What can I drink to stop heartburn during pregnancy?
Heart burn is a common complaint in pregnancy and it is because of the pressure of the enlarged womb in the stomach which pushes the gastric acid upwards and causes heartburns and dyspepsia.
1. Water
Drink a lot of water. Water helps to dilute the excess acid and reduce the heart burns..
2. Watermelon
Water melon is rich in water and bicarbonates which neutralizes the excess acid and relief heartburns in pregnancy.
3. Yoghurt
Yoghurt calms the gastrointestinal system and reduces the gastric acid helping to reduce heartburn. Take loads of yogurt during pregnancy
4. Avoid chocolate
Chocolate causes acid reflux and worsens heart burns…so don’t take chocolate when you have heartburns…all avoid chocolate altogether as heartburn is common in pregnant women.
5. Avoid carbonated drinks
Carbonated drinks contain acid…it is part of the gas out you hear when you open the bottle….don’t drink or minimize intake of carbonated drinks when you have heart burn in pregnancy.
6. Milk
Drinking milk during pregnancy helps to neutralize acid and relief heartburn initially but it worsens the acidity in the long run.
7. Antacids
In no particular order, antacids like gestid, gascol, mistmag helps to relief heart burns.
8. Don’t go to bed immediately after eating
Doing this, encourages acid reflux and worsens heartburn…wait for at least 30 minutes after eating before laying down.
9. Sleep on your left side
Sleeping on your left reduces reflux and reduces heart burns…so always sleep on your left side or even your right side.
10. Avoid spicy foods
Avoid eating spicy foods… spicy foods increase acid reflux and worsens your heartburns..foods like pepper soup, pepper rice, pepper stew and even pepper diced suya should be avoided if you want to worry less from acid reflux disturbances.
Written by Dr Udomoh
