What you dont know about heartburn during pregnancy

Heartburn during pregnancy is an extremely common phenomenon, causing many difficulties in life for pregnant mothers. So what causes heartburn?

Currently, heartburn appears in pregnant mothers more and more common. Mother often shows discomfort in body, a burning sensation in the upper parts and throat, then a bitter or sour taste in the back of the mouth and heartburn. So heartburn is dangerous or not? What causes heartburn during pregnancy? Join aFamilyToday Health to follow the following article to answer all the questions above.

Learn about heartburn during pregnancy

Heartburn (also called acid reflux or acid indigestion) is a burning sensation that usually spreads from the area below the sternum to the lower hip area. This symptom occurs when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus, not only the acid can also back up into the throat or oral cavity leaving a sour and bitter taste.

This is a very common symptom, around 8 out of 10 pregnant women have heartburn worldwide. Many pregnant women experience heartburn early in their pregnancy. This is a very common symptom and is not dangerous, but in some cases it can cause pain. Although it is not related to the heart, heartburn also causes a burning sensation in the center of the chest.

What causes heartburn during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, physical and hormonal changes in the body can cause temporary symptoms such as heartburn and stomach acid reflux . The increase in levels of the hormone progesterone during pregnancy can also relax the smooth muscles of the uterus.

In addition, experts also believe that this hormone also relaxes the valves separating the stomach and esophagus, thereby causing acid from the stomach back up into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation. Progesterone also slows down the contraction of the stomach, delaying digestion of the body.

In the last months of pregnancy, the developing fetus pushes the small intestine and stomach up. This slows digestion and pushes more acid from the stomach to the esophagus.

Is heartburn common? 

Heartburn is a very common symptom of mid-pregnancy to the last months of pregnancy. This symptom can occur at any point in time, but most tend to burp around the second half of pregnancy. About 1/3 of pregnant women suffer from heartburn in the first 3 months and up to 2/3 pregnant mothers have this symptom in the last 3 months of pregnancy.

Don't worry too much about dealing with heartburn after giving birth. Once the baby is born, these symptoms will also go away.

Is heartburn during pregnancy a disease?

Heartburn can be an illness, but it also depends on where it hurts and whether you have other symptoms. Here are some of the dangerous symptoms. If you experience one of these symptoms, see a doctor or specialist right away:

The burning pain from heartburn usually spreads from the back of the sternum to the throat. Also, if you experience pain in the upper stomach and lower ribs, you are at high risk of developing signs of pre-eclampsia;

If you have pain in the upper right of your stomach while you are sick, it could be a sign of liver disease  during pregnancy;

In addition, heartburn can also be caused by problems with the digestive tract that are not related to pregnancy, such as stomach ulcers .

If you have trouble eating, losing weight or worrying about other symptoms along with the above symptoms, contact your doctor immediately for more details on your condition!

Hopefully the article has partly answered questions for readers about heartburn symptoms in pregnant mothers.