Pregnancy and heartburn

The article is professionally consulted by an Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital

Heartburn, heartburn or a feeling of fullness and burning behind the breastbone is one of the common manifestations of indigestion that is common in pregnant women. Women with heartburn during the first month of pregnancy should make adjustments to their diet and living habits to feel more comfortable.

Heartburn is a symptom of indigestion and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Patients often feel full, bloated, want to burp and feel comfortable afterward. Symptoms of heartburn rarely appear alone, but often accompanied by other signs such as:
Burning sensation behind the breastbone or tingling chest pain; Abdominal bloating, discomfort; Ợ hot or slightly sour taste; Anorexia; The whole body is tired. Symptoms can appear soon after eating or drinking but can also appear late after eating for a period of time. Women can experience heartburn during the first month of pregnancy or at any time during pregnancy. The most common time period recorded was after the 27th week of pregnancy.

Heartburn symptoms appear clinically when the acid in the gastric juice irritates the lining of the stomach or esophagus. This usually occurs when there is increased secretion of gastric juice from the stomach. This is also the mechanism that causes pain and burning sensation.
Pregnant women are more likely to experience heartburn due to indigestion than others. Some reasons for this phenomenon include:
Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy; The growth of the fetus causes increased intra-abdominal pressure and pressure on the stomach; Cardiac sphincter relaxes. This is the muscle that lies between the stomach and the esophagus and usually only relaxes as food passes from the esophagus to the stomach. When the contraction of this muscle is disturbed, gastric juices can back up into the esophagus. Some other factors that play a role in increasing the risk of indigestion in pregnant women include:
History of gastritis or belching before pregnancy. Pregnant women are in the last months of pregnancy.

According to many experts, changes in diet and daily living habits are highly effective in helping to relieve heartburn symptoms during pregnancy, especially in the early stages.

Heartburn indigestion is often noted when eating full. Therefore, during pregnancy, pregnant women should eat scientifically even though cravings may appear quite common during pregnancy.

Pregnant women can manage heartburn by changing their eating habits. Eating small meals is recommended as a good choice in this case instead of large meals with a frequency of 3 times / day as before pregnancy. Pregnant women should eat dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime. Limit caffeinated beverages and avoid greasy or spicy foods to relieve symptoms.

Pregnant women should sit up straight when eating to help reduce pressure on the stomach. In addition, keeping the head and shoulders straight in the sleeping position also works to prevent stomach acid reflux.

Smoking during pregnancy not only causes heartburn, but also seriously affects the health status of both the mother and the fetus. The chemicals contained in cigarette smoke cause the gastric sphincter to relax abnormally and allow stomach acid to back up more easily, also known as gastroesophageal reflux. Smoking is also associated with other adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth before 37 weeks, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Drinking alcohol and other alcoholic beverages is one of the causes of heartburn. During pregnancy, alcohol use can also harm the health of the unborn baby. The safest method is to completely avoid alcohol while pregnant.

Women who experience heartburn during pregnancy should see a doctor when symptoms do not improve with changes in diet and lifestyle habits. This is a hint that it is time to resort to medication to control symptoms.
Women with heartburn during pregnancy should go to medical facilities when experiencing the following signs:
Difficulty swallowing; Weight loss, emaciation; More severe epigastric pain. The treating doctor will ask about the patient's discomfort and do a physical exam, especially in the chest or stomach area to look for pain points. A history of long-term use of medications such as antidepressants should also be discussed between the patient and the doctor, as these medications can also cause indigestion or heartburn.
The doctor will choose alternative drugs that do not irritate the stomach and digestive tract instead of stopping the drug completely because some chronic diseases need to be well controlled with regular medication, especially during pregnancy . Arbitrarily discontinuing the drug for fear of harming the fetus is not recommended unless consulted and prescribed by specialists.

Medicines to treat indigestion and heartburn indicated in pregnant women are classified into:
Antacids : this group of drugs has the main effect of neutralizing acid in the gastric juices of the stomach. Some of the drugs in this class are over-the-counter drugs. Alginate-derived drugs: Alginate-containing drugs have the ability to reduce indigestion by preventing acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. Patients may only need to use antacids and alginate compounds when symptoms appear. However, doctors recommend that the drug should be used before the patient has symptoms. The appropriate time to use the drug is before meals or before bedtime.
Pregnant women who are taking iron supplements should not take them at the same time as antacids. Antacids have the side effect of preventing the absorption of iron in the gastrointestinal tract.

In cases where antacids and alginates are not effective in improving symptoms, your doctor may prescribe other medications that reduce the amount of acid secreted from the stomach. Ranitidine and omeprazole are two drugs that are widely used in pregnancy, and there is currently no evidence of adverse effects on the fetus. Dosage and use should be strictly according to the doctor's instructions.
To protect the health of pregnant women and their babies during pregnancy, Vinmec International General Hospital provides a package of maternity services as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure because of the companionship of the medical team. doctor throughout pregnancy. When choosing Maternity Package, pregnant women can:
The pregnancy process is monitored by a team of highly qualified doctors Regular check-ups, early detection of abnormalities The Package Maternity package helps to facilitate convenient for the birthing process Newborns get comprehensive care

References: webmd.com, healthline.com, nhs.uk