Heartburn during pregnancy is a phenomenon that almost every mother faces. Usually it appears suddenly, thereby darkening the life of the pregnant woman. In this article we will talk about the causes of heartburn and what to do to eliminate it.

Reasons

Heartburn (acid dyspepsia) is a discomfort that manifests itself in the form of a burning sensation behind the sternum and spreads upward from the epigastric region. Sometimes an unpleasant sensation radiates to the neck area.

As a rule, heartburn occurs due to the release of gastric juice into the esophagus. Because of this, the sensitive mucous membrane is irritated and an unpleasant feeling of heat appears.

The release of acid occurs due to compression of internal organs. It is not uncommon for a burning sensation to occur after doing abdominal exercises or frequent bending, as well as with excess weight. While carrying a child, the growing fetus puts pressure on the organs, and this situation gets worse as the gestational age increases. It is for this reason that heartburn begins to plague pregnant women already from the second trimester. But on early stages It is extremely rare, so you should not take heartburn as a sign of pregnancy.

The esophagus is protected from the effects of stomach acid by the sphincter, which is why not every person suffers from heartburn. But under the influence of progesterone, the muscle tone of the esophagus is relaxed, which leads to the possibility of penetration of gastric juice into the esophagus. Also, increased intra-abdominal pressure and an enlarged uterus prevent tight closure of the sphincter.

A large number of hormones during pregnancy also affects the time the body needs for complete digestion. The muscle contractions that help move food down the esophagus are slowed down as a side effect of hormonal secretion. As a result, the process of digestion and breakdown of food takes a long time. This further contributes to indigestion and heartburn.

Most often, heartburn occurs after eating food, especially if it is fatty, fried or spicy. The duration of heartburn can range from several minutes to a couple of hours in a row. Some expectant mothers note that they experience heartburn constantly, regardless of food intake.

Quite often, heartburn overtakes a pregnant woman when she is in a lying position, so she has to sleep almost in a sitting position.

Symptoms

If before pregnancy the fairer sex often experienced heartburn, then during pregnancy the symptoms of acid dyspepsia worsen.

In the first trimester, heartburn rarely occurs in a pregnant woman (in the absence of chronic GERD), since the uterus small size, and it does not interfere with the work of neighboring organs or displace them.

In the second trimester, namely from the 20th week, heartburn begins to appear in most expectant mothers.

In the third trimester, heartburn has varying degrees of severity until the stomach “drops” (34-37 weeks). At this time the uterus has large size, as a result, it displaces the stomach and interferes with the movements of the diaphragm and peristalsis.

How to get rid of heartburn

Eliminating heartburn when you are in an “interesting situation” is quite simple. To do this, use medications labeled “non-absorbable antacids.” They destroy and absorb hydrochloric acid from the stomach, and also envelop its walls, relieving heartburn in a few minutes. The undoubted advantage of the drug is the lack of absorption into the blood.

Non-absorbable antacids contain potassium, magnesium, and aluminum. In the pharmacy from this series you can buy Rennie, Almagel or Talcid. But along with hydrochloric acid, these agents also absorb other substances. For this reason, you should not combine these medications with other medications.

Taking antacids contributes to the occurrence of constipation. But many modern medications do not have this side effect, for example, Rennie. This drug contains calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, which have a laxative effect.

Rennie also effectively copes with the symptoms associated with heartburn - nausea, bloating and belching. But due to the fact that magnesium can affect the development of the fetus, doctors advise against taking these drugs.

Often, products containing bismuth nitrate are used to treat heartburn. However, there is very little information about the effect of bismuth on the fetus. For this reason, it is advisable to refrain from using such drugs during pregnancy.

Treatment of heartburn should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. The specialist will prescribe necessary funds and the required dosage.

Folk remedies

Often, pregnant women use baking soda instead of pills to eliminate heartburn, but this is highly undesirable. And do you know why? The interaction of soda and gastric juice produces carbon dioxide, which has a pronounced juice-containing effect. Soda is easily absorbed into the blood, as a result of which the acid-base balance is disrupted, which leads to edema, which is already common in the second trimester.

