How to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy: folk remedies and diet

Causes of heartburn in pregnant women

Heartburn is an inflammatory process of the mucous membranes in the lower esophageal region.

Doctors identify the following reasons that can trigger the development of this disease in expectant mothers:

1. An increase in the size of the uterus leads to increased pressure on nearby organs.
2. Increased acidity of gastric secretions.
3. Intense production of progesterone, leading to weakening of the muscles of internal organs, including the sphincter, located between the esophagus and stomach.

Please note: In most cases, problems with heartburn go away on their own in the third trimester, which is due to prolapse of the abdomen and a decrease in the production of the hormone progesterone!

Despite the fact that, according to most doctors, heartburn during pregnancy does not require any special treatment, this ailment can cause the expectant mother a lot of discomfort and unpleasant sensations! In order to alleviate her condition without resorting to medication, the patient can use extremely safe and time-tested folk remedies!

Use with caution

It is advisable for the expectant mother, if possible, not to take antispasmodics (drugs that relieve spasms of smooth muscles of internal organs) unnecessarily, for example, No-shpu, Papaverine, as they relax the esophageal sphincter and thus contribute to the occurrence of heartburn. Some herbs, such as mint, have the same effect.

Baking soda is often used for heartburn. It really helps to relieve the unpleasant burning sensation very quickly, but at the same time it does not last long. In addition, when soda interacts with gastric juice, carbon dioxide is formed, which has a strong soda effect - as a result, new portions of hydrochloric acid are produced, and heartburn resumes. It should be borne in mind that the sodium contained in baking soda is absorbed in the intestines and can lead to the appearance of edema, and this is completely undesirable for expectant mothers.

Important!
Olesya Molodkina, a gastroenterologist of the 1st category, warns:
You cannot regularly take soda for heartburn, as this disrupts the ratio of salts and water in the body.

Folk remedies for heartburn during pregnancy

Unconventional methods for treating heartburn in pregnant women should be used if the expectant mother experiences the following unpleasant clinical symptoms:

• 
  Belching;

• nausea and vomiting;
• burning sensation in the larynx;
• unpleasant bitter or sour taste in the mouth;
• sensations of discomfort and heaviness in the abdominal area;
• flatulence;
• bloating;
• stool disorders.

Important! The symptoms listed above may also appear in other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, if any alarming symptoms occur, the expectant mother should seek professional advice from a qualified specialist!

Popular traditional medicine recipes

The use of any medications for a woman expecting the birth of a baby is highly discouraged. A pregnant woman can alleviate her general condition and eliminate the painful symptoms characteristic of heartburn with the help of safe folk remedies.

We present to your attention several of the most effective and popular recipes from the traditional medicine box:

1. 
   Add a few drops of fennel oil and a pinch of chopped almonds to a glass of heated milk. Mix the mixture thoroughly and drink in small sips.

2. Carrots help eliminate burning sensation and discomfort in the esophagus. For medicinal purposes, you need to peel medium-sized carrots, chop them with a fine grater and eat them when unpleasant signs of heartburn appear.
3. Kissel has a pronounced enveloping effect, and therefore has a calming effect on inflamed mucous membranes. When symptoms of heartburn appear, the expectant mother needs to drink a glass of jelly (about 200 milliliters). Fresh potato juice has a similar effect. Important ! To combat heartburn, use only homemade jelly made from natural ingredients. Store-bought products not only will not provide any healing effect, but can also harm the unborn baby, since they contain dyes, artificial flavors, taste enhancers and other chemical components.
4. A teaspoon of sunflower oil, taken on an empty stomach (preferably in the morning), has a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, helps alleviate the patient’s condition and prevent new attacks of heartburn.
5. Ginger root helps to stop an attack, which must be chewed carefully and slowly when the first signs characteristic of heartburn appear.
6. To alleviate the condition, you can drink a glass of mineral water in one gulp (it is best to use Borjomi healing water for these purposes).
7. A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar essence should be diluted in half a glass of warm water, and then add 1 teaspoon of honey. It is recommended to take the medicine after meals, once a day.

Emergency traditional medicine

If the most gentle methods of combating heartburn at home do not have the desired effect, you can try more effective methods. It is not worth using them systematically during pregnancy, but during an acute attack they will come in handy for the expectant mother.

In case of acute manifestations, it is necessary to place a pinch of salt under the tongue. In the process of swallowing salted saliva, special enzyme substances are released that can neutralize hydrochloric acid, which helps eliminate heartburn.

Please note: pregnant women are contraindicated to consume large quantities of salt, so this method can only be used in exceptional cases!

Soda solution is an effective and strong remedy for heartburn; it helps to stop an attack in the shortest possible time. For such purposes, it is necessary to dilute 1 tsp. soda in warm water and drink the resulting solution. Use this product with extreme caution, since soda can cause swelling, as well as an imbalance in the acid-base balance in the gastrointestinal tract.

Important ! Before using any, even the most harmless at first glance, folk recipes, the expectant mother is strongly recommended to consult with her doctor!

Potato therapy for heartburn

Potato starch is characterized by the presence of pronounced enveloping properties, and therefore potatoes have long been used as a means to combat heartburn. Making potato medicine is extremely simple. You need to peel a large potato, chop it on a coarse grater, and then squeeze out the juice through cheesecloth. The drug should be taken 2 tablespoons, approximately half an hour before meals.

Please note: Only freshly squeezed potato juice has medicinal properties!

