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As much as 80% of expectant mothers have symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), especially heartburn, at some point during pregnancy.
While symptoms can cause discomfort during pregnancy, they rarely cause complications, such as inflammation of the oesophagus. Most of the time, symptoms of heartburn improve after the baby is born.
Acid reflux is a common occurrence during pregnancy, because hormones cause the digestive system to slow down. The muscles that push food down the oesophagus also move more slowly during pregnancy. Also, as the uterus grows, it pushes on the stomach and sometimes forces stomach acid up into the oesophagus.
Unfortunately, as the pregnancy progresses, incidence of reflux become more frequent and in some cases even severe. As the foetus grows during the second and third trimesters and the uterus expands to accommodate that growth, the stomach is under more pressure. During the third trimester, the growth of the baby can push the stomach out of its normal position, which can lead to heartburn.
Each woman is different and it depends on many factors, including your physiology, your diet, your daily habits, and your pregnancy.
Treating GORD during pregnancy
Treatment for GORD in pregnant women is much the same as treatment for other people who experience symptoms focusing first on lifestyle changes and non-prescription medicines.
Lifestyle modifications can prevent increases in intra-abdominal pressure and decreases in lower oesophageal sphincter pressure that promote reflux, but remember that relieving heartburn during pregnancy typically involves a period of trial and error.
Here's a list of suggestions to prevent and treat gastro-oesophageal reflux in pregnancy:
• Modify your eating habits. Avoid chocolate, caffeine and foods that have a lot of acid (like tomatoes and oranges). These food groups all lead to a decrease in lower oesophageal sphincter pressure.
• If your symptoms are worse after you eat a certain food, you may want to stop eating that food to see if your symptoms improve.
• It's best to eat several small meals instead of two or three large meals.
• Stop smoking.
• Elevate the head of your bed. Studies have documented that, compared with people who sleep flat on their backs, people who elevate the head of the bed have significantly fewer reflux episodes. The episodes that do occur are shorter and produce generally milder symptoms.
Use non-prescription antacids for relief of heartburn symptoms. Antacids that contain sodium bicarbonate shouldn't be taken by pregnant women, because these antacids can lead to fluid retention. Antacids that contain calcium carbonate are okay to take.
Along with making lifestyle changes and taking non-prescription medicines, some doctors may recommend the prescription drug sucralfate (Carafate) for treating GORD symptoms during pregnancy.
Most doctors recommend avoiding antacids that contain high levels of sodium, as these can lead to excess build-up of fluid in the tissues, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Also, avoid any that list aluminium on the label (as in “aluminium hydroxide” or “aluminium carbonate”), as they can be constipating.
Finally, stay away from medications like Alka-Seltzer that contain aspirin. Ask your doctor for the best option.
If the medicines you're prescribed aren't effective, your GP or midwife may refer you to a gastroenterologist (a doctor who specialises in treating conditions that affect the digestive system).
You may also be referred for specialist treatment if your GP or midwife thinks that your indigestion may be caused by an underlying condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (a long-term condition that affects the digestive system).
While symptoms can cause discomfort during pregnancy, they rarely cause complications, such as inflammation of the oesophagus. Most of the time, symptoms of heartburn improve after the baby is born.
Acid reflux is a common occurrence during pregnancy, because hormones cause the digestive system to slow down. The muscles that push food down the oesophagus also move more slowly during pregnancy. Also, as the uterus grows, it pushes on the stomach and sometimes forces stomach acid up into the oesophagus.
Unfortunately, as the pregnancy progresses, incidence of reflux become more frequent and in some cases even severe. As the foetus grows during the second and third trimesters and the uterus expands to accommodate that growth, the stomach is under more pressure. During the third trimester, the growth of the baby can push the stomach out of its normal position, which can lead to heartburn.
Each woman is different and it depends on many factors, including your physiology, your diet, your daily habits, and your pregnancy.
Treating GORD during pregnancy
Treatment for GORD in pregnant women is much the same as treatment for other people who experience symptoms focusing first on lifestyle changes and non-prescription medicines.
Lifestyle modifications can prevent increases in intra-abdominal pressure and decreases in lower oesophageal sphincter pressure that promote reflux, but remember that relieving heartburn during pregnancy typically involves a period of trial and error.
Here's a list of suggestions to prevent and treat gastro-oesophageal reflux in pregnancy:
• Modify your eating habits. Avoid chocolate, caffeine and foods that have a lot of acid (like tomatoes and oranges). These food groups all lead to a decrease in lower oesophageal sphincter pressure.
• If your symptoms are worse after you eat a certain food, you may want to stop eating that food to see if your symptoms improve.
• It's best to eat several small meals instead of two or three large meals.
• Stop smoking.
• Elevate the head of your bed. Studies have documented that, compared with people who sleep flat on their backs, people who elevate the head of the bed have significantly fewer reflux episodes. The episodes that do occur are shorter and produce generally milder symptoms.
Use non-prescription antacids for relief of heartburn symptoms. Antacids that contain sodium bicarbonate shouldn't be taken by pregnant women, because these antacids can lead to fluid retention. Antacids that contain calcium carbonate are okay to take.
Along with making lifestyle changes and taking non-prescription medicines, some doctors may recommend the prescription drug sucralfate (Carafate) for treating GORD symptoms during pregnancy.
Most doctors recommend avoiding antacids that contain high levels of sodium, as these can lead to excess build-up of fluid in the tissues, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Also, avoid any that list aluminium on the label (as in “aluminium hydroxide” or “aluminium carbonate”), as they can be constipating.
Finally, stay away from medications like Alka-Seltzer that contain aspirin. Ask your doctor for the best option.
If the medicines you're prescribed aren't effective, your GP or midwife may refer you to a gastroenterologist (a doctor who specialises in treating conditions that affect the digestive system).
You may also be referred for specialist treatment if your GP or midwife thinks that your indigestion may be caused by an underlying condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (a long-term condition that affects the digestive system).
