Many pregnant women experience heartburn symptoms.
Several things can be responsible for this common occurrence.
One thing that can cause heartburn in pregnant women is their elevated hormone levels.
The presence of increased hormones in a woman's body can result in a softening of the ligaments which keep the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tightly closed.
If the LES relaxes at inopportune times, gastric acids and foods are able to reflux back into the woman's esophagus and throat.
Changes in a pregnant woman's body and the development of the baby create more pressure in the woman's stomach, and this can be another cause of heartburn during pregnancy.
The increased pressure can force the contents of the stomach into the LES and then into the esophagus.
Fortunately, a pregnant woman can decrease the discomfort she experiences due to heartburn by trying several things.
The following suggestions are all good advice, although they may not totally eliminate a pregnant woman's heartburn: Stay away from foods that trigger heartburn, including spicy foods, chocolates, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes and tomato-based products, mustard, fried foods and foods high in fat, and highly seasoned dishes.
Ask a physician for a more complete list of foods to avoid, and a separate list of foods which can be eaten with little risk of causing heartburn.
Likewise, stay away from drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea and soda.
Too much caffeine will relax the LES and let stomach acids reflux back into the esophagus.
Avoid drinking alcohol as well.
Alcohol, like caffeine, tends to trigger heartburn by relaxing the LES.
Eat numerous small meals throughout the day instead of eating fewer but larger meals.
Don't hurry through your meals.
Instead, take the time to thoroughly chew your food, as this will help you avoid heartburn.
Eat your final meal of the day at least three hours before bedtime.
Drinking at least eight to ten glasses of water throughout the day is recommended.
Don't drink water only during meals, however, because this will expand the stomach and increase the pressure on the LES, causing it to open at the wrong times.
Instead, drink more water and other fluids in between meals.
Sleep with your head and shoulders elevated by at least six to eight inches above the rest of your body.
You can accomplish this easily by simply using a wedge pillow when you sleep.
When your head is elevated, gravity will help keep stomach acids in their proper place - in your stomach rather than in your esophagus.
Your physician can make additional recommendations on how you can prevent or alleviate heartburn symptoms at night.
Stay away from wearing tight-fitting clothes.
Tight clothing around the waist and stomach can be uncomfortable and trigger heartburn.
Bend at the knees rather than from the waist.
This bending technique can lessen the chance of too much pressure being created in the stomach.
Sit up straight rather than slouching, and use a comfortable chair.
Maintain your weight at a sensible level.
Excess weight will put excess pressure on the stomach and force the contents of the stomach through the LES and into the esophagus.
Stay within your physician's guidelines for weight.
Don't smoke.
Smoking can have several harmful effects on pregnant women.
One of them is increasing the likelihood of heartburn.
These are just some of the things you can do to prevent heartburn.
As always, check with your doctor before do anything.