Acid Reflux In Pregnancy - What Are The Causes And Treatment?

One good aspect about the acid reflux in pregnancy that some women suffer is that the issue is resolved in the weeks after childbirth. The bad aspect is that at least 25% of pregnant women suffer acid reflux as soon as they become pregnant and that by the third trimester about 75% pregnant women are in the grip of acid reflux and associated heart burn.

Universal consensus on the related causes is however lacking in the various theories proposed by medical researchers. Three of them are given below.

During pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations are quite normal. One of the hormones, progesterone plays a role in the operation of the digestive system and causes some changes in the body.

A pregnancy entails a woman to carry the fetus in her uterus to maturity. The fetus undergoes development. It grows in weight and gradually occupies more and more space. Changes and accommodation of the organs in the woman's body are necessitated for the above purpose. The overall effect is that greater pressure has to be borne by the woman's stomach.

Pregnancy brings with it some more changes. Such women need to wear loose fitting clothes especially at the waist to make way for the growing fetus. Some women may not adhere to this and wear tight clothes. Moreover it is also recommended that pregnant women eat smaller meals, not lie down after taking them, and lie down in the right posture (on the left side while sleeping). Some women may flout these guidelines.

Acid reflux occurs more severely in the case of the women who flout the above guidelines. Some degree of acid reflux cannot be avoided though even after following the guidelines.

Treatment for acid reflux in pregnancy: This includes some dos and some don'ts.

The don'ts include taking pharmacological medications for acid reflux and eating foods such as chocolates, acidic foods, coffee, tomatoes, carbonated drinks, juices and fruits, fried and fatty foods, and vinegar. It also includes eating at bedtime.

The dos include moderate eating and drinking more water than normal. The latter serves two purposes. It keeps an acid reflux flare-up at bay. It is also required from the point of the extra requirement, which the growing fetus needs.

The dos include elevating the head during sleep. It is facilitated by careful placement of pillows under the head.

Inspite of all the above precautions, acid reflux may still rear its ugly head. For this condition, it is necessary to contact the doctor, who will give a medicine that suits the overall condition of the woman. Some women find that walking a bit and then sipping some water helps relieve the heartburn.

It is important for women to realize that the acid reflux in pregnancy is a temporary condition. They need to relax by knowing that after childbirth, it will go off by itself. This knowledge helps in making pregnant women become mentally strong.

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