To achieve extremely favorable, stable results, traditional medicine recommends that expectant mothers undergo the following course of potato therapy:

• For 10 days, start every morning with a glass of freshly squeezed potato juice, which you take half an hour before breakfast.
• Take a break of 10 days, then repeat the treatment course.

The optimal duration of therapy against heartburn with potato juice while expecting a baby is about 2 months!

Juniper for heartburn

Juniper traditional medicine is considered an effective and popular remedy for combating heartburn. Inhaling juniper essential oil added to an aroma lamp will help stop an attack.

For chronic forms of the disease, purchase juniper seeds. Start your therapeutic course by chewing three seeds throughout the day. Increase the dosage by one seed every day. After a week, begin to reduce the number of juniper seeds, also by one seed per day. If necessary, the therapeutic course can be repeated.

Bibliography:

1. Vyuchnova E.S., Yurenev G.L., Mironova E.M. “The use of proton pump inhibitors in pregnant women: indications and choice” article in the journal “Evidence-Based Gastroenterology” - 2016.
2. ZIMMERMAN Y.S., MIKHALEV E.N. “Possibilities of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of gastroenterological diseases during pregnancy” scientific review – 2015
3. Kharkevich D. A. “Pharmacology” textbook – 2010.
4. Trukhan D.I., Grishechkina I.A. Treatment of heartburn in pregnancy: focus on alginates. Consilium Medicum. 2016;
5. Instructions for the drug Omez®10 mg
6. Dietary recommendations of the Scientific Society of Gastroenterologists of Russia for patients with GERD
7. "Obstetrics. National Leadership" edited by G.M. Savelyeva - 2022.

Diet against heartburn for expectant mothers

In order for the fight against heartburn to be successful, pregnant women need to combine traditional methods with adherence to the following dietary principles:

1. Limit the content of fatty, spicy, sour and fried foods in your daily diet as much as possible.
2. Avoid eating sweets, confectionery and baked goods.
3. Drink two glasses of freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juices daily.
4. Follow a fractional nutrition plan: eat 5-6 times throughout the day, in small portions.
5. Avoid late dinners. The last meal should be no later than 2-3 hours before going to bed.
6. Refrain from drinking carbonated, tea, and coffee drinks.

Products against heartburn

Nutritionists identify a number of foods that prevent the formation of acids.

Expectant mothers suffering from heartburn should definitely include the following foods in their daily diet:

• 
  Greenery;

• fresh green vegetables;
• milk and fermented milk products;
• nuts;
• dried apricots;
• cereals;
• honey;
• potato;
• prunes;
• buckwheat;
• rice;
• durum pasta.

But you will have to temporarily refrain from eating lamb, tomatoes, chocolate, hard cheese, onions, garlic, mustard, smoked meats and citrus fruits, as they can cause heartburn!

Please note: by adjusting your diet and adhering to the principles of dietary nutrition, you will not only get rid of heartburn, but also improve your overall health, which is extremely beneficial for your unborn baby!

Herbal recipes

If heartburn occurs, the expectant mother may well use the following recipes, which are based on medicinal herbs:

1. 
   Calamus root (a tablespoon) needs to be crushed and poured with boiling water. Leave to infuse for 7-10 minutes, then strain and drink a sip before each meal.

2. Heather (a tablespoon) should be poured with a glass of boiling water and simmer for several minutes over low heat. Then you will need to strain the broth and drink 1 tbsp. spoon, three times throughout the day.
3. Pour 1/2 teaspoon of wormwood into half a glass of water and leave to infuse in a warm place. After two days, the broth should be strained and drunk, divided into two doses.
4. A couple of tablespoons of dried mint should be poured with boiling water and brewed like ordinary tea. Add a couple of currant and viburnum leaves. It is recommended to drink 3 glasses of this healing drink throughout the day.

Please note: medicinal herbs such as dill, St. John's wort, buckwheat and plantain provide a good therapeutic effect in the fight against heartburn. Decoctions of these plants can be drunk daily, instead of the usual tea!

Note that not all herbs recommended by traditional medicine for heartburn are equally safe for a woman expecting a baby, so it is advisable to coordinate the course of herbal medicine with your doctor!

Additional recommendations

In order for traditional medicinal methods of getting rid of heartburn to be as effective and efficient as possible during pregnancy, expectant mothers need to follow the following simple recommendations:

1. Wear loose clothing to avoid pinching your abdominal area.
2. Sleep on a raised pillow.
3. Do not bend over or lie down immediately after eating to avoid possible food entering the esophagus.
4. Avoid stressful situations and psycho-emotional shocks, as nervous disorders can cause heartburn.
5. Avoid overeating and gaining excess weight.
6. Eat slowly, chewing your food thoroughly.
7. Lead an active lifestyle, performing feasible physical activity every day.

Traditional methods of treating heartburn in pregnant women are based on the use of infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs, as well as adherence to the principles of a healthy diet. Maintaining an active lifestyle, normal sleep, giving up bad habits and rich food will help get rid of the symptoms characteristic of heartburn, improve the overall well-being of the expectant mother, and will also benefit her baby!

Sovinskaya Elena, nutritionist

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The body of each of us is individual. And with a small resident inside, it’s unpredictable. And my mother eats right, and exercises carefully, and sleeps with pillows - but the painful burning sensation does not go away. Or I attended a friend’s birthday and tried a new salad, and as a result, heartburn. Below is a list of fast-acting remedies.