WOW. This one is a bitch. One of two things will happen to you:
[1] You will have heartburn early on in pregnancy and suffer like a hero throughout
[2] You'll be a smartass like me and proudly dance around like a fairy on acid as you tell the world you didn't get heartburn...then you'll get it in the last ten weeks and you'll get it OH SO BAD and won't be able to tell anyone because you've been such an ass.
So, what is heartburn and why do you get it in pregnancy? "Heartburn is a burning sensation that often extends from the bottom of your breastbone up to your lower throat. It happens when acid from your stomach is brought up into your gullet (oesophagus). The acid may flow back up (reflux) into your throat or mouth, leaving a sour and bitter taste."
Translation: This isn't a sour and bitter taste, it's like molten lava infused with chilli.
What causes heartburn in pregnancy? "Hormonal and physical changes in your body during pregnancy can cause temporary symptoms such as heartburn and acid reflux. An increase in the hormone progesterone when you’re pregnant relaxes the smooth muscles of your womb (uterus). Experts believe this hormone also relaxes the valve that separates your gullet from your stomach. This allows gastric acids to seep back up your gullet, causing a burning sensation. Progesterone also slows down the wave-like contractions of your stomach, making your digestion sluggish. In later pregnancy, your growing baby pushes your intestines and stomach upwards. This slows digestion and forces acids up from your stomach into your gullet."
Translation: There's a flap that stops things coming back up. Progesterone stops it closing and what goes down mixes with acid and comes back up. In later stages, the incredible baby bulge moves all of your innards up and gives this a helping a hand to burn you further.
How do you avoid heartburn? There's an endless list but here are a few:
- Avoid high fat (no cake and steak)
- Don't smoke (if you are already then you are absolutely crazy anyway - i'm not preaching, I had to give up too on positive test day...deal with it.)
- Avoid sucking lemons (more likely if you're a smoker and just read my comments above)
- Eat little and often...think tapas but with less fun foods
- Eat 3 hours before bed...which for those of you still working full-time as I am, either eat as you do your last conf call or go to bed insanely late
- Don't get drunk...the advice says don't drink at all for a stack of reasons but alcohol is a huge trigger for this so avoid at all costs. The advice also says replace drinking with exercise but that's a step too far for me and enough to make me jump off Beachy Head
- Sleep sitting up...I know...but it works. Angle your pillows so you are not totally flat and it actually does make a difference
So what can you do once you have it? Gaviscon. It's a life-saver. Buy it in liquid, sachets, tablets...whatever, but buy it in volume. You may not need it today but when you do need it, in the dead of the night, you'll need it FAST!!! If this doesn't work, go to see your GP as there are prescription versions available that are stronger and safe to use in pregnancy. If you have Gestational Diabetes, you can get sugar-free Gaviscon. Liquids are sugar-free, tablets are not. Read more here.
If you're not into your hardcore drugs and prefer to take the hippie route there are a number of natural remedies.
Given some of the complexities of natural remedies, i'm at pains to type them here as many can induce anything from labour to cramps when used in pregnancy, but that's not to say they aren't amazing. Start here and Google would be my advice.
