When you’re pregnant, your body undergoes lots of changes to grow a healthy baby.
One of the unfortunate side effects can be heartburn.
Heartburn can affect anyone, but heartburn during pregnancy is especially common.
“The uterus pushes up, increasing pressure on the stomach,” says Bassett-Novoa.
Progesterone relaxes the smooth muscle tissue of the digestive tract.
“Hormonal changes also slow down the movement of food through the esophagus and stomach,” adds Bassett-Novoa.
Specific foods also may contribute to heartburn.
Limit canned tomatoes and tomato sauces, vinegar, acidic dressings and citrus fruits.
If you notice that fatty foods trigger your heartburn, eat them infrequently and serve up small portions.
Onions, garlic and black pepper are a few common spicy food triggers for heartburn.
Coffee is also a highly acidic beverage.
Bassett-Novoa also recommends ginger, which helps with nausea and vomiting too.
Just be sure you’re consuming real ginger, and not ginger ale, made without real ginger.
Some women like homemade ginger tea, ginger added to soups or stir-fries or gingery candies.
Bassett-Novoa recommends antacids, such as Tums, as the first step.
“If those don’t work, medications can be prescribed,” she said.
As always, check with your doctor before taking any medications (even over-the-counter meds) while pregnant.
