What is acid reflux in pregnant women?

Generally speaking, heartburn is a type of early pregnancy reaction. The situation varies from person to person. Some reactions are severe while others are mild. Severe reactions may cause vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, accompanied by fatigue, frequent urination, etc. Acid reflux in pregnant women is a natural reaction to pregnancy and generally does not require treatment. Developing regular living habits, eating small meals frequently, and supplementing vitamins by eating more freeze-dried fruit chips can effectively prevent morning sickness and improve early pregnancy reactions. Acid reflux in pregnant women is related to the increase in progesterone and estrogen levels in the body after pregnancy, which can be improved by properly adjusting some lifestyle habits! So let’s take a look at what causes acid reflux in pregnant women!

1. What should pregnant women do if they have stomach acid? What should pregnant women do if they have stomach acid? A proper diet is recommended. Do not eat too much to avoid increasing the pressure in the stomach and lifting the diaphragm. Especially for dinner, you should avoid overeating or eating too late, and try to eat less fatty and high-fat foods. Do not eat acidic foods or spicy foods.

2. What is the cause of stomach acid in pregnant women? What is the cause of stomach acid in pregnant women? Acid reflux during pregnancy refers to the reflux of gastric acid from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn, stomach acid and other uncomfortable reactions. The phenomenon of acid reflux in pregnant women is related to the increase in progesterone and estrogen levels in the body after pregnancy. Pregnant women can improve their condition by adjusting some of their lifestyle habits appropriately and avoiding eating foods that easily produce acid water. 1. When lying down, the diaphragm is raised, and when coughing, holding breath and straining to defecate, the intra-abdominal pressure increases, which can increase the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus and aggravate the symptoms. 2. Acidic and spicy diets can irritate the inflamed esophageal mucosa, which can naturally aggravate the symptoms. When you eat too much, the intragastric pressure increases, which can easily induce esophageal reflux. Fatty foods, chocolate, strong tea, coffee and aromatic foods can reduce the tension of the smooth muscles in the lower esophagus and aggravate esophageal reflux. 3. Pregnant women with excessive stomach acid should pay attention to a reasonable diet, eat small meals frequently, chew slowly, and avoid having too much or too late dinner. You also need to pay attention to your sleeping posture. Elevating your upper body can reduce esophageal reflux. Choose loose, comfortable clothing to avoid increasing intra-abdominal pressure. Don't smoke and don't take any medicines. 4. Eat a balanced diet and don’t eat too much to avoid increasing the pressure in the stomach and lifting the diaphragm. Eat small meals frequently, slow down your eating pace, and chew your food thoroughly. Especially for dinner, you should avoid eating too much or too late. It is best to eat within 2 to 3 hours before going to bed so that you have enough time to digest the food. Avoid foods and drinks that cause gastrointestinal discomfort, which usually include: carbonated drinks, alcohol (you should not drink alcohol during pregnancy anyway), caffeine, chocolate, acidic foods (including citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, mustard and vinegar, etc.), cooked meats, mint foods, and spicy, strong, fried or high-fat foods. Chew a piece of gum after eating. Chewing gum stimulates saliva secretion, which helps neutralize stomach acid. 5. Sleeping posture: When sleeping at night, use a few more pillows or wedge-shaped cushions to raise the upper body. Raise the foot of the bed by 15 to 20 cm at the head and raise the upper body by 10 to 15 degrees, which can effectively reduce esophageal reflux. However, it is not advisable to raise the entire upper body by raising the pillow, because raising the pillow cannot lift the entire upper body. Instead, it may cause a bend between the esophagus and the stomach, affecting the flow of food into the stomach, aggravating esophageal reflux, and exacerbating heartburn. 6. Loose clothing To reduce esophageal reflux, pregnant women should wear loose clothes and avoid tight clothes that squeeze the waist and abdomen. Bowel movements should be smooth and respiratory tract infections should be actively prevented and treated to avoid increasing intra-abdominal pressure. 7. Don't smoke. Never smoke. Not only does smoking lead to many serious health problems, but it also increases stomach acid secretion. (In order to achieve the ideal effect, women who have the habit of smoking should quit smoking before pregnancy. But if you are still smoking after pregnancy and find it difficult to quit, please consult a doctor to see if she can help you find a suitable way to quit smoking. 8. Taking medications Over-the-counter acid suppressants containing magnesium or calcium may also help you relieve stomach discomfort, but be sure to consult a doctor before taking them, because some brands of acid suppressants contain aluminum, aspirin or a lot of sodium. Alkaline drugs such as aluminum hydroxide gel, Ledewei or drugs that protect the gastric mucosa, such as sucralfate, Dile Granules, etc., can be taken under the guidance of a physician to help relieve heartburn. If you feel that the above methods are of no use, you should go to the hospital for a check-up.

3. What should pregnant women do if they have heartburn due to stomach acid? Although it is difficult to completely eliminate the feeling of heartburn, measures can be taken to alleviate it. A proper diet is very important. Do not eat too much to avoid increasing the pressure in the stomach and lifting the diaphragm. Especially for dinner, you should avoid overeating and eating too late. It is best to eat within 2 to 3 hours before going to bed. Try to eat less greasy and high-fat foods. Do not eat acidic foods, spicy foods, or foods that are too cold or too hot. 1. Avoid foods and drinks that cause gastrointestinal discomfort, which usually include: carbonated drinks, alcohol (you should not drink alcohol during pregnancy anyway), caffeine, chocolate, acidic foods (including citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, mustard and vinegar, etc.), cooked meats, mint foods, spicy, strong-flavored, fried or high-fat foods. 2. Don’t eat too much at one meal. Eat small meals frequently, slow down your eating speed, and chew your food slowly. 3. Don't drink a lot of water or beverages while eating, as this will make you feel bloated. While it is important to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day during pregnancy, this should be taken in small sips between meals. 4. Chew a piece of gum after eating. Chewing gum stimulates saliva secretion, which helps neutralize stomach acid. 5. Don’t eat before going to bed. Don't eat 2 to 3 hours before going to bed so you have enough time to digest the food. 6. Use more pillows or wedge-shaped cushions when sleeping. Elevating your upper body helps keep stomach acid in your stomach and improves digestion. 7. Gain weight appropriately, but do not exceed the range recommended by your doctor. 8. Wear loose and comfortable clothes. Don't let tight clothing squeeze your waist and abdomen. 9. When you need to lower your body, bend your knees instead of bending over. 10. Never smoke. Not only does smoking lead to many serious health problems, but it also increases stomach acid secretion. (In order to achieve the ideal effect, women who smoke should quit before pregnancy. But if you are still smoking after pregnancy and find it difficult to quit, please consult your doctor to see if she can help you find a suitable way to quit smoking.) 11. In addition, over-the-counter antacids containing magnesium or calcium may also help you relieve stomach discomfort, but be sure to consult a doctor before taking them, because some brands of antacids contain aluminum, aspirin or large amounts of sodium.

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