How To Deal With Heartburn During Pregnancy

What does heartburn during pregnancy feel like?

If you have heartburn, you may:

Feel burning or pain in your chest.

Feel bloated or full.

Burp frequently.

Feel sick.

Bring up food.

How common is heartburn during pregnancy?

Pregnant women report severe heartburn in more than half of cases, especially in the third trimester. People who have previously given birth and those who previously experienced heartburn are more likely to experience it.

Causes of heartburn during pregnancy include:

Hormone levels changing: Your hormone levels change during pregnancy, affecting how you tolerate and digest foods. The hormones often slow down your digestive system. Food moves slower, causing bloating and heartburn.

Esophageal sphincter relaxing: Progesterone, known as the pregnancy hormone, can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax. When it relaxes, stomach acid can move up into the esophagus.

Uterus enlarging: As your baby grows, your uterus gets bigger. It can crowd your stomach and push stomach acids upward, into your esophagus. That’s why heartburn is more common during the third trimester, the last few months of pregnancy. The baby and uterus are biggest then, crowding your other organs.

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Many pregnant women experience the burning sensation known as heartburn. Learn how to cope with these smart strategies for relief.

Everyone knows heartburn, but no one knows it like a pregnant woman. Additionally, discomfort from pregnancy heartburn may occur throughout all three trimesters.

Rest assured that youre not alone. Nearly half of expectant moms have heartburn during pregnancy. The National Institutes of Health, a reliable source, treats gastroesophageal reflux disease during pregnancy. See all sources [1] for more information on pregnancy heartburn and treatment options.

Pregnancy Heartburn: Causes, Symptoms, and Foods that Help