If heartburn continues to bother you, but you don’t want to take pills at all, then use these tips traditional medicine. Below are some of them.

Infusion with heather

Ingredients:

common heather - 15 g;
water - 2 glasses.

Preparation: Fill the heather with water. Boil the composition for several minutes, then let the composition brew.

Usage: Drink the infusion 3-4 times a day, 20 ml.

Infusion with centaury

Ingredients:

centaury - 10 g;
water - 200 ml.

Preparation: Pour boiling water over the centaury. Leave the product for several hours and strain.

Usage: Drink 20 ml three times a day 30 minutes before meals.

If you suffer from severe and prolonged heartburn, then to eliminate it, take ⅓ teaspoon of calamus rhizome powder three times a day.

Before using folk remedies, be sure to consult your doctor.

The presence or absence of heartburn does not affect the development of the fetus. If possible, try to take as little medication for acid dyspepsia as possible. But if you can’t stand it, then try eating almonds, drinking mineral water or milk. Perhaps this will help you.

How to prevent heartburn

To prevent heartburn, it is enough to follow certain rules:

Do not use antispasmodic drugs, because they relax the esophageal sphincter, which subsequently leads to heartburn. Some herbs, such as mint, have a similar effect.
Get up from the table with a slight feeling of hunger, because overweight promotes the formation of heartburn.
Eat at least 6 small meals a day.
Chew your food well and eat slowly.
Drink milk, eat sour cream, lean meats and boiled fish.
Eat baked fruits; it is better to consume vegetables boiled.
Eat as much boiled beets and steamed prunes as possible. These foods will help prevent constipation.
Don't eat foods containing rough fiber. Eliminate fried, smoked and flour products from your diet, try to minimize the consumption of salt and spices.
Try to limit or completely eliminate refractory animal fats from your diet.
Stop drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking.
Eat your last meal 4 hours before bedtime, and it is advisable to prepare only light meals for dinner.
After eating, try not to lie down for a quarter of an hour so that the food leaves the stomach faster.
Sit only with a straight back.
Try not to perform movements or exercises that contribute to heartburn: bending deeply forward, tensing your abs.
Drink enough water between meals.
Avoid wearing tight clothing.

Pregnancy is, on the one hand, happiness for every woman. But, on the other hand, this is a lot of problems. Including health. Enlargement of the uterus at the end of the gestational period leads to a change in the relative position of internal organs, as in abdominal cavity, and in the pelvic cavity and chest.

Some women experience severe heartburn at the end of pregnancy.

At the end of pregnancy:

It becomes harder for a woman to breathe (the uterus compresses the diaphragm, the ability of the chest to expand decreases).
Posture is disrupted (the center of gravity of the body shifts, the muscles are in constant tension).
Problems with urination arise (the uterus puts pressure on the bladder, reducing its volume, the urge to urinate appears much more often than before).
Frequent dizziness appears (especially when lying on your back, as the uterus compresses the inferior vena cava and blood flow to the heart is disrupted).

In addition, the pregnant uterus significantly changes the motor-evacuation ability of the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to conditions for abnormal movement of food, reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus and heartburn. In the general population, the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease reaches 45%. According to other studies, the greatest prevalence of this problem is observed in the United States (29%), Sweden (17%), Great Britain and Spain (10% each).

Heartburn in the third trimester of pregnancy occurs with an even greater frequency than in non-pregnant women of the same age and men.

The frequency of its occurrence increases significantly if a woman has problems with excess weight, takes certain medicines(calcium channel blockers, β-blockers), has an addiction to coffee, chocolate, fatty foods or fruit juices. If symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux were already observed before pregnancy, then the last trimester is accompanied by a significant increase in its manifestations.

