Heartburn During Pregnancy

For many women, changes occur from head to toe when they are pregnant. You may think that the only “change” you will experience will be a growing belly – but prepare yourself now that is not likely to be the case. Most women experience several changes during pregnancy that they were not prepared for. Whether it is melasma, restless leg syndrome, acne, or heartburn, it is better to understand the changes you may experience ahead of time so that you can handle them well.

Heartburn is an unpleasant occurrence for many women during pregnancy. Even women who have never experienced heartburn before becoming pregnant can experience the pain and discomfort while they are expecting.

Heartburn is caused by stomach acids that travel back up the esophagus instead of down. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) at the end of the throat is designed to help digested food stay down. However, during pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin is produced and can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to become relaxed. When this occurs, the LES may fail to keep stomach acids down, resulting in heartburn. Heartburn is also compounded by a pregnant woman’s growing belly, which pushes her organs up in her abdominal cavity, causing further pressure on the esophagus.