Is heartburn an early sign of pregnancy?

There is no doubt that heartburn is an early sign of pregnancy.
Heartburn in pregnancy is caused by pregnancy the hormone called progesterone. Heartburn often goes hand in hand with gas and constipation in a pregnant woman, making it all the more uncomfortable.

Heartburn is caused by the stomach acids flowing backwards into the esophagus due to the fact that the sphincter muscle at the top of the stomach is relaxed. In pregnant women there can be a second cause of heartburn. That is when the uterus is expanding it can move your stomach away from its regular spot, leading to a sensation of heartburn.

It is actually more common and noticeable to develop heartburn in the last trimester of pregnancy rather than in the early stages, however there are still many women who have reported heartburn as being an early pregnancy sign.

Heartburn during pregnancy can be managed bye eating smaller than normal meals; however you should eat more often to make up for the small meals. Small meals are easier to digest and are less likely to cause heartburn. Also take note of how slow you eat and how much you chew each bite – these two things along can be significant factors in you developing heartburn after a meal.

Although heartburn can be an early pregnancy sign, it is still generally treated the same as regular heartburn, with the exception that antacids should be kept to a minimum and prescription drugs are usually not advised unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will be able to advice you which antacids are safe to take while you are pregnant.

Other things that can lead to heartburn in the early stages of pregnancy are smoking and alcohol (which should be avoided while pregnant anyway), stress and caffeine. You should avoid caffeinated drinks and go for water instead. That includes soda drinks as these can cause severe heartburn.

Heartburn during early pregnancy can be uncomfortable, but there are plenty of natural remedies and lifestyle changes you can make to relieve or cure your heartburn.

Recommended Reading

1. Heartburn In Pregnancy
Heartburn in pregnancy can make a difficult situation even more uncomfortable for a woman. Often it is hard enough just...
2. Eating to Prevent Heartburn
Heartburn does not just affect those who are high stressed or love their spicy foods. Pregnant women suffer from heartburn...
3. Do You Have an Early Sign of Pregnancy?
Before a woman confirms that she is actually having a baby, she may rely on an early sign of pregnancy....
4. Medication For Heartburn During Pregnancy
Heartburn during pregnancy can be painful and irritating. Thankfully, there are various types and brands of medication for heartburn during...
5. Understanding the First Sign of Pregnancy
There is actually more than one sign that can be considered as the first sign of pregnancy, and if you...