Mechanisms of disease

Reflux occurs when the cardia is insufficient

The main manifestation of gastroesophageal disease in pregnant women is heartburn. Heartburn refers to an unpleasant sensation, discomfort, burning behind the lower and middle third of the sternum, which can rise from the upper abdomen all the way to the neck. Gastroenterological science has identified several key causes of heartburn and other symptoms of reflux:

Inability of the lower esophageal sphincter to fully perform its function.
Rejection of the contents of the duodenum and stomach into the esophagus.
Reduced rate of normal cleansing of the esophageal mucosa.
Decreased ability of esophageal mucus to neutralize gastric acid.

In the body of a pregnant woman, prerequisites for all of the above disorders develop. Most women experience heartburn in the early stages of pregnancy. However, by the 3rd trimester its frequency and intensity increase significantly. Given the extreme prevalence of heartburn during pregnancy, many women and obstetricians-gynecologists do not consider it a serious problem. Moreover, there is an opinion that this is a normal and expected phenomenon. Some scientists suggest identifying a separate symptom - heartburn in pregnant women - as one of the usual manifestations of pregnancy.

Pregnancy has a serious impact on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Hormonal changes the body leads to a decrease in the mechanical function of the intestine - peristalsis (due to a decrease in the sensitivity of intestinal cells to serotonin, histamine). The overall tone of intestinal smooth muscles also decreases under the influence of high levels of progesterone. In addition, progesterone reduces the anti-inflammatory effect of cells in the gastrointestinal tract and exacerbation of previously compensated diseases (chronic gastritis, pancreatitis, colitis) occurs. An increase in intra-abdominal pressure leads to disruption of coordination between the work of the stomach, small and large intestines.

Progesterone reduces LES tone

Changes in the composition of the normal microbial flora of the gastrointestinal tract deserve special attention. Hormonal changes that begin in the first trimester reach their peak towards the end of pregnancy. Disturbances occur in water-electrolyte and carbohydrate metabolism, which has a beneficial effect on the growth of microorganisms that contribute to increased acidity in the upper sections digestive system. Together with mechanical disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system, this leads to an increasingly frequent occurrence of heartburn symptoms.

What causes heartburn?

Changes in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract during pregnancy are manifested not only by heartburn. This symptom is the most noticeable. However, there are a number of other manifestations that should be paid attention to and the correction of the body’s condition should be coordinated together with an obstetrician-gynecologist and gastroenterologist.

If there is a significant disturbance in the condition of the digestive tract, vomiting may accompany heartburn in the third trimester. Its severity varies significantly: from isolated episodes to extremely severe, accompanied by constant nausea, repeated, daily vomiting.

If vomiting is uncontrollable, leads to a disturbance in general well-being, and a decrease in the daily volume of urine, then it is necessary to urgently seek medical help.

Often, the symptoms of gastroesophageal disease in pregnant women are accompanied by other diseases that have the same causes and require complete and timely treatment. Symptoms from the hepatobiliary system come to the fore here. Compression of the bile ducts by an enlarged uterus leads to cholestasis in pregnancy. It is manifested by the appearance of a feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium, heartburn is accompanied by bitterness in the mouth, a yellow coloration of the sclera and skin, and skin itching may appear. If there was chronic cholecystitis before pregnancy, then during pregnancy it often worsens and the question arises about the need for surgical treatment.

Cholestasis in pregnancy most often occurs during the third trimester

How can heartburn be complicated?

In most cases, heartburn during pregnancy is temporary. It causes trouble until its underlying cause disappears. That is, until delivery. However, there are a number of situations in which you cannot choose a wait-and-see approach, but rather more drastic measures should be taken.

First of all, we are talking about uncontrollable vomiting during pregnancy. The relationship between the frequency and severity of heartburn and vomiting in the third trimester of pregnancy has not been fully established. However, the undeniable fact remains that these two symptoms go hand in hand. Severe vomiting is accompanied by the loss of large amounts of fluid and electrolytes. This leads to dehydration and a decrease in the concentration of chlorine ions in the blood. These changes can negatively affect not only the woman’s well-being, but also the condition of her child.

