You must be very happy about this time of expecting a mother, right? But at the same time, you must also be feeling a little uncomfortable. Another thing that many of you will experience is heartburn. Some people also call this "gastric". So, shall we talk about this in a little more detail today?
Do you know what heartburn is?
Simply put, heartburn is a burning, burning sensation in the middle of your chest, and sometimes in your throat. It's like someone is on fire inside. It's not really related to your heart, even though it says "heart" in the name. It's caused by stomach acid , the chemical that helps digest the food we eat, flowing back up into the esophagus, which is the tube that carries food to the stomach when we swallow . It's called "acid reflux."
Even when you're not pregnant, you can still get heartburn and acid reflux. However, it's more likely to occur due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and the pressure on your stomach as your baby grows.
Is this common during pregnancy?
Yes, it's actually very common. Some studies suggest that between 3 and 8 out of 10 pregnant women experience this type of chest pain. That means it affects a very large number of people. If you've been pregnant before, or if you've had chest pain before, you're more likely to experience it this time. But for some, it's the first time they've experienced it in their lives.
When is this most felt during pregnancy?
In fact, this type of chest pain can occur at any time during pregnancy. However, it is most common during the third trimester , the last three months. This is because your uterus is at its largest during this time and is pressing heavily on your stomach. As your pregnancy progresses, the frequency and severity of this chest pain may increase.
How does it feel when you have chest pain? What are the symptoms?
These symptoms usually appear within 30 minutes to an hour after eating. But sometimes they can come later. These symptoms can also be aggravated by moving around, such as bending, leaning, or lifting.
This is what it usually feels like:
- A burning, hot sensation that starts in the middle of the chest and spreads to the throat .
- A feeling of a sour or bitter taste coming from the back of the throat.
- A feeling of heaviness and tightness in the stomach, as if the stomach is full (bloating) .
- The feeling of swallowed food coming back up the throat ( regurgitating ).
- Frequent burping .
- Feeling nauseous , as if about to vomit.
Although this inflammation can be painful, it is usually not severe, just a mild ache.
Why does this happen during pregnancy? What are the reasons?
The main reason for this is the changes your body goes through during pregnancy to help support your baby.
Hormonal changes
During pregnancy, your hormone levels change a lot. This affects the way you digest food and the way your body responds to it. These hormones slow down your digestive system . Food is digested more slowly. This makes you more likely to experience bloating, heartburn, and constipation.
Esophageal sphincter relaxing
The hormone progesterone can cause a muscle at the bottom of your esophagus, called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) , to relax. Think of it like a small gate at the top of your stomach. Normally, this only opens to let food pass from your esophagus into your stomach. Then it closes to stop stomach acid from coming back up into your esophagus. But because of the hormone progesterone, that gate doesn't close tightly enough, but loosens a little. Then stomach acid can easily come back up into your esophagus.
Uterus enlarging
As the baby grows, your uterus also grows . This puts pressure on your stomach. When the stomach expands, the acids in it push up into the esophagus. That's why heartburn is most common in the last few months of pregnancy, that is, in the third trimester. At that time, both the baby and the uterus are at their largest, putting a lot of pressure on other organs.
What can be done to reduce this chest inflammation?
If you need quick relief from this chest pain, try these natural remedies:
- Eat some yogurt or drink some milk .
- Add about a teaspoon of honey to a cup of hot milk, stir, and drink .
- Chew some gum . It will help neutralize the acid.
Can I use antacids from the pharmacy?
Antacids , such as Tums® or Maalox®, can help. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking any of these medications. Most studies on the safety of medications do not include pregnant women, as this could be harmful to them. This means that there is still a lot we do not know about the safety of medications during pregnancy.
Scientists know that the greatest risk of harm to the baby from these chest pain medications is during the first trimester . After that, safety depends on a variety of factors, including the ingredients in the medication. Also, while some medications are safe to take in small amounts, others should be avoided altogether.
Your doctor can advise you on treatments that will bring you relief while being safe for your baby. So, it's best not to go out and get medication on your own, right?
Can't you prevent chest pain?
You can reduce this risk by making a few small changes to your diet. Here are some things you can do to prevent heartburn:
Be careful about food and drink.
- Eat several small meals a day rather than three large meals.
- Eat a little faster than you normally would.
- Sit with your back straight while eating.
- Drink water during meals (not while eating).
- Reduce oily, spicy, and fried foods as much as possible.
- Reduce citrus fruits and fruit drinks, such as lemons and oranges .
- Avoid carbonated beverages like soda .
- Limit caffeine ( coffee, tea).
These habits will also help.
Being mindful of your posture and thinking about when to lie down after eating can help prevent this.
- Do not lie down for at least two hours after eating.
- Wait at least three hours after eating before going to bed at night.
- When you sleep in bed, place your head slightly higher than your legs (or try placing pillows under your shoulders and keeping your upper body slightly elevated).
Also, you should completely stop smoking and drinking alcohol . Not only do these cause chest inflammation, but smoking (including vaping) and drinking alcohol during pregnancy can seriously harm the baby's health.
How long will this trouble last?
The good news is that these things usually go back to normal after you have the baby . So if you didn't have a problem with breast tenderness before you got pregnant, there's a good chance it will go away after you have the baby. You can go back to your normal life.
When should I see a doctor?
If you continue to have chest pain despite making lifestyle changes, talk to your doctor . He or she can prescribe medications that are safe to take during pregnancy.
Also, be sure to see a doctor if you have any of the following:
- If you have chest pain that wakes you up at night .
- If you feel like you have difficulty swallowing .
- If there is blood in the saliva .
- If the stool is black .
- If you lose weight .
Imagine you've never had chest pain before, but suddenly you feel chest pain. In such a case, it could be a sign of a heart attack, so you should see a doctor or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Are "Acid Reflux" and "Heartburn" the same thing?
People often use the terms "heartburn" and "acid reflux" interchangeably. The two are related, but not exactly the same.
- Acid reflux is when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle we talked about doesn't tighten properly, allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus. (This is a more serious condition called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD ).
- Heartburn , a burning or pain in the chest, is one symptom of acid reflux.
Got it? Acid reflux is the cause, and heartburn is a result of it.
Is chest pain a sign of preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that can occur in mid-pregnancy. It causes dangerously high blood pressure, as well as symptoms such as headache, blurred vision, and right-sided pain. Sometimes, chest pain can also be a symptom.
However, if you only have heartburn, it's most likely just normal heartburn , not preeclampsia. Also, while most pregnant women experience heartburn, preeclampsia only affects 8% of deliveries.
However, if you have any doubts, don't assume anything. Be sure to talk to your doctor. They can find out exactly what's going on with you and give you the necessary advice.
So, what is the most important thing to remember from what we have talked about? (Take-Home Message)
Heartburn is very common during pregnancy, especially in the last few months. You can control it by making small changes to your diet, such as eating smaller meals more frequently and cutting out spicy and oily foods. Drinking some yogurt or milk can sometimes provide relief. The most important thing is to always check with your doctor before taking antacids from the pharmacy to find out which is the safest option for your baby. I wish you all the best!
` Pregnancy, Chest Inflammation, Heartburn, Acid Reflux, Chest Inflammation During Pregnancy, Acid Reflux, Pregnancy Health
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