What Causes Heartburn During Pregnancy? How Does It Go Away?

Heartburn during pregnancy is one of the most common issues experienced by people worldwide. At the junction of the esophagus and stomach, there is a valve known as the lower esophageal sphincter. This valve opens in the direction from the mouth to the anus and prevents stomach acid from passing into the esophagus. Heartburn occurs when the flow direction at the level of the stomach and esophagus reverses. During pregnancy, heartburn occurs when stomach contents move towards the esophagus, causing irritation in the esophagus. If structural changes in the esophagus begin to affect the person's quality of life, a specialist doctor should be consulted. Although this condition varies between countries, it is seen in approximately 30% to 50% of pregnant women on average.

What Are the Symptoms of Heartburn During Pregnancy?

Heartburn during pregnancy often occurs when consuming fatty and spicy foods, eating more than a certain amount of chocolate, or drinking freshly squeezed fruit juices. The most common symptom of heartburn is a burning sensation that spreads from the stomach to the throat immediately after eating. This causes the stomach contents to move towards the mouth, making swallowing difficult. Symptoms of heartburn during pregnancy include:

Nausea, vomiting
Feeling full early while eating
Burning sensation in the stomach
Hiccups
Pain when swallowing
Chronic cough
Feeling the need to burp
Constipation
Bitter or sour-tasting fluids coming from the mouth
Restlessness and fatigue (although not the same for everyone)
Bloating in the stomach
Pain in the breastbone, chest, and upper abdomen
Waking up with acid in the esophagus, coughing, and choking while sleeping
Rarely, hoarseness and sore throat

These symptoms may appear intermittently rather than constantly. However, heartburn during pregnancy often occurs in the last three months of pregnancy and disappears after childbirth.

What Causes Heartburn During Pregnancy?

Heartburn during pregnancy does not occur throughout the entire pregnancy but on certain days. The reason for this is due to hormonal and mechanical effects. It is more common in women who become pregnant at a young age, have experienced heartburn in previous pregnancies, had mild heartburn symptoms before pregnancy, and have had multiple pregnancies. The incidence of heartburn is lower in older pregnancies. Therefore, the age of pregnancy and pre-pregnancy heartburn symptoms may vary with age. Additionally, the frequency of heartburn is higher in women undergoing IVF treatments. Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause relaxation of the valve between the stomach and esophagus and reduce the motility of the esophagus, slowing down the passage of food to the stomach. The growth of the uterus up to the 26th week increases the pressure on the stomach, causing stomach acid to escape into the esophagus. This situation has a slight effect on heartburn.

What Medications Are Used to Treat Heartburn During Pregnancy?

If there is no improvement even after providing the necessary nutrition and living conditions during pregnancy, medication treatment is initiated. For pregnant women with mild symptoms, antacids or sucralfate medications containing water-soluble substances, which are non-absorbable and affordable, are preferred. The medications used under doctor supervision for treating heartburn during pregnancy include:

Medications that prevent acid formation in the stomach
Acid pump inhibitors
H2 receptor inhibitors
Antacids with low sodium (to reduce acid intensity)

These medications help minimize mild, moderate, or severe heartburn problems.

What Relieves Heartburn During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, certain foods and medications can further trigger heartburn, while others aim to resolve this problem. Generally, the following help relieve heartburn during pregnancy:

Raw almonds, a low-acid nut,
Bananas with high fiber and pectin content, and low acid levels,
Oatmeal, which is also high in fiber,
Warm and non-fatty milk with honey in small amounts is rich in calcium and protein (Normal milk with high fat content can increase heartburn problems),
Ginger, which is good for the digestive system, in small amounts helps with heartburn, but in large amounts can worsen the problem.

These foods, containing natural and health-safe substances in small amounts, have various effects such as balancing acidity and soothing the stomach. After consulting a specialist doctor for heartburn issues, you can try these simple methods at home to minimize the problem.

How to Relieve Heartburn During Pregnancy with Natural Methods at Home?

Heartburn during pregnancy is a common problem, and dietary and lifestyle changes are often recommended before medication treatment. To prevent or reduce this problem, there are several measures you can take at home:

To avoid excessive stomach swelling, do not consume more than 2 to 2.5 liters of fluids per day; consume fluids with snacks, and these fluids should be at a moderate temperature,
Consume raw onions and garlic in small amounts,
Avoid foods like cream, mayonnaise, sauces, and clotted cream,
Reduce the consumption of pastries and sesame,
Choose low-fat milk and milk-based desserts,
Avoid foods with a high likelihood of causing reflux, such as chocolate, tomatoes, citrus fruits, fruit juice, mint, fatty and spicy foods,
Do not eat large amounts in one sitting,
Pay attention to your posture while sitting or lying down; avoid incorrect sitting positions like slouching or hunching over. Lie on your left side while sleeping,
Stop eating and drinking 2 to 3 hours before bed,
Keep your head elevated 10 to 15 cm above the bed,
Avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea,
Eat slowly and chew food well,
Avoid excessive weight gain,
Stay away from carbonated drinks.

If you experience heartburn during pregnancy, you can consult your doctor and minimize the problem with natural methods at home under your doctor's guidance. If these methods are ineffective for painful heartburn, you can start medication treatment with your doctor's guidance and follow an appropriate course of action.

Last Updated Date: 17 April 2024

Publication Date: 17 April 2024