Despite the fact that in most cases after childbirth, heartburn and other manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease disappear on their own, in some women these symptoms persist. In this case, they say that pregnancy was the impetus for the development of reflux. In the future, the woman may suffer from heartburn and other dyspeptic disorders for a long time.

How to fight and how to treat?

The main goal of treating heartburn is to stimulate the body's protective factors against the aggressive influence of gastric juice on the esophageal mucosa and reduce the severity of gastroesophageal reflux. Details of how to treat heartburn during pregnancy in the third trimester should be discussed in each individual case by the attending physician. Universal recipes are not suitable for every woman.

Treatment should always begin with training in food hygiene and behavioral rules. In most cases, you can get rid of heartburn during pregnancy if you do not lie down or bend over for 2-3 hours after eating. It is also recommended to sleep with the head of the bed slightly elevated.

The selection of drugs from the group of H2-histamine blockers, proton pump inhibitors or antacids should be made by a doctor after a full examination, weighing all the risks for the body of the mother and child.

If heartburn in the early stages does not bother every woman, then avoiding this fate is later almost impossible.

This condition cannot harm the health of the baby or his mother, but it brings significant discomfort. Therefore, heartburn in the third trimester during pregnancy should be excluded.

The main cause of this symptom is considered to be the reflux of gastric juice along with small food particles back into the esophagus.

This process occurs in all pregnant women and is very often considered absolutely normal. It completely disappears after childbirth.

Reasons

Heartburn can occur at different stages of pregnancy. Each woman's discomfort has its own intensity.

The reasons that cause a condition such as heartburn in the first months of pregnancy are associated with an increase in the amount of the hormone progesterone.

Due to the action of this hormone, the muscles of the uterus and organs relax gastrointestinal tract.

When these lower esophageal sphincter muscles weaken, food moves into the esophagus and then back into the mouth.

Heartburn in the third trimester of pregnancy occurs due to the increase in size of the baby. It begins to put pressure on internal organs, including the stomach.

The burning sensation can be very severe if:

Large baby.
Several fruits.
Polyhydramnios.

Additional causes of heartburn during pregnancy at this stage are the following disorders:

Excessive consumption of junk food, fried, smoked or salted.
If a woman takes a horizontal position after eating food, then heartburn is guaranteed.
Alcoholic and carbonated drinks are strong irritants.
Overeating. If you eat large amounts of food or if it contains a lot of calories, this condition may occur.
Heartburn during pregnancy in the third trimester can occur if you bend down suddenly or quickly or lift something heavy.
With exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms

Heartburn in the third trimester occurs for almost the same reasons as in earlier periods.

The main symptoms that appear are:

Painful sensations of varying intensity.
Bitter taste in the mouth.
Intense cough.
Increased sweating.
Bloating.
Feeling of heaviness.
Problems with stool. Constipation alternates with diarrhea.

General principles of rehabilitation therapy

Heartburn cannot be completely eliminated during pregnancy. Especially in later stages, when the baby has increased in size and puts pressure on the uterus. But it is necessary to get rid of the manifestation of this condition.

First of all, you need to track your nutrition. You should exclude all foods that can cause heartburn during pregnancy. It is smoked, fried, fatty or salty.

It is advisable to eat often, but in small portions each time. Be sure to drink plenty of water.

But you need to drink it 20 minutes before meals. After this, do not drink for 60 minutes.

You can relieve heartburn with tea. For example, it should be light chamomile or rosehip tea.

Also, during pregnancy, it is very useful to eat milk, foods rich in fiber, as well as plant foods grown at home and without preservatives.

You need to have dinner a few hours before bedtime. If hunger prevents you from falling asleep, then you should eat an apple, drink a glass of milk or kefir.

It is important to additionally monitor your posture. In the last trimester, before giving birth, this is especially difficult to do. Why? The fetus is already quite large, so the lower back begins to take on the load.

