Reflux in pregnancy: causes, symptoms and remedies.

Advice on everything you need to know about one of the most common annoyances for pregnant women (and especially how to deal with it).

Reflux in pregnancy what it is and the most common symptoms

Heartburn, with a typical sensation of pain in the area behind the breastbone, regurgitation that leaves a bad taste in the mouth, feeling of weight on the stomach, to which nausea and vomiting can also be added. These are the most common symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, a condition that affects many pregnant women, especially as the pregnancy progresses. Reflux in pregnancy is not a dangerous condition for the fetus, but it is undoubtedly unpleasant for the mother, especially when its manifestations are more intense and prolonged. There are mothers who, unfortunately, associate the memory of pregnancy with that of a continuous heartburn.

Causes of reflux in pregnancy

To explain the origin of gastroesophageal reflux in pregnancy, two factors must be called into question:

1. the typical hormones of this period

2. the large size of the belly.

Some hormones produced by the placenta, such as progesterone, work by relaxing smooth muscle, which is obviously good because it leads to lessening uterine contractions, but it also has a negative side effect. In fact, relaxation also affects the musculature of the esophagus and the small valve located between the esophagus itself and the stomach (the cardia). As a rule, this valve prevents the stomach from "leaking" and that its acid content can rise back towards the esophagus, but already from the first months of pregnancy this structure tends to relax, becoming less effective.

Third trimester and reflux

Things get worse as pregnancy progresses, because the increase in size of the uterus exerts intra-abdominal pressure. Result: the episodes of gastroesophageal reflux - and therefore of burning and acidity - can become more and more frequent and annoying.

How to intervene: lifestyle and diet

Various lifestyle and dietary measures can reduce the frequency and intensity of reflux episodes. Here they are:

• Break up meals, which should be light but frequent, so that the stomach is never too full. The ideal would be to organize yourself with at least five meals a day, the three main ones plus two large snacks.

• Limit the amount of fluids introduced during meals.

• Avoid risky foods and in particular: fried and spicy foods, foods that are too acidic such as tomatoes, citrus fruits and fruit juices, products such as chocolate, mint, coffee, alcoholic beverages and carbonated and sugary drinks. It may be helpful to keep a food diary to identify the foods that are most likely to trigger heartburn.

• Avoid smoking.

• After dinner, wait at least three hours before going to bed. The lying position, in fact, can promote reflux, especially after a large meal.

• Sleep in a slightly inclined position, with the head and upper torso slightly raised.

• For the night's rest, prefer the position on the left side.

• Get some physical activity.

How to intervene: remedies and drugs

If symptoms persist despite the proposed strategies, all is not lost. There are in fact several remedies on the market that can be used to tackle the problem. An example is the formulations based on sodium alginate and antacids (such as sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate) which can be easily found in pharmacies. These are products that work by creating a physical barrier that floats over the contents of the stomach, preventing it from moving up to the esophagus.

Since they are not absorbed systemically, these formulations are considered safe for the health of the fetus: however, it should be remembered that they can hinder the absorption of other drugs or supplements (for example folic acid or iron), so it is necessary to adjust the timing of intake according to the instructions of the doctor and / or pharmacist so that there is no interference.

Mothers after reading our article we recommend that you visit our Luxury Kids website.