How to Treat Heartburn When Pregnant

If you're pregnant, then you might also expect to treat an occasional bout of heartburn over the next few months. Why does heartburn occur when you're pregnant? You can blame it on the hormone progesterone. Higher progesterone levels sometimes cause the lower muscle to relax, allowing stomach acid to make a return trip through the esophagus. Obviously, most medications are to be avoided while you're pregnant. However, there are some natural, safe and effective ways to treat heartburn when you're pregnant.

Instructions

• 1

  Eat smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day instead of the typical 'three squares.'

• 2

  Wait at least an hour after eating to sleep or lie down. Also, avoid bending forward (if you're able to do so anyway) for an hour after a meal or snack.

• 3

  Increase your water intake during the day to reduce the risk of heartburn occurring. At least eight full glasses is the standard.

• 4

  Soothe away heartburn symptoms by drinking a small glass of warm milk with a dollop of honey blended in.

• 5

  Treat yourself to a helping of plain yogurt to ease your heartburn symptoms. Aside from being delicious, yogurt contains live cultures which can help restore the balance of 'friendly' bacteria in your stomach and intestines.

• 6

  Practice heartburn prevention by avoiding certain foods that trigger it, such as spicy or fried foods.

• 7

  Avoid highly acidic fruits and vegetables that may also bring on an attack of heartburn, such as oranges, grapefruit, pineapple and tomatoes. This means passing up juices made from these culprits as well.

• 8

  Cut all caffeinated (including chocolate) and carbonated drinks from your diet, as these tend to promote bouts of heartburn. Tea is fine, as long as it doesn't contain any leaf from the mint family, such as peppermint or spearmint.