Heartburn in pregnant women

Heartburn is a very common symptom that accompanies many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. But this unpleasant and painful feeling of squeezing and "heat" behind the sternum is also a common manifestation and even a sign of pregnancy, with its second half in most cases, although in the first months of gestation some future mothers also note the presence of heartburn. On average heartburn during pregnancy develops in 60-70% of women.

This symptom is manifested under various circumstances. Many pregnant women compare it with burning in the chest and even at the level of the throat, which often occurs after a plentiful meal, especially fatty and spicy dishes. Often, heartburn pains after minor physical exertion, for example, washing dishes or cleaning the apartment. Even a single slope of the body or turn can provoke an attack of unpleasant burning.

It can begin approximately at the middle of the gestation period and torment a woman to the very birth, with little or no light intervals. At the same time, the general condition suffers too: the appetite worsens, sleep is disturbed, and the psychoemotional mood is reduced. Of course, that such patients need medical care. Only a small percentage of pregnant women note rare attacks of heartburn, which practically does not require medical intervention.

Burning in the chest can also be combined with other negative symptoms. Symptoms such as the appearance of a sour taste in the oral cavity, an increase in the amount of saliva, severe nausea, a feeling of "obstruction" of the esophagus or the presence of a solid food lump in it are so indicative and characteristic that the diagnosis of heartburn during pregnancy does not require any additional measures.

Physical activity often provokes an attack of heartburn

How heartburn is formed

The mechanism of heartburn is related to the functioning of the stomach and the state of the esophagus mucosa, as well as the capacity of the esophageal-gastric sphincter( cardial).The main task of the stomach is to produce juice, the main part of which is hydrochloric acid. The body's own mucous membrane is protected from it, although it can be damaged by acid in certain circumstances. But the epithelium of the esophagus mucosa does not have any protection from hydrochloric acid, which is why the burning sensation is formed because of the peculiar burn that occurs when gastric juice hits the body walls.

But the main link of the process, when heartburn begins, is the condition of the cardiac sphincter. If the person is healthy, then practically no changes in the position of the body, lifting of weights or other physical activity can not affect the force of contraction of the smooth muscle fibers of the sphincter. It becomes a reliable barrier to the reverse flow of gastric juice into the esophagus, protecting the epithelium from the action of hydrochloric acid.

To him, in turn, lead a variety of factors. They can also begin their influence during pregnancy, no matter on what term, early or late, is a woman. More details on why heartburn develops and how to stop it in the second trimester of gestation can be read in this article.

Of course, as we approach the birth, predisposing moments to the appearance of heartburn becomes more and more. Learn about this, as well as how to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy at a later date, you can from this article.

When the cardiac sphincter is insufficient, gastric juice is found in the esophagus

. The main causes of

During gestation, the female body undergoes significant changes, which are primarily determined by a new hormonal background. To ensure successful bearing and development of the fetus, as well as physiological births, all internal organs begin to work in an "enhanced mode," including the endocrine system. For example, the production of hormones that directly determine the course of pregnancy increases. But they, in addition, affect other processes in the body of a woman.

With each new week of gestation, the uterus increases in size, pushing other internal organs from its habitual places and increasing intra-abdominal pressure. In its walls, the richest vascular network continues to develop and ramify, expelling blood liters, which also increases pressure on the stomach, intestines and other organs. All these factors are the physiological basis for why and how heartburn is manifested in pregnant women.

The main causes of this phenomenon can be presented in the form of three groups:

• hormonal effect, which is represented by a change, depending on the trimester, the level of the hormone progesterone;
• physiological processes associated with changes in the physical parameters of the female body during gestation;
• pathological processes, characteristic of certain diseases of the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts.

Progesterone begins to be intensively developed practically from the first days of pregnancy. Its main purpose is to relax the musculature of the uterus several times to prevent miscarriage and to save the fetus. Particularly significant is the effect of progesterone in the first and second trimesters, at late terms, its level is reduced. But, in addition to relaxing the muscles of the uterus, it affects the smooth muscles of other internal organs in the same way, in particular, on the intestine and cardiac sphincter. It is due to progesterone in the first half of pregnancy that intestinal peristalsis slows down, and women can begin to develop constipation. Relaxation of the cardiac sphincter leads to the appearance of gastro-esophagal reflux, which is why a symptom of heartburn is formed. Thus, the hormonal factor becomes the main one in the first half of pregnancy, which explains whether heartburn can be on these terms.

The longer the gestation, the stronger the uterus pushes the abdominal organs

Exposure to the hormone progesterone can lead to a very pronounced burning sensation behind the sternum, but as a rule, the intensity of this symptom increases in the second half of gestation. The reason for this - the significant physiological processes occurring in the female body. The uterus grows, the stomach moves upward, and intra-abdominal pressure steadily increases. It is this that leads to a frequent casting of gastric contents into the lower parts of the esophagus and becomes the main explanation of why heartburn in pregnant women is so intense and practically constant in the third trimester.

