Home remedies are widely available for heartburn during pregnancy, acid reflux or heartburn are common experiences among pregnant women. In this article we offer natural solutions.
The hormones secreted during pregnancy, progesterone and relaxin, cause relaxation of involuntary muscles. The valve (cardia muscle) between the esophagus and the stomach can not be closed completely and allows stomach acids to flow back up into the esophagus and create burns and discomfort in the chest. This occurs more frequently in later stages of pregnancy because the uterus can compress larger stomach and this aggravates symptoms.
Heartburn appears to worsen during times of stress, fatigue, or when lying curled up in a bed. A simple tip is to use a pillow to sleep in a semi-sitting position.
To prevent and reduce the symptoms of heartburn, practice the following:
- Eat slowly, chew each bite well, do not overload your stomach, go for small meals at frequent intervals. Try not to eat late at night, it would be better to take your meals in smaller portions and opt for a light evening meal. Opt for a salad accompanied by colorful vegetables and add some protein like chicken, salmon or eggs.
- Avoid fatty foods. Pay attention to the desserts, cream, mayonnaise, lawyers, chips,creamy cheese.
- Avoid irritating foods such as coffee, tea, alcohol, chocolate, soft drinks, tomato juice and spices.
- Remove sugary foods, desserts and the likes… Remember juice: even without sugar, it remains a beverage that contains carbohydrates.
- Practice breathing exercises that open the chest while decreasing stress (before meals, during the day, before falling asleep).
- Some foods seem to help some women: half a cup of rice, corn, whole grain bread, beans (white or red) or Japanese plum “Umeboshi” that aid digestion. Some have said that the potato juice is miraculous …
- Opt for alkaline foods (apricot, fig, date, olive green, grape, banana, cherry, peach, potato, beans, endive, watercress, almonds, etc.)
- What about yogurt or milk? Do they they help? In fact, for some people it will temporarily soothe heartburn, but dairy products can also cause stomach heartburn. So do the test: put dairy products aside for two weeks and see if there is an improvement in symptoms.
- Eat apple peels, pineapple or papaya after every meal. (papaya tablets can be purchased at a health food store)
- Chew organic orange peel a few minutes after every meal.
- Cardamom seeds, dill, caraway or anise can be prepared by decoction or you can just chew the seeds after meals or between meals if needed. To make a decoction: Place the seeds in cold water and boil for 10-30 minutes.
- Take one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a little hot water before meals.
- Drink an infusion of flaxseed. Boil one tablespoon of flaxseed in ¼ liter of water for 2-3 minutes. Sieve and drink hot or cold.
- Drink herbal tea frequently throughout the day. Choose a single plant or mix a few plants: fennel, Queens Meadow, marshmallow, chamomile, lemon verbena, lemon balm, plantain, licorice, lavender, orange peel and tangerine. Some plants are emollient and will soften, protect and heal irritated tissues of the digestive system. Traditionally, these plants are known to relieve irritation of the digestive mucosa.
- Make every meal a teaspoon of slippery elm powder. This plant is sweet and nutritious in addition to relieving irritated mucous membranes or inflammation. Infusion or mashed, it neutralizes acidity and soothes gastric Reflux. You can also find slippery elm lozenges in stores specializing in natural diet.
- Take biochemical salt natrum phos No. 10, three pellets three times a day as needed. It neutralizes acidity.
If after all these tips, heartburn persist, here are the seasoned advice of a licensed naturopath:
Adopting a better lifestyle remains the first actions to take to help with heartburn. Eating better, managing stress, resting, doing physical exercise is the basis of resolving any health problems. To help relieve your aches and pains of pregnancy or simply optimize your health, please consult a licensed naturopath. They will guide you through the various options available to you with smart and inspiring advice.