If you have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), heartburn’s nothing new, but treating it during pregnancy might be. Now that you’re expecting, ask your practitioner about whether the prescription meds you’re used to taking are still okay to take. Some are not recommended for use during pregnancy, but most are safe. Many of the tips for fighting heartburn can also help with your reflux.
Don’t pull the triggers. If a food or drink brings on the burn (or other tummy troubles), take it off the menu for now. The most common offenders (and you’re sure to know those that offend you) are spicy and highly seasoned foods, fried or fatty foods, processed meats, chocolate, coffee, carbonated beverages, and mint.
Take it small. To avoid digestive system overload (and backup of gastric juices), opt for frequent mini meals over three large squares. The Six-Meal Solution is ideal for heartburn and indigestion sufferers (see
page 91
).
Take it slow. When you eat too quickly, you tend to swallow air, which can form gas pockets in your belly. And rushing through meals means you’re not chewing thoroughly, which makes your stomach work harder digesting your food—and makes heartburn more likely to happen. So even when you’re starving or in a hurry, make an effort to eat slowly, taking small bites and chewing well (your mother would be proud).
Heartburn Today, Hair Tomorrow?
Feeling the burn bad? You may want to stock up on baby shampoo. New research has actually backed up what old wives have maintained for generations: The more heartburn you have during pregnancy, the more likely your baby will be born with a full head of hair. Implausible as it sounds, seems the hormones responsible for heartburn are the same ones that cause fetal hair to sprout. So pass the Tums, and the detangler.
Don’t drink and eat. Too much fluid mixed with your food distends the stomach, aggravating indigestion. So try to take most of your fluids in between meals.
Keep it up. It’s harder for gastric juices to back up when you’re vertical than when you’re horizontal. To keep them where they belong (down in your stomach), avoid eating while lying down. Or lying down after eating—or eating a big meal before bed. Sleeping with your head and shoulders elevated about 6 inches can also fight the gastric backup with gravity. Another way: Bend at the knees, not at the waist. Anytime your head dips, you’re more likely to experience burn.
Keep it down. Your weight gain, that is. A gradual and moderate gain will minimize the amount of pressure on your digestive tract.
Keep it loose. Don’t wear clothing that’s tight around your belly or waist. A constricted tummy can add to the pressure, and the burn.
Pop some relief. Always keep a supply of Tums or Rolaids at popping distance (they’ll also give you a healthy dose of calcium while they ease the burn), but avoid other heartburn medicines unless they’ve been cleared by your practitioner. Sick of antacids already? Try one of these burn-banishing folk remedies: a tablespoon of honey in warm milk, a handful of almonds, or some fresh or dried papaya.
Chew on it. Chewing sugarless gum for a half hour after meals can reduce excess acid (increased saliva can neutralize the acid in your esophagus). Some people find that mint-flavored
gum exacerbates heartburn; if so, choose a non-minty gum.
Don’t smoke (yet another reason to quit today, if you haven’t already).
Relax for relief. Stress compounds all gastric upset, especially heartburn, so learn to relax (see
page 142
). Also try some complementary and alternative medical (CAM) approaches, such as meditation, visualization, biofeedback, or hypnosis (see
page 85
).