You need to watch your back both during the day and at night. You should sleep with your head elevated.

How to treat and how to get rid of

Heartburn on long term Pregnancy can be eliminated using the following methods:

Implementation of recommendations.
Application of traditional medicine methods.
Get rid of heartburn with medications.

You can use any of the options proposed, but it is better to combine them.

Almagel. This is a drug whose main active ingredients are magnesium and aluminum. It works for 60-90 minutes. This medication is not considered potent.
Rennie. A drug that is considered absolutely safe for both the health of the mother and the life of the baby. For pregnant women, this medicine can be prescribed at completely different stages of pregnancy.
You can get rid of heartburn with the help of Phosphalugel. But it can only be used for a short time. When consumed, essential microelements are washed out of the body, and constipation occurs.
Gestid. Intended for frequent use during pregnancy. Side effects from this drug were not detected.
Rennie. The most popular because it is the safest. You can take it in the early stages of pregnancy and in the last trimester. The main active ingredients are magnesium and calcium carbonate.

Each of these drugs is designed to reduce acidity levels. Additionally, they envelop the gastric mucosa, which is a good prevention of erosion.

They do not harm the child and are not aimed at changing the acid-base balance in the body.

It is necessary to take medications, even those that are absolutely safe for the health of mother and baby, in the last trimester only under the close supervision of a doctor.

Application of folk knowledge

Subject to availability allergic reaction or if a woman is afraid of harming her child, it is necessary to use methods of struggle from the people's piggy bank. They will help you quickly and effectively get rid of heartburn:

Milk. The simplest and effective remedy. It helps to get rid of the symptoms of heartburn if you take milk in small quantities throughout the day. You need to drink a glass of milk a day.
Kissel. It should be thick. It coats the walls of the stomach, thereby lowering the acidity level. It also serves as a good prevention of erosions on the walls of the stomach.
Juice from home vegetables. Suitable juice from cabbage, potatoes, carrots or beets. For heartburn, you need to take only freshly squeezed juice and only from one vegetable. Moreover, if there are problems with the pancreas, juice from potatoes or cabbage is taken for two weeks. Other versions of the healing drink can be taken in courses, taking a short break between them.
Herbal decoctions and teas. This can be a decoction of fennel, heather, as well as tea with ginger and chamomile, which ideally help eliminate painful sensations. But some types of herbs are not approved for use during pregnancy.
Still mineral water. It helps to get rid of heartburn very quickly. You can also treat heartburn with alkaline table water. For example, it could be “Polyana Kvasova” or “Borjomi”.

Preventive measures

If a woman is familiar with what will happen to her body during pregnancy, then it is advisable to follow preventive measures from the beginning of pregnancy.

Maximize your intake of protein foods and fish. They enrich the body with fatty acids and iodine. This is very important for the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
When preparing food during pregnancy, you should use a minimum amount of salt. This helps relieve the kidneys.
Eat porridge. For example, oatmeal or buckwheat. Oatmeal cooked with milk and a little honey coats the stomach walls well. There is a decrease in acidity levels and, accordingly, prevention of heartburn. But porridges need to be alternated.
Remember to drink plenty of fluids. For 10 kilograms of weight you need to drink 300 grams of water in winter or 400 grams in summer. You should also remember that the body needs clean water without any impurities. In this case, heartburn will become a rare companion.
In the last trimester, if you have intense heartburn, it is advisable to eat more vegetables and fruits. They can be boiled, steamed, in the oven or in a slow cooker.

It is also important to wear loose clothing that will not put pressure on your stomach. Also, one of the reasons why heartburn occurs is the use of pain medications.

They help weaken the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. It is not recommended to go to bed hungry, so before bed you can treat yourself to natural yogurt, sour cream, milk or kefir.

Useful video

Almost every person has encountered such an unpleasant sensation as heartburn. For most women, during pregnancy, this annoying phenomenon becomes a constant companion for several months.

