Heartburn during pregnancy: reasons. What are heartburn medications for pregnancy?

Up to 80% of women during pregnancy experience a feeling of discomfort or burning just above the stomach, in the upper abdomen, and simply - heartburn. It can occur repeatedly throughout the day, and each attack has a duration of several minutes or measured in hours. Sometimes heartburn has almost continuous character. At the end of pregnancy, this phenomenon, as a rule, goes by itself. But the inconveniences created by it, cause the need to find out why heartburn occurs during pregnancy, the causes of this condition and methods of fighting it.

When does heartburn occur?

The appearance of discomfort is noted in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy or in the second half, often at 30 weeks. Often heartburn begins to be felt after eating. It can also occur in a supine position or after physical activity that carries a load on the abdomen, including the torso of the trunk.

It can be accompanied by a feeling of nausea or eructation. Sometimes heartburn in late pregnancy is characterized by the appearance of unpleasant sensations, which do not depend on the consumption of food or drinks.

Causes of discomfort

The culprit of annoying burning in the lower part of the esophagus is the hormonal alteration of the organism that occurs during pregnancy. The growth in the blood of the concentration of hormones necessary for the successful carrying of the child affects all sensitive organs, and the digestive system is no exception.

Progesterone, relaxing smooth muscles and providing a normal tone of the uterus and fetal safety, also affects the lower sphincter of the esophagus, relaxing it. Normally, the compressed sphincter overlaps, like a valve, access to food and gastric juice from the stomach back into the esophagus.

When it is relaxed, some of the contents of the stomach can go up, irritating the mucous. This is the cause of heartburn in the early stages of pregnancy.

In the second half, one more factor is added: mechanical. The growing fetus and uterus, the volume of which is greatly increased, puts pressure on all organs inside the abdomen. In a state normal for the human body, the pressure in the stomach is higher than inside the chest cavity. Therefore, when during movement or with a change in the position of the body on the stomach there is an additional effect from other organs, its contents are thrown into the esophagus through the sphincter relaxed under the influence of hormones.

Heartburn during pregnancy, the reasons for which lie in the results of irritation of the esophageal mucosa with gastric contents, is only a symptom. The disease, accompanied by this symptom, is called reflux-esophagitis. It consists in irritation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus that falls on its lower third. The normal level of acidity of the medium (pH) for the esophagus is 6.0. The ingestion of acidic gastric juice into the lower part irritates the mucosa and provokes the inflammatory process.

Is heartburn dangerous?

The presence of heartburn during pregnancy does not affect its outcome in any way. Usually, unpleasant feelings go away after delivery, when the hormonal regulation of the body will be adjusted to lactation, and not to keep the child inside the mother's body.

During this period, the amount of progesterone will drop sharply, which is necessary for the formation of milk. As a consequence, the esophageal sphincter will return to normal, the irritation and discomfort caused by it will stop.

If there is a constant heartburn, the causes of which can be not only in hormonal changes, it is worth notifying your doctor about this. During pregnancy, there may be an exacerbation of sluggish and therefore not previously noticed diseases of the digestive system, in which heartburn is one of the symptoms. To choose the correct method for eliminating discomfort, a correct diagnosis is important, therefore, in the current situation, surveys necessary for its clarification can be assigned.

For example, esophagogastroduodenoscopy can be performed to study the state of the esophagus and stomach. If necessary, the duodenum can be examined. Also, the doctor should be notified if severe heartburn during pregnancy is felt. She may require medication.

Effects of progesterone

Progesterone, called the pregnancy hormone, performs several important functions during its course.

First of all, it prevents an unwanted miscarriage. Proteins growing in the uterus of the fetus are perceived by the mother's immune system as foreign. In such a situation, it will initiate attempts of the body to get rid of an extraneous object.

This reaction should be neutralized, but suppression of immunity during pregnancy is highly undesirable - because it also provides protection of the maternal organism from infections, and therefore protects the child. In such a contradictory situation, the "lifebuoy" is progesterone, which reduces the tone of the uterus, protecting the fetus.

