Heartburn Relief

Heartburn is one of those extremely unpleasant side effects of pregnancy. It can be difficult to manage effectively over an extended period. Even when they avoid certain foods, do not eat before bed and use antacids, many pregnant women find that heartburn remains a real problem. Without appropriate treatment, it can even cause severe pain and lasting damage. Is there another way to manage heartburn during pregnancy that may be more effective?

What is heartburn?

Heartburn occurs when the stomach’s normal acidic contents escape and “splash” up into the oesophagus. Pregnant women experience heartburn more often because the placenta produces more progesterone. This hormone causes muscles in the body to relax, including the sphincter that normally keeps stomach contents from entering the oesophagus.

Heartburn usually becomes more frequent as pregnancy progresses. This is because the uterus begins to press against the stomach, making it harder for the stomach contents to remain in place. So how can you manage heartburn effectively?

Antacids are not the solution

Common heartburn remedies such as antacids may provide temporary relief, but they can lead to problems over the longer term. The acidity of your stomach acid is essential for proper digestion. It is also needed for optimal absorption of vitamin B12, which is important for your nervous system.

When you manage heartburn with antacids, you reduce the acidity of your stomach acid. This means your body is less able to absorb essential vitamins and nutrients.

In addition, when these proteins are not fully broken down, their absorption may lead to allergy-like symptoms. Over time, this may even cause autoimmune problems.

How chiropractic care may help

If you experience heartburn during pregnancy, you may wish to consider chiropractic care as one way of addressing it.

Regular chiropractic care may help relieve pressure on the muscles and nerves around your digestive system. This may reduce the pressure that pushes stomach contents towards the oesophagus.

Chiropractic care is highly recommended for pregnant women because, in addition to heartburn, it may provide relief from various other discomforts. It also helps keep the body properly aligned, which can support a smoother birth.

It may not be the most comfortable treatment I provide to pregnant women in my practice, but they all seem to return and ask me to do it again next time because it genuinely helps them.