How to avoid heartburn while pregnant

Tips to help you avoid the pain of heartburn when you are pregnant

Heartburn is the most common complaint of pregnant women. It makes them feel miserable at a time when they want to be feeling good about themselves and the new addition to their family. It can strike at any time and often keeps them awake at night.

An old wives tale says that having heartburn when you are pregnant means the baby will have a lot of hair. Most mothers-to-be will tell you that they would prefer the baby to be born without any hair if they could only get rid of the heartburn.

Here are some tips to help you avoid heartburn and help you feel comfortable.

Instructions

Step 1

Avoid foods known to cause heartburn

There are certain foods that are known to cause heartburn in the majority of people - not just those who are pregnant. Even though they may be some of your favorites, if you want to avoid the pain associated with heartburn, you should avoid them all together or at least limit the amounts that you eat.

The foods to avoid are:

- chocolate

- drinks containing caffeine

- citrus fruits and juices

- fatty foods

- fried foods

- condiments such as mustard and vinegar

- spicy foods

Alcohol is also a known heartburn trigger, but pregnant women should avoid alcoholic beverages anyway.

Step 2

Wear loose clothing

Wear clothing that is not tight on your stomach, even in the first months of pregnancy. Loose clothing helps you feel more comfortable and lets you move around easier.

Step 3

Change your sitting and sleeping positions

When you sit down, try to sit up straight rather than slouching down in the chair. This helps your stomach muscles to contract and smooth the digestive process.

Sleep with the head of your bed slightly elevated. This helps to keep the stomach acids from coming back into your esophagus during the night.

Step 4

Eat slowly

When you eat fast, the food does not have enough time to pass through the digestive system. This is especially true if you are feeling rushed and have to get to back to work. Take your time when eating your meals.

Step 5

Eat smaller meals more often

You should not try to have three main meals a day when you are pregnant, especially if you are prone to attacks of heartburn. Six small meals a day is a lot better for you than three large ones. You should also follow the food guide to make sure you are getting the proper amount of proteins, vitamins and minerals.

Step 6

Don’t eat at bedtime

The most common time for heartburn to occur is after you go to bed. To avoid having to get up in the middle of the night because of this, refrain from having a meal at least three hours before you go to bed.

Ways to ease heartburn during pregnancy

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Natural relief for heartburn during pregnancy

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Are You Suffering From HEARTBURN During Pregnancy? Heartburn is fairly common for pregnant women with about 1 in 4 reporting it daily! If you are in your third trimester that number goes up to 80%! ...More>
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Things Needed

list of foods that cause heartburn

copy of the food guide

time to eat

elevation of the head of the bed

smaller meal amounts

more frequent meals

at least 8 glasses of water a day

no meals for three hours before you go to bed

Tips & Warnings

Be cognizant of the amount of weight that you gain during your pregnancy. If you gain a lot of fat, this will cause heartburn and will make it harder for you to get your figure back after the baby is born.

Consult with your doctor and follow his/her advice about eating healthy foods.

Drink plenty of milk and take the vitamins the doctor recommends.

Got heartburn? Milk may be one common food that causes your pain.(Nutrition Detective): An article from: Women's Health Letter

Release Date: 2005-09-01
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Frances Stanford
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	Heart Burn Release Date: 2004-07-06 Amazon Price: $10.25 Used Price: $4.96
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