A pregnant womans body will see a lot of changes occur during the pregnancy. While this is a very exciting time there are issues including acid reflux that can make it difficult to enjoy all aspects of it. There is an old wives tale that pregnant women with acid reflux means the child will be born with a full head of hair. However, the truth if it is that acid reflux is the result of changes in the body due to additional hormones.

The production of stomach acid can be produced due to changes in hormones. Eating more while pregnant is not uncommon and this can result in more acid being produced. The hormone increase and extra food intake combine resulting in acid refluxing into the esophagus. Having to deal with acid reflux is a thing nearly 1/4 of pregnant woman fight every day. Constant heartburn means sleeping is not easy at night and daily routines seem that much harder.

Growth of the baby results in more pressure on the stomach. To much pressure allows more acid into the esophagus causing even worse acid reflux. That is why the majority of pregnant women find that they suffer from acid reflux during the last few months of it. Effective treatment for pregnant mothers is limited due to anything consumed can affect the baby. Try avoiding prescription medication for acid reflux.

It is possible to take antacids to treat mild cases of acid reflux during pregnancy. According to extensive research results antacids will not harm the baby. Pregnant women do need to be careful though as they contain large amounts of sodium. The sodium can bring swelling to the legs and ankles due to retaining fluids.

Every woman wants her baby to be as healthy as possible and that is understandable. The more natural the way you find to fight acid reflux the better during pregnancy. While consuming plenty of fresh fruits is important some of them may increase your risk of acid reflux. Avoid those that contain large amounts of acid in large quantities. Grapefruit, oranges, and lemons come under this category.

To avoid hunger and for better digestion eating six smaller meals is better than eating three large ones. Large meals are harder to digest so its easier to cope with smaller ones. Staying hydrated can be achieved by drinking a large amount of water during the day. Foods digest easier with an extra intake of fluids into the body throughout the day. Avoid eating in the last hours before you go to bed at night or you may end up suffering throughout the night with acid reflux.

Elevate your head and shoulders when you sleep as well. When you rest during the day or at night in bed this will help stop the acid from entering the esophagus. There are special pillows for this or you can just stack two of them. One tip you can employ is to elevate your bed at the head stacked on bricks or a board. The beds different elevation will aid you significantly when you add a few inches.

Try to lay on your left side too as this will help to get the acid reduced in your stomach. By lying on your back or right side the acid will increase. It is not always comfortable to lie on your side during pregnancy but getting into the routine will be of great help. It will certainly help you to avoid suffering from acid reflux.

Following such guidelines will help you offset acid reflux during pregnancy. This is a great time for a mom so keep those negative aspects of it away. Important things to do now are to relax and rest because you may not be able to once the baby is born. If you continue to suffer from acid reflux on a regular basis during your pregnancy make sure you share this information with your doctor. Severe heartburn can cause damage to the esophagus lining which in turn needs more treatment which can be alleviated by your doctor.