What does it mean when you have heartburn during pregnancy

Apr 06, 2016 1:00 AM

Author: Libby Mitchell

This baby has great hair. Does that mean her mother had great heartburn during pregnancy?

The viral photo posted to Instagram by Isabelle Kaplan is reviving interest in the old wives’ tale that women who have severe heartburn during pregnancy are more likely to have babies with lots of hair. There is one study that points to there being some truth to this correlation, but most of the evidence is anecdotal.

“The study published in Birth in 2006, which concluded, contrary to expectations, that there is an association between the severity of heartburn during pregnancy and the amount of hair a newborn had,” says Leissa Roberts, DNP, CNM, associate dean and a certified nurse midwife in the University of Utah College of Nursing. “This was a small study with only 64 participants.  This simple link does not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.”

It is more likely that while baby hair doesn’t cause heartburn, the hormones that cause it to grow do. “Other studies have shown the hormones of pregnancy relax the esophageal sphincter, contributing to heartburn,” says Roberts. “It could be these same hormones that contribute to fetal hair growth.”

Regardless of the validity of the heartburn-to-hair connection, hearing the old wives’ tales surrounding pregnancy is always fun. “They are usually associated with gender, and when you are correct 50 percent of the time, it is easy to see why they are perpetuated,” says Roberts. “Nevertheless, one of the wonderful aspects of pregnancy is to dream about who the new little person you are welcoming into your life is, and how much hair will they have!”

pregnancy midwives

It’s called heartburn, although that burning feeling in your chest has nothing to do with the heart. Uncomfortable and frustrating, it bothers many women, particularly during pregnancy.

The first question you may have is how to make it stop. You may also wonder if treatments are safe for your baby. Learn what causes heartburn during pregnancy and what you can do about it.

During normal digestion, food travels down the esophagus (the tube between your mouth and stomach), through a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), and into the stomach.

The LES is part of the doorway between your esophagus and your stomach. It opens to allow food through and closes to stop stomach acids from coming back up.

When you have heartburn, or acid reflux, the LES relaxes enough to allow stomach acid to rise up into the esophagus. This can cause pain and burning in the chest area.

During pregnancy, hormone changes can allow the muscles in the esophagus, including the LES, to relax more frequently. The result is that more acids may seep back up, particularly when you’re lying down or after you’ve eaten a large meal.

In addition, as your fetus grows during the second and third trimesters and your uterus expands to accommodate that growth, your stomach is under more pressure. This can also result in food and acid being pushed back up into your esophagus.

Heartburn is a common occurrence for most people at one time or another, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re pregnant. However, if you also experience other symptoms, such as a missed period or nausea, these could be signs that you need to take a pregnancy test.

Pregnancy increases your risk of heartburn or acid reflux. During the first trimester, muscles in your esophagus push food more slowly into the stomach and your stomach takes longer to empty.

This gives your body more time to absorb nutrients for the fetus, but it can also result in heartburn.

During the third trimester, the growth of your baby can push your stomach out of its normal position, which can lead to heartburn.

However, each woman is different. Being pregnant doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have heartburn. It depends on many factors, including your physiology, diet, daily habits, and your pregnancy.

Relieving heartburn during pregnancy typically involves some trial and error. Lifestyle habits that can reduce heartburn are often the safest methods for mother and baby. The following tips may help relieve your heartburn:

• Eat smaller meals more frequently and avoid drinking while eating. Drink water in between meals instead.
• Eat slowly and chew every bite thoroughly.
• Avoid eating a few hours before bed.
• Avoid foods and beverages that trigger your heartburn. Typical culprits include chocolate, fatty foods, spicy foods, acidic foods like citrus fruits and tomato-based items, carbonated beverages, and caffeine.
• Stay upright for at least one hour after a meal. A leisurely walk may also encourage digestion.
• Wear comfortable rather than tight-fitting clothing.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Use pillows or wedges to elevate your upper body while sleeping.
• Sleep on your left side. Lying on your right side will position your stomach higher than your esophagus, which may lead to heartburn.
• Chew a piece of sugarless gum after meals. The increased saliva may neutralize any acid coming back up into the esophagus.
• Eat yogurt or drink a glass of milk to quell symptoms once they start.

Alternative medicine options include acupuncture and relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, or guided imagery. Always check with your doctor before trying new treatments.

Over-the-counter antacids such as Tums, Rolaids, and Maalox may help you cope with occasional heartburn symptoms. Those made of calcium carbonate or magnesium are good options.

However, it may be best to avoid magnesium during the last trimester of pregnancy. Magnesium could interfere with contractions during labor.

Most doctors recommend avoiding antacids that contain high levels of sodium. These antacids can lead to a buildup of fluid in the tissues.

You should also avoid any antacids that list aluminum on the label, as in “aluminum hydroxide” or “aluminum carbonate”. These antacids can lead to constipation.

Finally, stay away from medications like Alka-Seltzer that may contain aspirin.

Ask your doctor for the best option. If you find yourself downing bottles of antacids, your heartburn may have progressed to gastroesophageal acid reflux disease (GERD). In that case, you may need a stronger treatment.

If you have heartburn that often wakes you up at night, returns as soon as your antacid wears off, or creates other symptoms (such as difficulty swallowing, coughing, weight loss, or black stools), you may have a more serious problem that requires attention.

Your doctor may diagnose you with GERD. This means that your heartburn needs to be controlled to protect you from complications such as damage to the esophagus.

Your doctor may prescribe certain acid-reducing medications to reduce your symptoms. Research indicates that medications called H2 blockers, which help block the production of acid, appear to be safe.

Another type of medication, called proton pump inhibitors, is used for people with heartburn that doesn’t respond to other treatments.

If you’re concerned about the effects of medications, be sure to talk to your doctor. Doctors can help you control your symptoms while keeping your unborn child safe.