Discover The Relationship Between Pregnancy And Heartburn Symptoms

Pregnancy is a miracle which we have to be thankful for, but unfortunately there is also a relationship between pregnancy and heartburn symptoms. Furthermore, there are other inconveniences related with pregnancy, such as weight gain, swollen ankles, and numerous annoyances.

Now let's focus on pregnancy and heartburn symptoms. Many women do not realize about this fact and they surprise when they experience the condition. In fact, many women suffer from heartburn for the first time due to their pregnancy. There are some factors that cause the condition as discussed below.

Hormone changes during pregnancy

Pregnancy and heartburn symptoms often happen together because of hormone changes during pregnancy. The condition is mainly the responsibility of progesterone hormone. The amount of the hormone increases during pregnancy and it causes the relaxation of smooth muscle tissue in the body, which will help the labor process later on.

Unfortunately, the hormone also brings a negative effect. It does not only affect the muscle around the uterus where it should be, but it also affects the sphincter at the end of the esophagus. As a result, the esophagus relaxes and the stomach acid can travel freely into the esophagus, which leads to heartburn problem. This scenario explains the relationship between pregnancy and heartburn symptoms.

There is another factor related with the production of progesterone that can cause a relationship between pregnancy and heartburn symptoms, although the relationship is less direct. Progesterone slows down the actions of peristalsis, which are basically contractions of smooth muscle that move foods from the esophagus and down through the intestines. Since the peristalsis actions are slowed, foods do not move properly like usual and they tend to stay in the stomach longer, which encourages the occurrence of heartburn.

The presence of the baby

When it comes to pregnancy and heartburn symptoms, hormone changes are not the only problem. The presence of the baby can cause similar condition because when the baby grows, the abdominal cavity gets more crowded. This situation pushes the stomach up slightly. The stomach becomes compressed and it is easier for stomach acid to push out and travel into the esophagus. This creates another relationship between pregnancy and heartburn symptoms.

Common treatments

Of course every pregnant woman does not want to experience heartburn, but due to the reasons above, it is expected for the heartburn to come and go during the pregnancy period. What can be done is to minimize the occurrence of heartburn symptoms by avoiding caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and foods that can promote the condition.

In some cases, antacids can be used to fight the symptoms, but it is better to consult with your doctor first. Some antacids contain aluminum and aspirin that are dangerous for pregnancy. Pregnancy and heartburn symptoms are related, but you can minimize its occurrence. Moreover, the birth of a new life is obviously worth the discomfort of pregnancy.

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