The second function of progesterone is a change in the metabolism in the body of the mother, which allows him to cope with the additional burden. And in the late stages of pregnancy, this hormone affects the ligaments and tendons, protecting the child from birth trauma.

All of the above explains why heartburn during pregnancy and the inconveniences it creates are not so significant in comparison with the importance of progesterone for the safe bearing of a child and childbirth.

Heartburn during pregnancy: what to take?

When using drugs during pregnancy, it is necessary to take into account their influence on both the mother organism and the fetus. There are preparations against heartburn containing bismuth nitrate. For example, used in diseases of the stomach, vikalin and vicair.

Pregnant this substance is contraindicated. Before taking pills for heartburn during pregnancy, you should consult a doctor.

The same rule applies to traditional medicine. In addition to correcting the condition by taking medications, changes in diet and physical activity may be effective in controlling heartburn. Or, these measures can be a useful addition to drug treatment.

Simple ways to combat heartburn

1. The food should be fractional - it is better to eat more often, but in smaller portions. A small amount of food reduces the likelihood of it being ejected from the stomach. There is a need 5-7 times during the day, the last of which is not later than 3 hours before bedtime.
2. It should be excluded from the diet of fatty and fried foods, as well as strong tea, coffee and carbonated drinks. In addition to them, it is useful to refuse from rich broths (especially mushrooms), smoked products, fresh onions and garlic, black bread, pickles, marinades and sharp vegetable snacks, lemon juice.
3. Recommended food that reduces acidity and has an enveloping effect. The first breakfast can be started with jelly or oatmeal. Help in controlling heartburn can also mucous soups such as rice, soufflé from low-fat meat and poultry, steamed fish and soufflé from it.
4. You can eat soft-boiled eggs, porridge with cream, steam omelet. Bread is desirable only white and in the form of biscuits. Vegetables should be eaten with mashed or boiled, apples in the liver.
5. Do not drink while eating.
6. Avoid occupying a horizontal position and slopes 30-40 minutes after eating. Time after eating is better spent on a leisurely walk in the fresh air.
7. Clothes should be free, not tightening the abdomen.
8. It is necessary to monitor the regularity of the stool - it should be daily. With the probability of constipation - to include in the food sour-milk products and prunes.
9. Sleep should be so that the upper body was raised by 15-20 cm.
10. If heartburn in the early stages of pregnancy occurs in a prone position, you can try to remove the unpleasant sensations by drinking a glass of milk without getting up. To do this, you need to raise yourself slightly or turn gently on your side - so that you can disturb the stomach as little as possible by bending the trunk. Drink in this position.
11. It is necessary to avoid taking antispasmodics, which can cause relaxation of the lower food sphincter.
12. When performing health gymnastics, give up abdominal exercises.
13. Exclude deep torso of the trunk with any kind of physical activity. To fasten your shoes or pick something off the floor, it is worth crouching, and not bending over.

What does traditional medicine recommend?

Since the problem of an unpleasant state in expectation of a child has natural physiological causes, it is not new. To combat such a phenomenon as heartburn during pregnancy, folk remedies are represented by a wide range of recipes. Here are some of them.

Aromatherapy is effective in treating heartburn in pregnant women. Essential oil of citrus (lemon or orange) is used. Take 4 drops of aroma oil on a basis of a teaspoon of grape seed oil. This mixture is used for back massage (in its upper part), as an additive to the bath water and the inhalation of vapors. Aromatherapy can be used as an independent remedy, but you can supplement it with any medications used for heartburn during pregnancy.

Chamomile broth, thanks to a mild anti-inflammatory effect, can remove irritation from the mucous, eliminating discomfort. For its preparation take 3 tablespoons of dry chemist's chamomile, pour one glass of boiling water and allow to brew for 10-20 minutes. The resulting broth is filtered, the remains of the grass are squeezed. It should be drunk in small sips. The frequency of acceptance is three times a day.

