What to do if you have stomach acid during pregnancy

Every normal person has a certain amount of gastric acid in their stomach, and the main function of gastric acid is to break down food. When there is a problem with the human body, it will affect gastric acid and cause acid reflux. Acid reflux can cause vomiting and greatly damage the throat. If stomach acid occurs in the third month of pregnancy, it will affect the pregnant woman's ability to eat. So what are the solutions for stomach acid during the third trimester of pregnancy?

What is stomach acid in pregnant women?

What is the cause of stomach acid in pregnant women? Acid reflux during pregnancy refers to the reflux of stomach acid from the stomach to the esophagus, causing heartburn, stomach acid and other uncomfortable reactions. The phenomenon of acid reflux in pregnant women is related to the increase in progesterone and estrogen levels in the body after pregnancy. Pregnant women can improve their condition by adjusting some of their lifestyle habits appropriately and avoiding eating foods that easily produce acid water.

When lying down, the diaphragm is raised, and when coughing, holding breath and straining to defecate, the intra-abdominal pressure increases, which can increase the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus and aggravate the symptoms.

Acidic and spicy diets can irritate the inflamed esophageal mucosa, which can naturally aggravate the symptoms. When you eat too much, the intragastric pressure increases, which can easily induce esophageal reflux.

Fatty foods, chocolate, strong tea, coffee and aromatic foods can reduce the tension of the smooth muscles in the lower esophagus and aggravate esophageal reflux.

What to do if pregnant women have stomach acid

Pregnant women with excessive stomach acid should pay attention to a balanced diet, eat small meals frequently, chew slowly, and avoid having too much or too late dinner. You also need to pay attention to your sleeping posture. Elevating your upper body can reduce esophageal reflux. Choose loose, comfortable clothing to avoid increasing intra-abdominal pressure. Don't smoke and don't take any medicines.

1. Eat a healthy diet

Do not eat too much to avoid increasing the pressure in the stomach and lifting the diaphragm. Eat small meals frequently, slow down your eating pace, and chew your food thoroughly.

Especially for dinner, you should avoid eating too much or too late. It is best to eat within 2 to 3 hours before going to bed so that you have enough time to digest the food.

Avoid foods and drinks that cause gastrointestinal discomfort, which usually include: carbonated drinks, alcohol (you should not drink alcohol during pregnancy anyway), caffeine, chocolate, acidic foods (including citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, mustard and vinegar, etc.), cooked meats, mint foods, and spicy, strong, fried or high-fat foods.

Chew a piece of gum after eating. Chewing gum stimulates saliva secretion, which helps neutralize stomach acid.

2. Sleeping posture

When sleeping at night, use a few more pillows or wedge-shaped cushions to raise your upper body. Raise the foot of the bed by 15 to 20 centimeters above your head and raise your upper body by 10 to 15 degrees, which can effectively reduce esophageal reflux. However, it is not advisable to raise the entire upper body by raising the pillow, because raising the pillow cannot lift the entire upper body. Instead, it may cause a bend between the esophagus and the stomach, affecting the flow of food into the stomach, aggravating esophageal reflux, and exacerbating heartburn.

3. Loose clothing

To reduce esophageal reflux, pregnant women should wear loose clothes and avoid tight clothes that squeeze the waist and abdomen.

Bowel movements should be smooth and respiratory tract infections should be actively prevented and treated to avoid increasing intra-abdominal pressure.

4. Don’t smoke

Never smoke. Not only does smoking lead to many serious health problems, but it also increases stomach acid secretion. (To achieve the best results, women who smoke should quit before becoming pregnant. But if you are still smoking after becoming pregnant and find it difficult to quit, please consult your doctor to see if she can help you find a suitable way to quit smoking.

5. Taking medication

Over-the-counter antacids containing magnesium or calcium may also help relieve stomach discomfort, but be sure to talk to your doctor before taking them, as some brands of antacids contain aluminum, aspirin, or large amounts of sodium. Under the guidance of a doctor, you can take alkaline drugs, such as aluminum hydroxide gel, Ledewei, or drugs that protect the gastric mucosa, such as sucralfate, Dile Granules, etc., which can help relieve heartburn.

If you feel that the above methods are of no use, you should go to the hospital for a check-up.