A woman often enjoys the second trimester of pregnancy. Many times, the nausea and vomiting of the first trimester has subsided and she enjoys feeling the baby’s movements as they gain strength.  One of the conditions that the pregnant mom might need help with during the second trimester is heartburn.

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Personal Story

I occasionally dealt with heartburn during my pregnancies. The heartburn usually occurred after I ate. It felt like a burning sensation located in my chest behind my sternum or in my throat. The discomfort got worse when I bent over or went to bed. The length of time heartburn bothered me was between a few minutes to several hours.

Heartburn

Heartburn during pregnancy is common. As many as two thirds of all pregnant women experience it. There are several possible causes:

• Relaxed lower esophageal tone due to hormonal changes
• Pressure of the expanding uterus
• Slower transit time of foods moving through the digestive system due to expanding uterus

Whatever the cause, the diagnosis is generally based on clinical observation. Treatments are necessary to prevent complications due to acid going where it doesn’t belong.

Treatments

Treatments are based on the desire to relieve symptoms.

• Over the counter antacids should be avoided because a case-controlled study reported a “significant increase in major and minor congenital abnormalities in infants exposed to antacids during the first trimester of pregnancy.”
• Herbal treatment is based on simple dietary and lifestyle modifications. Gentle herbs can soothe and protect the esophageal tract. A mild antacid herb could be added if the other modifications are not enough. If heartburn is causing sleeping problems, herbs that soothe nerves could be added to the plan.

Consult an herbalist for ideas on herbal remedies to consider. If an herbal treatment is chosen, the herbs are best taken as teas or lozenges rather than as tinctures.

Modifications

Dietary and lifestyle changes to consider:

Diet changes include avoiding coffee, ginger, peppermint, spicy foods, and tomato products. Throughly chew 8-10 almonds several times daily.

Lifestyle changes include not drinking more than a cup of fluids at a meal and not eating for at least two hours before lying down. Eat small, frequent meals during the day instead of three big meals.

Action

If you are pregnant and experiencing heartburn, try these dietary and lifestyle modifications.

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. What have you tried when experiencing heartburn during pregnancy?