10 gr. Herbs of a thousand -acres ordinary to soak with a glass of boiling water and after infusion, lasting 2-3 hours, strain and wring out. The broth should be taken up to 4 times a day, half an hour before meals. The dose for one reception is a tablespoon.

In the fight against heartburn, tea with ginger can help. To make it, you just need to add a pinch of ginger to the tea leaves for soft tea and drink at any time.

With prolonged heartburn, you can use powder of rhizomes of aira. Take it is recommended 3-4 times a day, for one reception - on a third of a teaspoonful.

Root carrots grate. Take inside without sugar, otherwise the effect may be opposite to desired.

Squeeze juice from one potato in any accessible way (using a grater and gauze or a juicer). Take 1 tablespoon at the first sign of heartburn. Ready juice should not be stored for more than 20 minutes, ideally it should be fresh.

In a glass of potato juice add a tablespoon of honey. Take 2 times a day for a glass - on an empty stomach and at night.

Decoction of flax seed has enveloping and anti-inflammatory effect. For its preparation, flax seeds are poured with a glass of boiling water at the rate of 1 tablespoon per glass of water, boil on low heat for 5 minutes, then insist for half an hour, stirring or shaking. Take up to 5 times a day, on a tablespoon.

Turning to the means of traditional medicine, it should be remembered that any decoctions used from heartburn during pregnancy are medicines, and each of them has its own shelf life. Cooked broth should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than a day. After this period, you should prepare a new portion. Violation of this rule can bring harm instead of the expected benefit.

Will soda help?

Soda is considered a traditional and simplest remedy for heartburn. However, in this case, as heartburn during pregnancy, the reasons for which lie in the changes in the physiology of the body, it is not only ineffective, but can lead to increased discomfort after a brief relief. When it is taken, the acid-base balance in the stomach changes, followed by the repeated production of gastric juice, and the discomfort state returns with renewed vigor. In addition, the sodium contained in the soda can cause the appearance of edema. Instead of soda, it is better to use non-carbonated alkaline mineral water, the effect of which is softer and does not lead to sharp acidity jumps.

Medicinal products

Medicamental treatment of heartburn should be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account individual indications and contraindications of each patient. When complaining about heartburn, he may inquire about the diet regime at the moment, and also whether it happened before pregnancy.

As a rule, drugs are prescribed when there is severe discomfort or lifestyle changes, and non-drug methods have not yielded results. If the patient has a persistent heartburn, the causes of which are not clear, before appointing a particular medicine, the doctor will conduct the necessary examination.

Among the drugs that are prescribed for pregnant women with heartburn, can be:

1. Antacids are drugs that neutralize gastric juice by lowering its acidity and thereby stop the irritation of the esophageal mucosa. They almost instantly eliminate painful symptoms. For example, tablets "Renny".
2. Alginates - drugs that suppress heartburn. Due to their structure, they can remain in the stomach for up to 4 hours, preventing it from appearing.
3. Medication "Ranitidine." Applicable only in cases where the two previous types of drugs are ineffective.
4. Covering agents, such as "Fofsfalugel", "Smecta", etc. They can be taken once when heartburn occurs, or a course of taking such medications is prescribed (3 times a day they are taken one hour after a meal, and the fourth time before bedtime).

Heartburn and Stress

Why is heartburn during pregnancy often after stress or emotional stress? The impact on the digestive system, which leads to the occurrence of heartburn, can not only have a mechanical or hormonal nature, but also a nervous one. On the one hand, with nervous overloads, spasms can occur that make it difficult to promote food. On the other hand, the stress state of the nervous system increases the sensitivity of the esophagus. As a result of this unpleasant sensations cause even small amounts of chemical stimulus.

Mentality of the pregnant woman in the first trimester against the background of hormonal changes varies significantly. Nervousness and sharp mood swings are noted, sensitivity to nervous loads increases. Under these conditions, heartburn is possible during pregnancy, the causes of which are composed of several factors, one of which is stress.

Taking into account the aforesaid, stressful situations should be avoided. The husband and other family members should provide the future mother with a calm friendly atmosphere and moral support, which will positively affect not only her health, but also the health of her future child.