Acid reflux can be a real pain during pregnancy. It’s not just uncomfortable, and it can also cause serious health issues for you and your baby.

But don’t worry. This guide has got you covered. Here are some tips for dealing with acid reflux so you can get back to enjoying your pregnancy, instead of worrying about whether your baby will be okay. 

Pretty pregnant woman suffering from acid reflux because of her pregnancy. Caucasian expectant mother touching her chest with a pained expression

  1. Talk To Your Doctor For Proper Medication

Acid reflux during pregnancy can be managed by taking proper medication and following the doctor’s prescription. If your doctor recommends taking antacids or medicines for acid reflux during pregnancy, then you should follow the advice and take them as prescribed.

Antacids help reduce the amount of stomach acid that enters your esophagus. They neutralize stomach acids and prevent them from causing heartburn or other symptoms. You can buy over-the-counter antacids such as alginate antacid at any pharmacy or grocery store without having a prescription. Antacids come in several forms such as tablets, capsules and liquids which you can take after meals to reduce acidity in your stomach.

  1. Wear Loose Fitting Clothes

Wearing loose-fitting clothes can help you deal with acid reflux during pregnancy. Acid reflux is a common problem for pregnant women, especially in the first trimester. The condition happens when stomach acids back up into your esophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn and indigestion.

There are two main reasons why loose-fitting clothes can help you deal with acid reflux during pregnancy:

  • They provide room for your growing belly, so it doesn’t press against your diaphragm, which is the muscle under your lungs that helps you breathe. This can cause chest pain and shortness of breath, making reflux worse.
  • They allow for extra space around your waist so that it doesn’t feel like there’s too much pressure on your stomach from below your uterus.

There are many ways to control this uncomfortable condition, but one of the easiest is to wear loose-fitting clothing. This helps prevent pressure on your stomach, which can trigger acid reflux.

Doctor Examining Pregnant Woman Holding Stethoscope Near Belly Listening Baby’s Heartbeat In Office. Pregnancy Checkup

  1. Avoid Spicy Food

When you have acid reflux, spicy food can make it worse. Spicy foods typically contain high amounts of capsaicin, which is the compound responsible for the heat and burning sensation in your mouth when you eat them.

Capsaicin irritates the lining of your esophagus, making it more likely that you’ll experience heartburn. It can also relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscle at the bottom of your stomach that acts as a valve between your stomach and esophagus. When this valve isn’t working properly, acid reflux occurs.

Spicy foods can also cause inflammation in your body, which is another factor in acid reflux. According to Healthline, inflammation can make it harder for your stomach to produce enough acid to break down food properly and digest it, which may lead to indigestion symptoms like bloating or gas.

If you’re experiencing heartburn during pregnancy because of spicy foods, talk to your doctor about other ways to help ease these symptoms.

  1. Don’t Eat Too Much At One Time

Some women experience acid reflux during pregnancy. The rising hormone levels can cause this condition, making it difficult to eat a healthy diet. If you’re dealing with acid reflux, here are some tips to help you avoid overeating at one time and deal with your condition:

  • Eat Slowly And Chew Food Well: The more quickly you eat and the less thoroughly you chew your food, the more likely it will be that acid reflux will occur. Chewing your food thoroughly allows your saliva to promote digestion while eating slowly gives your stomach time to adjust to the food volume. This can also help prevent bloating and gas during pregnancy.
  • Eat Small Meals Throughout The Day: Eating smaller meals throughout the day is another way to prevent heartburn during pregnancy. This will help ensure that your stomach does not have too much food at any given time and that digestion can occur without difficulty. Eating smaller meals also helps eliminate feelings of hunger between meals by keeping blood sugar levels more stable than if larger amounts of food were consumed at once.

Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water every day so that you don’t get dehydrated from all these food changes you’re making to prevent heartburn.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, acid reflux during pregnancy is a complex problem. It’s important to take care of your body and your baby by following the tips above.

You may be tempted to try some more extreme treatments out there, but it’s strongly recommended that you stick with the basics and avoid any medications your doctor hasn’t approved.


Nicolas Desjardins

Hello everyone, I am the main writer for SIND Canada. I've been writing articles for more than 12 years and I like sharing my knowledge. I'm currently writing for many websites and newspapers. I always keep myself very informed to give you the best information. All my years as a computer scientist made me become an incredible researcher. You can contact me on our forum or by email at [email protected].