Heartburn is described as a burning feeling that stretches from the bottom of the breast bone up to the lower throat. It is commonly caused by overeating or the consumption of a food that does not agree with the body.

Heartburn is often a common condition among many pregnant women, caused by the hormonal and physical body changes. Heartburn among pregnant women usually begins somewhere during the first trimester and typically worsens during the second and third trimesters.

Just like acid reflux, heartburn during pregnancy is caused by stomach acids sneaking out of the stomach past the valve that is supposed to keep it there. The stomach fluids rise up the esophagus causing pain and discomfort.

Unlike acid reflux, the valve is not simply faulty; it has been relaxed by hormones produced due to the pregnancy. The particular hormone is called progesterone and it also relaxes the muscles of the uterus. During digestion your esophagus and intestines make wavelike contractions.

The progesterone slows those contractions, which results in sluggish digestion. Then later during the pregnancy, as the baby gets bigger, the abdominal cavity gets crowded and pushes the stomach acids back up into the esophagus. This condition usually continues until the baby is born.

Although there is nothing that can be done to cure the condition, it is possible to ease the symptoms. The following tips are good things to add to your lifestyle even beyond pregnancy because they promote good health and help prevent other non pregnancy related digestive issues.

Don’t eat late at night or close to bedtime.

Avoid greasy or spicy foods, as well as anything with chocolate, peppermint, tomato sauce, caffeine, carbonation, and citrus.

Wear loose clothes.

Eat smaller meals.

Don’t lay flat after eating. Three hours should pass before going to bed.

Elevate the head and upper body at bedtime.

Stay away from tobacco and alcohol.

Most of the time pregnant women can ease their symptoms through simple diet and lifestyle changes.

If something more is needed, heartburn medication with aluminum, calcium, or magnesium are usually safe and effective. Magnesium based antacids should be avoided during the last trimester of pregnancy due to its potential to interfere with uterine contractions during labor.

Antacids with sodium bicarbonate should be completely avoided because as it results in the potential of too much fluid in both the mother and the fetus. To be safe, however, a doctor should always be consulted before taking heart burn medicine or any other medication during pregnancy.