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Acid Reflux During Pregnancy - Causes and Prevention

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Acid reflux is a condition in which a backflow of contents occurs from the stomach to the esophagus. Several methods can avoid it.

Written by

Dr. Ancy Jose

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Natasha Bansal

Published At March 16, 2023
Reviewed AtJuly 11, 2023

Introduction

Acid reflux is a common condition seen in almost all pregnant women. In acid reflux, the contents from the stomach will flow back to the esophagus. It is seen more commonly when the size of the fetus grows and the months progress. It can start to appear at any time during the pregnancy. The frequency of occurrence increases during the third trimester. The third trimester means the last three months before the delivery.

This acid reflux can be avoided in many ways. It does not pose any threat to the life of the mother and the fetus. Acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux, is a serious form of acid reflux that occurs. Gastroesophageal reflux becomes a disease state when the frequency and symptoms of occurrence increase. Acid reflux will vanish after the delivery. If the patient had experienced any acid reflux before the pregnancy journey, they have a greater chance of having it again.

How Does Acid Reflux Occur, and What Are the Reasons for the Occurrence?

The esophagus and stomach are the parts of the gastrointestinal tract. The esophagus is the food pipe, which carries the food from the mouth into the stomach. An esophageal sphincter is a group of muscles present at the lower end of the esophagus. These muscles usually prevent the backflow of substances from the stomach into the esophagus. During pregnancy, the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes due to numerous causes leading to backflow of acid into the esophagus and acid reflux.

During pregnancy, many changes occur in a woman's body for the proper growth and wellness of the fetus. As part of the changes, extra hormones are secreted during the pregnancy. For example, progesterone, the pregnancy hormone, is produced at higher levels. This progesterone hormone causes the lower esophageal sphincter at the end of the esophagus to relax, leading to the backflow of contents from the stomach.

The increased progesterone hormone influences the overall digestion process. The progesterone slows down digestion, leading to several symptoms and acid reflux in the body.

The uterus expands when the months progress to accommodate the growing fetus. This expansion affects the organs present over there. As a result of the compression from the fetus and the uterus, the stomach acids are pushed into the esophagus leading to acid reflux. Acid reflux is seen more in the last months of the pregnancy.

What Are the Symptoms?

Pregnant women experience great difficulty with the symptoms associated with acid reflux. Symptoms are more common at night, varying from person to person. Each pregnant woman experiences different symptoms. The main symptom associated with acid reflux is a burning out-like sensation felt in the chest and breast area. It is often referred to as heartburn. It is mainly experienced during the last months of the pregnancy because the pressure is felt due to the growing fetus in the uterus. It causes a backflow of contents causing a burning sensation.

Due to this acid reflux, the patients may feel more vomiting sensation or an urge to vomit. The patient sometimes experiences an acidic taste in the mouth due to the acid coming back. Fullness or discomfort will be felt by the patients. When acid reflux becomes more frequent, it may cause inflammation of the esophagus and lead to difficulty swallowing. If this acid taste comes over to the esophagus and irritates the throat, pregnant women experience a cough.

How Is the Diagnosis Made?

Pregnant women will often have checkups with the healthcare provider to evaluate the growth of the fetus. For the proper diagnosis, the healthcare asks for the history of the disease state. The onset, duration, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and all. The doctor will ask whether the patient experienced this difficulty before the pregnancy. After taking a good history, the doctor diagnoses that acid reflux causes the problems. Usually, there are many diagnostic tools to rule out the disease condition. But during pregnancy, these diagnostic tests are not entertained because they will cause much more difficulty to the patient.

What Is the Treatment Plan?

Acid reflux during pregnancy can be treated in many ways. Some changes in daily routine help to get rid of symptoms caused by acid reflux. Some of them are listed below.

  • The diet plays an important role in causing acid reflux. Pregnant women are advised to take food in small intervals rather than having it all together. It helps to reduce acid reflux.

  • High fiber-rich and low carbohydrate food can be given to these patients.

  • The food substances which can cause acid reflux should be avoided. The food substances that should be avoided include tapioca, fried food substances, tomato, chocolates, and spicy food substances.

  • Live happily and avoid tensions; it also helps in controlling the symptoms.

  • Carbonated drinks should be avoided. It can provoke acid reflux in patients. The patients should have their food at least three hours before bedtime. So, it helps the digestion process, and no backflow of contents takes place.

  • Pregnant women are advised to place the head in an elevated position by adding extra pillows. It helps in preventing the backflow of the substances. Acid reflux can interrupt the sleep of the patients; it can be avoided by these techniques.

  • Eating ginger is considered a home remedy for acid reflux.

  • Ill-fitting or tight cloth should be avoided, which causes stomach tightening, which can cause acid reflux.

  • Limit the intake of coffee or avoid it till the delivery. The caffeine content present in it causes acid reflux and discomfort. High caffeine intake also causes serious health impacts on the growing fetus.

  • The food substances should be eaten slowly rather than fastly. It helps ease the digestion process.

  • Having fruits with citrus content can worsen acid reflux in pregnant women.

  • Avoid having long-standing or sitting postures for a greater duration of time.

  • Patients are advised to control their weight because obesity can lead to acid reflux.

  • Make exercise a part of life. It helps to get improvement from acid reflux, helps in easy digestion, and eases bowel movements during pregnancy. But avoid bending or exercising after having food; it can lead to acid reflux.

  • Make it a habit to drink water after the food rather than in between the food; it helps to control acid reflux.

  • Having curd with food or eating yogurt alone helps to reduce the symptoms.

  • Sugar-free chewing gums are proposed to reduce acid reflux symptoms when taken after the food.

Usually, the above-explained methods help relieve the symptoms caused by acidic reflux. However, if it goes unresolved by these methods, medications can be taken into consideration. Most of these medications are to be taken before having the food to relieve symptoms, and usually, symptoms worsen after having food.

  • Antacids are medications that are prescribed to patients to neutralize the acid produced.

  • Proton pump inhibitors are the other choice drug. It acts by blocking the acid production in the stomach. The commonly used drugs are Omeprazole and Pantoprazole.

  • Histamine blockers are also considered. It is known as H-2 blockers. It acts by decreasing the acid produced in the stomach. The mainly used drugs are Famotidine and Cimetidine.

These drugs are not for long-term usage as they cause many other problems in the stomach.

Conclusion

Acid reflux and associated symptoms are very common during the pregnancy journey. Several methods can overcome it, including dietary changes, sleeping positions, home remedies, and medication. Most of the symptoms subside with simple changes, as mentioned above. Medications are also very much effective in relieving the symptoms caused by acidic reflux. There is no need to panic, as acidic reflux does not cause any harm to the growing fetus. Enjoy the pregnancy journey; it is all a small part of it for the immense happiness waiting.

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Dr. Natasha Bansal
Dr. Natasha Bansal

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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