AS soon as the morning sickness subsides, in comes the Heart burn due to hormones and increasing size of the baby.
Heartburn is a term used to describe a burning sensation in the center of your chest. Upto 80% women experience it. The symptoms usually disappear after you give birth.
Causes of heartburn:
It is caused by the hormone Progesterone, which surges in the second trimester to keep the muscles of your uterus relaxed and causes the valve at the opening of the stomach to relax aswell. The valve is then unable to hold stomach acids from regurgitating into the food pipe. The acid irritates the lining of the foodpipe called the esophagus and causes heart burn. Progesterone slows down your digestion too.
Heartburn aggravates further in the third trimester due to the pressure from the increased size of the uterus.
Tips to reduce heartburn:
Avoid high fat, spicy foods. Chocolate and coffee can also aggravate symptoms.
Choose easily digestible food.
Small frequent meals, so there is less acid buildup.
Do not lie down atleast an hour after intake of food. Avoid bending over as it also causes regurge.
If your heartburn is worse at night, do not eat anything heavy atleast three hours before going to bed.
Mix one part milk with three parts chilled water and take small sips throughout the day.
Raise the headside of you mattress by a few inches by keeping a rolled towel or cushions beneath it. Do not use pillows to prop up your head as it would cause undue pressure on your tummy due to improper posture.
Could it be something else?
Get in touch with your Consultant if the location of pain is different than the usual.
Pain in the following sites may need you to be evaluated further:
- a sharp pain located in the top of your belly below your ribs.
- if the pain is in the upper right side of your tummy and you’re being sick.
- if you’re finding it difficult to eat, are losing weight or are worried about other symptoms.