Unfortunately, many pregnant women suffer from chronic diseases of the abdominal cavity. Inflammatory, ulcerative, fibrotic, dystrophic processes occurring in the stomach, liver, gall bladder, intestine or pancreas are often accompanied by severe heartburn. The therapeutic approach in such cases is special, in fact it is necessary not only to stop the unpleasant burning sensation behind the sternum, but also to influence the background pathology. In addition, to combat pathological heartburn during pregnancy should be so as not to harm the child.

But, in addition to the main factors of heartburn, there are a number of predisposing conditions that additionally adversely affect the cardiac sphincter, thereby increasing the possibility of throwing gastric juice into the esophagus. They are as follows:

• wearing dense underwear and clothing that compresses the chest and stomach;
• frequent slopes or excessive physical exertion;
• food intake for a short time before sleep( when a woman with a full stomach goes to bed, and content, thanks to the horizontal position, it is much easier to get into the esophagus);
• reception of drugs - antispasmodics( Papaverin, Spazgan, No-Shpa), which relax the muscle fibers of the cardiac sphincter.

Of course, unlike the hormonal, physiological and pathological causes of heartburn, the pregnant woman can get rid of these factors and, thus, cope independently with unpleasant sensations. Correction of lifestyle and habits, nutrition and exercise in general plays a crucial role in pregnancy. Also, these areas are at the heart of the treatment and prevention of heartburn in any trimester of gestation.

Spasmolytic drugs can relax the cardiac sphincter and cause the appearance of heartburn

Treatment methods

The organism of each person is individual, therefore, in pregnancy, heartburn manifestations are not the same. Some women note only periodic cases of burning in the esophagus, while others suffer from his constant presence. In cases where frequent heartburn is already tortured, affecting sleep, appetite and mood, you should start taking appropriate measures. But this should not be done arbitrarily, listening to advice of relatives or friends, but only with the permission of the doctor, which will provide the baby with the minimum medicinal load and the greatest safety.

In general, the treatment of heartburn at any time of pregnancy depends on the presence of concomitant pathologies and consists of the following directions:

• medication on the causes and mechanisms of the development of background diseases( if any) that cause heartburn and other serious symptoms, affecting the course of pregnancy andon the state of health of the future baby;
• elimination of the negative effect of gastric juice on the mucosa of the esophagus with the help of nonabsorbing antacids( Almagel, Maalox, Rennie, Talcid).These drugs neutralize hydrochloric acid, but do not affect the functionality of the cardiac sphincter. Therefore, if gastric contents get into the esophagus, it at least "does not burn" its mucous membrane;
• use of sorbents as auxiliaries( Polysorb), which also neutralizes acid;
• application of some methods of traditional medicine.

Antacid Rennie is especially popular among pregnant women

Antacids are especially often prescribed by doctors. They very quickly, for 5-10 minutes, cope with burning, while eliminating the nausea and pain in the stomach, so very "beloved" by pregnant women. However, it should be borne in mind that these drugs in passing have a very serious and undesirable effect on the body of a woman and a fetus. As a rule, they contain a lot of calcium, which changes the metabolism of the unborn child. Aluminum antacids increases the possibility of constipation in a woman, and magnesium, accumulated in the body of a future mother, is able to slow down the labor activity. Therefore, use of antacid drugs should be very carefully, not exceeding the dosage prescribed by the doctor.

To treat a pregnant woman, when there is almost constant burning sensation in the chest, it is possible and with the help of traditional medicine. Each patient has a different effect, but it's worth trying such methods as eating kissels, fresh potato juice, milk, alkaline mineral water without gas, oat broth.

How to cure heartburn is helped by natural milk

Methods of prevention

Despite the hormonal and physiological prerequisites for the formation of heartburn, its intensity can be significantly reduced. For this, the following recommendations should be followed, which will also have a positive effect on the entire body of the pregnant woman:

• organize a fractional meal( 5-6 times a day);
• eat a little and do not overeat;
• take food slowly and in a relaxed environment;
• drink water or tea not immediately after a meal, and after 20-30 minutes;
• do not go to bed after eating for at least 30 minutes;
• sleep with an elevated upper torso;
• to try to lie less often on the right side;
• wear loose, not pulling clothes and underwear;
• to limit spicy dishes, coffee, chocolate, citrus.

Heartburn during pregnancy occurs for various reasons and can greatly complicate a woman's life. But, thanks to effective methods of therapy and prevention, you can get rid of it altogether or significantly reduce manifestations.