Why Is Heartburn Common in Pregnancy?

Heartburn is widespread among women who are expecting children, but for many of them it is not typical at all because of the way it manifests itself with burning in the chest area and sour-tasting stomach contents after eating. When this occurs, it can cause a loss of sleep due to waking up during the night and also create eating problems. Many women who experience heartburn during pregnancy believe that they have a serious heart condition or that something similar happened to someone they know. But usually heartburn during pregnancy is simply the result of the changes in a woman’s body during that time. 

Understanding this early on helps lessen fear, therefore making heartburn easier to cope with. This question does tend to come up regularly when women have consultations with their cardiologist, especially those who are currently receiving treatment at the best cardiology hospital in Chennai for a previous heart condition.

What Causes Heartburn During Pregnancy?

Hormonal change is primarily responsible for many women experiencing the symptoms of heartburn in pregnancy. One hormone, progesterone, helps maintain a pregnancy by relaxing various muscles in the woman’s body, including the lower esophageal sphincter (the valve that prevents stomach acid from coming back up). When it becomes overly relaxed during pregnancy, it allows for increased levels of stomach acid to come back up into the lady’s esophagus (causing a burning sensation). 

As the pregnancy continues to advance physically, the additional physical pressure on the stomach continues to make heartburn symptoms worse due to an increased possibility of experiencing esophageal reflux, especially during nighttime and after meals. Pregnant women who have never experienced heartburn will often suddenly begin to experience it.

There are many possibilities of things that can trigger heartburn symptoms, including the following:

• Eating large meals or heavy meals
• Consuming spicy foods, fatty foods, and heavily acidic-based foods.
• Laying down right after eating
• Drinking coffee, chocolate, soda. 

Many women will have very different symptoms from one another; some women will experience mild to no burning sensation, and others may experience sleepless nights because of the reflux that occurs while sleeping.

Is Heartburn Harmful?

Heartburn is not usually hazardous to either mother or baby, and it typically goes away after the mother has given birth. Misinterpretation of symptoms can lead to confusion regarding the level of severity; therefore, any time there is pain in the chest area, it is wise to seek help immediately. Heart attacks, ulcers, and gallbladder problems frequently exhibit similar signs as well.

You should seek medical attention if you experience:

• Pain radiating from your chest down through your arm(s) and up into your neck/jaw.
• Having trouble breathing along with discomfort in your chest.
• Vomiting along with blood in it.
• Having a hard time managing to swallow food or drinks – weight loss or not eating is an issue for immediate attention.

Getting timely evaluations and appropriate treatment reduces the chance of serious complications and worry.

How to Manage Heartburn Safely During Pregnancy

To alleviate symptoms of indigestion for some women, many minor changes in diet and lifestyle can help. Instead of eating three large meals a day, try eating several small, more frequent meals. Do not lie flat for at least two hours after eating. Prop up the head when sleeping to lessen discomfort during sleep. Replace fried foods and spicy foods with lighter meals, and chew food well before swallowing.

Keep a record of which foods seem to cause indigestion, and many women have been able to figure out which foods seem to cause them more trouble than others. Drink plenty of fluids while drinking small amounts of fluids as they become available rather than consuming large amounts of fluid at once.

Some doctors may recommend medication (which is pregnancy safe) if you have tried diet and lifestyle modifications without success; self-medicating is unsafe as many over-the-counter medications are unsafe for use during pregnancy.

The Emotional Side of Heartburn in Pregnancy

Heartburn isn’t merely a physical disturbance. It can interfere with sleep, moods and enjoy eating. Many women suffer through heartburn during the course of their pregnancies without ever letting anyone know about their struggles because they believe heartburn is just part of their body’s normal response to pregnancy. You should not suffer through it. Information and proper support are crucial pieces in finding relief from heartburn symptoms. The more informed you are about what causes heartburn, the better prepared you will be to cope with it and not to live in fear of it.

You should see your physician when:

• Heartburn continues even with modifications in your daily routine
• You frequently wake up during the night due to symptoms
• You are experiencing vomiting, dehydration, and severe fatigue.

Seeing a doctor early can avert preventable stress and ensure optimal nutrition during your pregnancy.

Pregnancy heartburn stems from the increase of hormones, plus the weight placed on organs by an enlarging womb. The symptoms usually don’t harm the pregnant woman or her unborn child, but if you experience prolonged heartburn or unexpected symptoms, certain measures can be taken to assist you and ensure your well-being by consulting a healthcare provider on how to cope. At Sugam Hospital, working with an experienced gynaecologist specialist in Chennai gives you access to information and support, providing the opportunity to consider a more effective treatment plan for a successful pregnancy.