Some may not realize that heartburn has nothing to do with the heart and is caused by acid leaking from the stomach to the esophagus.
The reason so many pregnant women suffer from heartburn is that the uterus presses on the stomach as the baby grows.
When this happens, the digestive tract is crowded, and acid travels back up the esophagus.
An old wives' tale claims that babies of those who have heartburn will have more hair.
Although this is a fun tale to believe, there is no proof that it is true.
Heartburn during pregnancy can be prevented.
Eating more slowly is the first step.
By doing so, you will enjoy your food more, and your stomach will have an easier time with digestion.
You should also eat early in the day and eat two hours before you go to sleep at night to give your body more time to digest your food.
Eating small meals throughout the day will also help.
Experts recommend eating six small meals.
Large meals will fill up your stomach, which is already being squashed by your uterus.
Having the stomach entirely full like this makes it more likely for stomach acid to make its way up the esophagus.
Another tip to decrease the instances of heartburn is to separate fluid and solid consumption.
A stomach full of mixed food and fluids will distend the stomach, aggravating heartburn.
Eating while sitting up rather than lying down will help as well.
Make sure to prop yourself up with pillows if eating in bed.
Your weight will affect your likelihood of experiencing heartburn.
The heavier a person is the more pressure will be placed on the esophageal sphincter.
Although doctors may recommend gaining weight during pregnancy, you should be careful not to gain more than the prescribed amount.
Take some time to try to figure out if certain foods are contributing to your heartburn.
If you do find that certain foods are causing your heartburn, you should cut these foods out of your diet entirely.
Many people report having problems with spicy foods, tomato sauce, soda, chocolate and citrus.
Any type of greasy food will also contribute to heartburn, so removing greasy and fried foods from the diet will go a long way in preventing heartburn.
There are times when even the most conscientious dieters still experience heartburn.
If this happens to you during your pregnancy, Tums and Rolaids are completely safe to take.
If you do not feel comfortable taking medications while pregnant, some natural methods may help.
One such method is eating a handful of almonds, which are a stomach settler.
A tablespoon of honey along with some milk is another favorite for heartburn prevention.
Just as with most other pregnancy discomforts, heartburn is preventable, for the most part, if a woman takes the steps to eat properly.
Remember that your baby can still be born with a full head of hair, even without your suffering from uncomfortable heartburn!