Heartburn

Your baby inside you needs room to grow and might push on your stomach.

Why?
Heartburn is caused by the pressure of the growing baby and hormone changes during pregnancy. The burning feeling is caused by stomach acid moving up to your throat.

Not everyone has heartburn during pregnancy, and not every solution works for every woman.

How to cope

These tips should help:

• Eat frozen caribou or seal meat
• Eat small meals and snacks
• Eat slowly; take the time to chew well
• Have healthy drinks between meals, not with meals
• Use a pillow to prop up your head and shoulders when you lie down
• Drink weak tea or eat yogurt or crackers
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing

This is the ‘Try Not to’ List:

• Try not to lie down right after eating
• Try not to eat before going to bed; wait about 2 hours from when you last ate until you go to bed
• Try not to have coffee, strong tea and colas, because these can make heartburn worse
• Try not to eat spicy, fried or greasy foods

If none of these tips help your heartburn, you may want to try an antacid medicine. An antacid reduces the amount of acid in your stomach. Not all antacids are safe for pregnant women. Check with your nurse, midwife or doctor before you take one.

Source: Health Canada.  Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2010^©