations.

How to Get Rid of Heartburn Naturally While Pregnant [Dietary Tips]

How to get rid of heartburn with diet?

We already know acid reflux recurs most at night. 

The relaxation after a hard day needs anything but the best. But, unfortunately, heartburns occur most when you try to rest at night. 

So, the best way to get rid of heartburn when pregnant naturally might include some of these:

#1. Ginger

Ginger relieves indigestion, bloating, or acid refluxes. It provides relief from gastrointestinal irritations.

Gingers reduce inflammation as well.

If you add turmeric to ginger water and warm it, then it might cure heartburn immediately.

The curcumin in turmeric is very effective. It is one of the best Indian home remedies for acidity during pregnancy.

So, try drinking ginger-turmeric tea to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy. 

However, keep the amount limited to avoid any difficulties due to excessive ginger.

#2. Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds offer relief from acidity. They contain oil that reduces indigestion and gets rid of heartburn. 

The reason fennel seeds can fix the issue of acid refluxes in the stomach is their high fiber content. 

Moreover, they also have high antifungal properties which reduce heartburn. 

Add crushed fennel seeds to your everyday tea to see the difference in a few days. 

Again, the quantity should not exceed a few pinches.

#3. Melon

Melons have the property of alkaline fruits. They neutralize the effects of acidity in the body. 

Furthermore, melons are a good source of magnesium which is an ingredient of antacids. 

Try it with honeydew, watermelon, or cantaloupe. They are all equally good for the digestive system.

#4. Green Veggies

Green veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and broccoli make up the GERD diet. 

They reduce stomach acid with their low sugar and high zinc content. 

Not to mention, green veggies are very low in fat and sugar, and easier to digest.

You can make broth, soups, juices, or salads with green veggies according to your taste. 

They are convenient to prepare and very nutrient-rich for both, baby and mommy!

#5. Bananas

Bananas are one of the most recommended fruits for pregnant women. 

They reduce acid reflux by inducing high fiber in the lining of the food pipes. 

Moreover, bananas are highly rich in zinc which helps in acidity. They also provide relief from indigestion almost immediately. 

It is one of the Indian remedies to get rid of heartburn while pregnant.

#6. Oatmeal

The highly rich whole-meal food is laced with zinc, manganese, and magnesium. 

Oatmeal is not only easy to prepare but also easy to digest. 

Moreover, oatmeal can be made as a part of a meal or dessert. 

Regardless, it will boost your metabolism whenever you decide to have a bowl. It also supports better intestinal health. 

Pregnant women can eat it in smaller portions. 

It’s one of the most filling foods to get rid of heartburn while pregnant.

So, these were some of the foods that won’t cause heartburn during pregnancy and can help avoid terrible acid refluxes.

Clearly, there are easy-to-get solutions with natural as well as medicinal options. 

Now, let us look at the causes of heartburn during pregnancy. 

Causes of Heartburn During Pregnancy

When does heartburn start in pregnancy?

Many starts to feel it at the beginning of the first trimester. 

However, some see heartburn as a symptom of pregnancy. 

Acid reflux during pregnancy third trimester is also quite a common phenomenon.

Here are some of the causes of heartburn in pregnancy listed down below:

#1. Abdominal Shift

A new mom’s body puts the body under several changes. 

The uterus pushes the stomach towards the abdomen cavity even further. 

This is done to create space for the fetus in the womb.

This way the baby grows comfortably in the tummy. But for a new mommy, this process becomes tedious. 

The shift can cause acid reflux. The pushed stomach causes an acid release in the esophagus itself. 

Thus, the acid release results in heartburn.

#2. Nauseousness

Nauseousness or aversion to certain foods can be a telltale symptom of pregnancy. 

However, overeating, spicy foods, or even citric foods cause nausea.

The dizziness may be due to smoking or alcohol consumption too.

So, it is better to look out for these things.

Certain complications during nausea can lead to severe GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).

Most often, such complications occur due to negligence. 

Henceforth, it is advisable to keep a check on your nausea and its triggers.

#3. Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is usual during pregnancy. It is the precursor of pregnancy sometimes. 

However, it can get a little uncomfortable.

You might feel a tight knot in your chest early in the morning or convulsions of dinner food.

The spicy food that you might have eaten the previous night can also cause a burn-like sensation. 

Acid reflux can cause morning sickness. But it’s always advisable to keep a tab on your triggers.

Food habits play a crucial role in heartburn and, naturally, form a major part of the guide on how to get rid of heartburn while pregnant.

#4. Hormonal Imbalance

Hormones go haywire during pregnancy. The increase in progesterone and estrogen can cause bloating, heartburn, or even indigestion.

Further, the hormone levels change and also affect the way food gets digested. 

As a result, the esophageal sphincter throws up the acid and it causes heartburn.

So, there you go!

We hope you found the above tips on how to get rid of heartburn while pregnant useful. 

Now, let’s jump right in and check out some of the most common queries as well.

FAQs

Here we’ve addressed some of the most searched questions. These are some recurring questions new moms should know the answer to.

ALSO READ: 7 Exercises for Diastasis Recti New Moms can Do at Home

Conclusion

Heartburn is a common occurrence during pregnancy. 

In statistical data, 80% of aspiring mums face symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux during their pregnancies.

The cause is the change in body hormones, i.e., progesterone and estrogen. 

The body undergoes several changes. So, the effects can be in the form of indigestion, heartburn, or acid flux.

However, the crux of the matter is how to get rid of heartburn while pregnant. 

There are many natural solutions to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy. 

From eating a fiber-rich diet and increasing water intake to making changes in the sleep schedule, everything should be considered.

While there are several solutions, pregnancy is not the state to experiment with all of them. If the symptoms persist, visit your gynecologist.

Keep checking for symptoms and see your body’s reactions to those symptoms. 

Being a mom is not an easy thing. So, we suggest most care and love for yourself!