Grandmothers assured that the cause of heartburn during pregnancy was excessive “hairiness” of the fetus. These observations have not received scientific confirmation, although the women themselves draw a parallel between their heartburn and the curly-haired baby they were born with. Doctors believe that during pregnancy, heartburn occurs due to normal physiological processes.

Causes of heartburn

Heartburn is manifested by pain and a specific burning sensation in the sternum, in the upper part of the stomach and esophagus. Sometimes there is a sour taste in the mouth. Such sensations are the result of acidic stomach contents getting into the delicate mucous membrane of the esophagus.

Why is the contents of the stomach not retained inside?

The main “culprit” is considered to be the gestation hormone progesterone. Its task is to prevent tension in the hamstring muscles and keep them relaxed. But along the way, it weakens other smooth muscles of our organs. These include the sphincter - a kind of valve that closes the entrance to the stomach. That is why the acidic environment of the stomach splashes into the esophagus and irritates its lower section.

the growing uterus compresses and displaces all internal organs. If the amount of food was excessive and the stomach is full, food may not be retained inside and may back up into the esophagus.

Excessive weight gain creates increased abdominal pressure, which also provokes heartburn.

In addition to pregnancy-related causes, heartburn often indicates the presence of gastrointestinal diseases. If a woman had gastroenterological problems before pregnancy, then during the months of bearing a child they will worsen and intensify.

Heartburn during early pregnancy

Mostly, heartburn attacks begin to bother women after the 20th week, when the weight and volume of the uterus increase noticeably. But sometimes heartburn appears almost from the first weeks after conception. The attacks occur immediately after eating and go away after some time. Heartburn often manifests itself during rest, when a woman is lying down. Doctors claim that the main reason for such manifestations at the beginning of the first trimester is diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Another reason is considered to be early toxicosis. Regular vomiting irritates the walls of the esophagus and causes heartburn attacks. Especially if a pregnant woman’s diet includes fatty and spicy foods. Here you can advise adjusting your diet and eliminating some foods that the body “doesn’t like.”

Heartburn during pregnancy in the third trimester

From the second trimester to the prenatal weeks, heartburn begins to plague most women. In each case it manifests itself differently. For some, it goes away after some time after eating, for others it can last around the clock and worsen during sleep. Some people can relieve an attack with home remedies, while others will need medications. It is believed that the causes of severe heartburn in the third trimester are: large fruit or breech presentation, in which the baby's head constantly presses on the mother's stomach.

In any case, heartburn is considered a problem that needs to be eliminated. Directly negative influence It does not affect the fetus, but it significantly complicates a woman’s life. As a result expectant mother may refuse necessary foods, eat little for fear of severe attacks, and have trouble sleeping. Fatigue and depressed mood can indirectly affect the development of the fetus.

Fear of taking medications during pregnancy should be balanced and justified. After all, regular heartburn without treatment leads to complications. First, the mucous layer of the esophagus and its upper layers are affected. The inflammation then spreads deeper and leads to a peptic ulcer of the esophagus. Therefore, a woman often requires consultation not only with a gynecologist, but also with a gastroenterologist. Especially if problems with the digestive system were observed before pregnancy, and continue to bother you after childbirth.

How to get rid of heartburn at home

Heartburn attacks are eliminated in several ways. It is better to use them together, then medications will not be required. To do this you need to know:

How to eat?

What can and should you eat?

What can and cannot be done after eating?

In answer to the first question, the following recommendations are given:

When answering the second question, you need to know what foods are recommended when heartburn occurs:

products with an alkaline reaction (dairy products, omelettes, fish, boiled meat, white bread). Vegetables must be boiled, baked, and ground.

reduce or eliminate fried, spicy foods, marinades and sauces, sour fruits and juices, carbonated drinks. Tea and coffee should be in limited quantities. Difficult to digest foods are kept to a minimum (pork, smoked fish and sausage, mushrooms, some animal fats).

include beets, pumpkin, and prunes in your diet to prevent constipation.

