Acid Reflux and Pregnancy

If you’re expecting, then you should know there’s link between acid reflux and pregnancy. In fact, more than 50% of all moms-to-be have reported that they have experienced severe symptoms during their pregnancy.

Many women that have no history of acid reflux often experience it for the first time after becoming pregnant and it often worsens during the second and third trimesters. Although it can be brutally painful and exceptionally annoying, it is quite common and, for the most part, completely harmless.

Although pregnancy and severe heartburn symptoms often go hand-in-hand, they usually subside or completely disappear after your baby is born. If you have never had a run-in with acid reflux until now, the first episode no doubt caught you off guard.

If you are like most women, you also have quite a few questions. Before you let the changes frighten you, there are some things that you should know. First of all, you are in good company. Half of all the expectant moms in this country are, or soon will, experience the same problem. It comes with the territory.

The link between acid reflux and pregnancy increases your chances of becoming symptomatic because:

• Your hormone levels are constantly changing. This affects the functioning of the digestive tract and the way that different foods are digested or tolerated. You may no longer be able to eat some of your favorite foods.

• The placenta produces a hormone, called progesterone that relaxes the LES (lower esophageal sphincter), which permits acid in the stomach to flow back up into the esophagus.

• Progesterone also slows down peristalsis (the involuntary muscle contractions that transport your food through the digestive tract) making digestion difficult.

• Acid in your stomach can be pushed back up into the esophagus if your abdomen is crowded by your growing baby, which is inevitable.

• You may be forced to sleep on your side as your belly begins to get too big to allow you sleep on your back.

• You may have new cravings for foods that you have never tried. If you’ve never tried it, you have no way of knowing if it will agree with you.

• Your exercise program may change or completely come to halt. For some, physical activity is the key to keeping symptoms at bay.

You may not be able to completely eliminate your acid reflux during pregnancy but you can rest assure that, barring any major complications, your health and that of your baby, are not at risk. The link between acid reflux and pregnancy can make for an exaggerated level of discomfort during your special time.

However, your obstetrician can help you come up with a plan that will minimize the pain and the inconvenience. Although there are numerous "home remedies" out there, none of them have been proven or substantiated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Only a qualified professional should help you make decisions concerning your pregnancy and the treatment of your acid reflux.

Are you familiar with the symptoms of acid reflux during pregnancy? They are quite common, can occur at any time throughout your term and often becomes worse as the pregnancy progresses, with the third trimester being the most troublesome. Find out more.

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