Prevent Pregnancy Heartburn

Many women will experience heartburn during their pregnancy. Even for women who have never experienced it before, heartburn may occur for the first time while they are pregnant. That burning sensation in the chest and throat, and sour, acidic taste in the mouth, may become an all too familiar sensation for some of them. Why?
Heartburn during pregnancy occurs for a number of reasons. Increased levels of hormones in your body while pregnant can soften the ligaments that normally keep the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tightly closed. If the LES relaxes at inappropriate times, food and stomach acids can reflux back up into your esophagus and throat. Also more pressure is put on your stomach as your body changes and your baby grows. This, in turn, can force stomach contents through the LES and into your esophagus.
Though you may not be able to eliminate heartburn completely, you can take some steps to minimize your discomfort.
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For more information on all aspects of pregnancy, please check out the resources provided by About's Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth.

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Sources:
"Healthy Pregnancy" U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. 21 Jan 2007
"Heartburn, Hiatal Hernia, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)." NIH Publication No. 03­0882 June 2003. NIH Publication No. 03­0882 June 2003. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). 21 Jan 2007
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