Few people think that ordinary physical activities can lead to heartburn. In order not to provoke attacks, it is enough to know what you should not do and what is strongly recommended:

Do not go to bed or rest immediately after eating.

If bed rest is prescribed, meals are taken in a sitting position.

bending, squatting, and squatting increase compression of the stomach by the growing uterus.

avoid excessive slouching, in which the internal organs compressed by the uterus are subjected to even greater pressure.

don't sleep on your back. The best position to sleep during pregnancy is on your left side. It has been proven that this position reduces the likelihood of acid escaping into the esophagus, while improving blood supply to the placenta and kidneys.

If possible, sleep with your head and upper torso on an elevated pillow.

If an attack of heartburn has already begun, you can try to block it with the help of products that can be found in any home:

eat a piece of raw potato.

Soak a spoonful of buckwheat, peas, oat flakes; when they are swollen, chew them thoroughly.

Peppermint lozenges or tablets relieve the burning sensation briefly.

drink a glass of milk, preferably warm.

Carrot juice or grated carrots will also relieve the burning sensation.

Unroasted nuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds produce an enveloping effect.

mineral water, alkaline, without gas.

Favorite by many, soda has a quick and effective effect. But it can be used once, since it promotes the production of a new portion of hydrochloric acid and a new attack of heartburn.

Medicines to treat heartburn

All medications to relieve heartburn attacks do not actually cure, but only relieve symptoms. Only those medications that are not absorbed into the blood, but have only a local effect, are acceptable for use, and therefore are harmless to the baby. These include Almagel, Maalox, Rennie, Gaviscon. They are collectively called non-absorbable antacids. Their purpose is to neutralize hydrochloric acid. Experts recommend choosing drugs containing magnesium, which simultaneously have a laxative effect.

Heartburn during late pregnancy manifests itself very often and is observed in a large number of expectant mothers. Some women feel similar discomfort throughout the entire nine months of bearing a child.

In most cases, the appearance of such a sign is caused by physiological factors rather than pathological ones. This is often explained by poor nutrition and the large size of the baby, which greatly compresses the internal organs and leads to their displacement.

Treatment of heartburn at 40 weeks of pregnancy is somewhat different from the treatment of a similar symptom in the early stages of pregnancy. Representatives of the fairer sex are allowed to take certain medications, as well as use traditional medicine.

Etiology

A large number of predisposing factors can cause discomfort and discomfort in the chest, but the main one is disruption of the functioning of the esophageal sphincter. Active intrauterine growth of the fetus leads to stretching of the walls and weakening of the valve muscles. This is due to the growing uterus, which puts pressure on nearby organs, including the stomach, and under the pressure of the uterus, gastric juice has no other way out but to penetrate back into the cavity of the esophagus and irritate the mucous membrane of this organ. It follows from this that heartburn is rather mechanical in nature.

However, there are several other reasons that lead to the appearance of heartburn in the last period of pregnancy:

frequent episodes of overeating. Many people mistakenly believe that a pregnant woman should eat a lot, and this is one of the main reasons for the formation of such a sign;
addiction to junk food, namely too fatty and spicy dishes, as well as smoked meats, sweets and highly salted foods;
the habit of performing active movements or taking a horizontal position of the body immediately after eating food;
drinking large amounts of carbonated drinks or strong coffee during meals;
wearing excessively tight clothing by a pregnant woman, which compresses not only the fetus, but also the stomach;
addiction to bad habits, which in itself is extremely harmful to the health of the expectant mother and baby;
hormonal changes - during pregnancy, a woman’s body produces large amounts of progesterone. This hormone, which is necessary for full development fetus, has a relaxing effect on the sphincter;
an increase in intra-abdominal pressure - pregnancy, this is one of the few phenomena that can lead to a similar process;
incorrect or uncomfortable sleeping position;
influence stressful situations, as well as anxiety before future births;
taking certain groups of medications. Despite the fact that there are several medications approved for use by women during pregnancy, non-compliance with the dosage and their prolonged use can cause heartburn.

