With your baby bump growing and pregnancy hormones raging, avoiding heartburn on your road to motherhood may be a tall order. All the cards seem stacked against you: Your growing uterus may put pressure on your stomach, which in turn pushes acid into your esophagus. Thanks to an influx of hormones, the mechanism that keeps this acid away is too relaxed to do much good. Lastly, your diet may be completely out of whack, as you desperately try to keep morning sickness at bay. But just because your body may be predisposed for feeling the heat, doesn’t mean you have to suffer through heartburn.
How to beat the heat
1. Keep a food diary
For a week, commit to documenting the foods you eat. When you have any uncomfortable digestive issues, jot them down too. Soon, you’ll be able to pick up on patterns and pinpoint the foods that cause you trouble. Avoid those and you’ll be on your way to feeling better faster.
2. Eat smaller meals
Feeling overstuffed can cause havoc on your digestive track. Instead of eating three meals, focus on six smaller meals spread out over the course of your day.
3. Drink up
Sip on water throughout the day to make sure you’re well-hydrated. Doing so can also help kick heartburn to the curb – and aid you in not overeating.
4. Go for a post-dinner walk
Help your digestion along by taking a gentle walk after eating. As tempting as it may be to hit the couch after a good meal, doing so can push acid back into your esophagus. Keep everything running smoothly by introducing light movement after eating.
5. Elevate
Keep acid down even while you sleep by adding an extra pillow beneath your head. Keep your head slightly above your chest and you may feel much better by morning.
6. Try ginger
Freshly grated ginger in tea, ginger ale, and even ginger chews and candies can help soothe a burning belly. It’s a perfectly safe spice to use while expecting and may go along way toward helping you feel better.
Are you suffering from heartburn during pregnancy? What are some ways you’ve found relief? Share your tips with other moms-to-be in the comments below!