Acid reflux in Pregnancy: Acidity has troubled you during pregnancy, so get relief from it with these remedies

Pregnancy can be an exciting time in many women's lives. The 9-month journey can be an exhilarating one, but for some women, it can also be a rollercoaster ride with many challenges. Most mothers-to-be put all their energy into keeping their baby healthy, but it is equally important to take care of your own health as well.

Dr. Alka Jain, MBBS MS (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) from Sehgal Neo Hospital, New Delhi said, “Acid reflux is very common during pregnancy. Its symptoms are usually mild, but it can still be troublesome. But it can be controlled. It is possible to get relief with necessary lifestyle and diet changes along with safe and effective antacids, but if the problem persists for a long time and becomes difficult to manage, then a doctor's consultation is recommended.

Dr. Jejoy Karan Kumar, Director of Medical Affairs at Abbott, said, “Every woman's pregnancy journey is different. At Abbott, we strive to create awareness on this and empower women to stay healthy during pregnancy. It is not so difficult to overcome problems like acid reflux by adopting healthy lifestyle habits. There are also solutions available to relieve the symptoms of acidity.”

A woman's body goes through various changes during pregnancy, from swollen ankles to morning vomiting, which is experienced by almost 70% of pregnant women in the world. Another common complaint during pregnancy is acid reflux or heartburn, which is a burning or swollen feeling in the chest. It is seen in 30 to 50% of pregnancies and affects 80% of women in their third trimester.

If you are wondering why it is common during pregnancy, then experts have given some specific reasons for it, which include changes in the body's hormones during this time. In the later stages of pregnancy, more pressure on the stomach from the baby can also be a reason. This can happen even if you eat a 'meal for two', as overeating increases the chances of indigestion.

Follow these measures to get relief from heartburn

1. Avoid these things

Do not eat things that cause acidity. These include fatty, fried items, spicy foods, chocolate, mints, and foods with a high acidic content (such as oranges, limes, lemons, and grapefruit). Also, avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks (such as coffee and soda). You should also stop smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Not only do they cause indigestion, but they can also affect the health of you and your unborn child.

2. Take a healthy diet

Take a healthy and balanced diet and pay attention to how you feel after eating different things, so that you can find out the reasons. Instead of eating more at one go, eat small amounts, because the problem of heartburn can increase further due to excessive quantity. Also, sit straight while eating, so that there is no extra pressure on your stomach.

3. Change sleeping habits

After eating, wait for 2 to 3 hours to sleep. For this, eat a little early in the night. Do not wear tight fitting clothes. Sleeping on the left side, keeping the head elevated and changing the posture can help you keep the symptoms of acidity at bay. Apart from this, any kind of disturbance in sleep can also cause acidity. So take at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily. For restful sleep, you can do yoga and meditation after consulting a doctor.

4. Identify the things that bring relief

There are also solutions to relieve heartburn, such as antacid medicines for acidity. If lifestyle changes don't relieve heartburn symptoms, see a doctor.

These measures can be helpful in keeping acidity under control during pregnancy.