In addition, some gastrointestinal diseases that occur in a chronic form and worsen during pregnancy can cause heartburn in late pregnancy. Among such diseases are duodenal or gastric ulcers, as well as gastritis, regardless of etiology.

Symptoms

The symptoms that may accompany heartburn in the third trimester of pregnancy are practically no different from the signs of a similar process in the earlier stages of pregnancy.

The main manifestations include:

a feeling of strong or moderate heat and burning in the chest area, which can spread throughout the esophagus and extend into the throat;
pain syndrome of varying intensity;
belching with an unpleasant sour odor;
the appearance of a bitter taste in the mouth;
severe coughing attacks;
profuse sweating;
increased gas formation;
feeling of heaviness and fullness in the stomach. This is due to the fact that during pregnancy the processes of food digestion slow down significantly;
disruption of the defecation process, which is expressed in alternating constipation and diarrhea.

Such symptoms can be expressed by a significant degree of intensity, which depends on how conscientiously the expectant mother follows preventive recommendations.

Treatment

Neutralization of belching at 39 weeks of pregnancy is carried out in several ways:

taking approved medications;
compliance with nutritional rules;
using traditional medicine recipes.

If such an unpleasant manifestation as heartburn causes a woman significant discomfort, then the doctor may prescribe the use of certain medications, namely:

Rennie is one of the most safe medicines, which can be taken by pregnant women regardless of the period. This substance is made on the basis of magnesium and calcium carbonate;
Almagel is an antacid consisting of aluminum and magnesium. The duration of its action is one and a half hours, which is why the drug will help neutralize moderate heartburn, but is not suitable for long-term use;
Maalox – distinguishing feature such a medicine is that it can weaken painful sensations, which are often accompanied by heartburn;
Phosphalugel - in addition to its main effect, it is a sorbent, which is why it is not suitable for long-term use. Among side effects– constipation and leaching of substances beneficial to the body from the body;
Iberogast is a herbal preparation. However, it should be used only when it is impossible to use other medications, because it is available as an alcohol tincture;
Gestide is one of the few drugs that is suitable for frequent use and is easily tolerated by the body, since it has virtually no side effects;
Gaviscon.

Such medications are aimed at reducing the acidity of gastric juice. In addition, they envelop the mucous membrane, do not harm the child, since they are not absorbed by the blood, and also do not change the acid-base balance. Despite the fact that such drugs are approved for heartburn at 38 weeks of pregnancy and later, you should not take them on your own.

Traditional medicine is widely used to relieve heartburn during pregnancy. Such treatment may include:

Milk is effective means
for heartburn during pregnancy

freshly squeezed potato juice;
milk;
grated carrots;
raw pumpkin and sunflower changes;
medicinal tea based on chamomile and ginger;
flaxseed jelly;
aloe juice with honey;
decoction of heather and fennel;
thoroughly washed and crushed boiled egg shells;
centaury and calendula;
chamomile and mint;
chopped nuts without peel;
alkaline waters without gas.

Prevention

To avoid heartburn during pregnancy in the third trimester, it is best for females to follow the following rules:

eat food often, but in small portions;
chew food thoroughly;
enrich the diet with vitamins and nutritional components;
lead healthy image life;
visit more often fresh air. Walking after meals is especially important;
completely exclude spicy, fatty and salty foods, as well as sweets and confectionery from your diet;
try to eat your last meal two hours before bedtime;
It is best to sleep on your back, so that your head and shoulders are slightly higher than your body and lower limbs;
wear only loose clothing that will not put pressure on your stomach;
drink liquids separately from meals;
minimize the use of medications.

Since the causes of heartburn, the degree of its manifestation and accompanying symptoms vary, the elimination of this manifestation in pregnant women will be of an individual nature.

Similar materials

Heartburn and belching in most cases bother people of any age group and gender immediately after eating. Their occurrence can be triggered by a wide range of factors, from eating a large amount of fatty foods to pathologies of the digestive system.