Best 20 Home Remedies For Acid Reflux In Pregnancy

Acid reflux is a condition in which acid from the stomach moves up into esophagus and causes irritation in the food pipe.

Acid reflux is also called heartburn. When heartburn happens more than two times a week then it is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The symptoms of acid reflux include:

Nausea and vomiting
Pain
Difficulty in swallowing
Heartburn, which causes a burning sensation in the chest
Hoarseness
Cough
Regurgitation: it is a condition in which the content of the stomach moves up into esophagus

Various factors are involved in inducing acid reflux. But in women acid reflux is associated with pregnancy. When a woman has acid reflux, people think that she is pregnant. Nearly acid reflux affects 15-45% of pregnant women.

In this article, we discuss the Best home remedies for acid reflux in pregnancy

Acid reflux causes during pregnancy

Usually, food travels down to the stomach through esophagus. There is a ring between stomach and esophagus. This ring is called lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This LES prevents the backward flow of stomach content into esophagus.

In acid reflux or heartburn lower esophageal valve relaxes and allows content from the stomach to esophagus. Acid reflux occurs when pressure is applied to stomach.

During pregnancy, lots of chemical changes start to happen. Your body produces lots of hormones such as progesterone and relaxin. These hormones tend to relax smooth muscles throughout the body including in your gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Moreover, as your fetus starts to grow in second and third trimesters, the size of the uterus becomes large to accommodate the growth of the baby. This enlargement of uterus put pressure on the stomach which results in acid reflux.

As a result of muscle relaxation, content of the stomach seep into esophagus. Food moves very slowly through all systems of the body resulting in indigestion problems such as heartburn and bloated feeling.

Heartburn or acid reflux is a common medical condition and it happens to all people. It is not necessary that only pregnant women will have heartburn. However, if you are experiencing other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or missed period, then these could be a sign of pregnancy and you need to perform a pregnancy test.

Home remedies for acid reflux in pregnancy

The following are a few and cheapest home remedies for acid reflux in pregnancy

Use healthy fat foods

Healthy fat foods reduce the symptoms of heartburn. The common healthy foods for acid reflux include:

sesame oil
sunflower oil
Olive oil
Nut butter
Fatty fish
Flaxseed
Avocado oil
Walnuts

Aloe vera juice

Besides the many health benefits of aloe vera, it also reduces the symptoms of acid reflux. Aloe vera juice neutralizes acid in the stomach and soothes heartburn symptoms.

Herbal tea

Herbal tea or decaffeinated tea will improve digestion, vomiting, and nausea and reduce symptoms of acid reflux.

Common herbal teas are:

fennel tea
licorice tea
fruit teas
chamomile tea
lemon grass tea
Green tea

Don’t take mint tea because it worsens acid reflux symptoms.

Sugar free chew gum

Chew gum contains bicarbonate that neutralizes the acid of the stomach to prevent acid reflux.

Scientific studies tell us that chewing gum increases the rate of swallowing and thus reduces reflux in the esophagus.

Chew gum also increases the saliva which reduces acid in the stomach. But the most important thing is to avoid chewing gum that contains sugar. Sugar will worsen reflux symptoms and cause tooth decay.

Ginger

Besides treating vomiting and nausea, Ginger also reduces the symptoms of heartburn. The daily intake of ginger is 1500 mg per day.

To reduce acid reflux symptoms make ginger tea and take it. You can also use ginger in soup, salads or cereals for heartburn

Baking soda

Baking soda is a natural and inexpensive home remedy for acid reflux. It neutralizes stomach acid. If you are hypertensive or on a low sodium diet, talk to your doctor about the use of baking soda.

Add half a teaspoon of baking soda into one glass of water and thoroughly dissolve it and then drink it. It will neutralize your stomach acid.

Reduce stress

Stress and anxiety increase acid production in stomach and also decrease the rate of digestion. Use calming techniques to reduce stress and anxiety.

You will get relief from acid reflux symptoms when you get calm.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a surprising remedy for acid reflux. Apple cider vinegar neutralizes of acid of stomach.

Add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into a cup of water and drink it before meal or bedtime.

Stop Smoking

Smoking will not only affect your stomach but your whole life. Smoking reduces pressure on LES and increases acid production in the stomach.

As a result of acid production and the weak ability of LES, acid reflux occurs. LES is a valve between stomach and esophagus that prevent the flow of acid from stomach into esophagus.

Coconut water

Coconut water is a rich source of electrolytes and alkaline minerals such as potassium. Potassium neutralizes the acidity of stomach and thus soothes the symptoms of acid reflux.

Choose unsweetened coconut water because it is a natural acid neutralizer.

Bentonite clay

Bentonite clay is alkaline in nature and absorbs excess toxins, acids, hormones and many other substances.

Our body does not absorb bentonite clay, it just neutralizes the acid and reduces acid reflux symptoms.

Add 1-2 teaspoons of bentonite clay into a glass and drink it. It is very crucial to drink lots of water while taking clay.

Chewing gum

Sugar free chew gum reduces heartburn during pregnancy. Chew gum for 5-10 minutes after each meal when you have acid reflux.

Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which neutralize stomach acid and reduce the symptoms of acid reflux in pregnancy.

Note: don’t chew gum for a long time because it will worsen the symptoms of heartburn.

Plain water

Water is a good source of declining the symptoms of heartburn. Drinking water intermittently reduces the acidity of stomach.

You should note that drinking lots of water at once increases heartburn during pregnancy. Gulping lots of water at one time increases pressure on stomach especially when the baby’s size is large.

Fennel seeds

Fennel seeds and fennel seeds oil is famous from ancient times for the treatment of heartburn and vomiting. They reduce acid reflux and inflammation and improve digestion.

Crush a small number of fennel seeds and add it to water and heat it or add it to hot tea and then drink it.

Dandelion tea

Practically dandelion tea reduces the symptoms of heartburn but there is no scientific research to support this claim that dandelion tea treats or reduces acid reflux symptoms.

Milk

Nonfat milk acts as a buffer and relieves the symptoms of GERD. But you should keep in mind, that milk comes in various forms and some of them have a high content of fat. That kind of milk aggravates the symptoms of acid reflux.

Always see the label before buying milk. Milk with less than 2% of fat is a good option for soothing acid reflux symptoms.

Yogurt is a rich source of probiotics and has many health other health benefits. Probiotics improve digestion.

Low fat yogurt reduces acid reflux symptoms up to some extent.

Egg white

Egg white is a good source of protein and a good option for soothing acid reflux symptoms. Egg yolk is a rich source of fat so avoid it because it will trigger acid reflux symptoms.

Foods that cause Heartburn or acid reflux (GERD)

There are some foods that cause acid reflux that you should avoid.

The common foods list includes:

carbonated beverages
orange and lemon
tomatoes
tea and coffee
tomatoes sauce
alcohol
fried and spicy foods
Late night snacks
Potato chips
Fast food
Pizza
Citrus fruits
Pineapple
Salsa
Limes
Pepper
Cheese
Fatty meat
Peppermint

Causes of acid reflux or heartburn

The main causes of acid reflux include:

Depression or anxiety
Diabetes
Pregnancy
Delayed emptying of stomach
Overweight or obesity

Heartburn or acid reflux risk factors

The most common risk factors for acid reflux include:

Frequent taking of tea or coffee
Sleep shortly after a meal
Alcohol drinking
Use of certain medications
Overeating
Late night eating
Smoking

Summary

Acid reflux is common in pregnancy. It is due to the physical pressure of fetus and hormonal changes. Many people experience acid reflux in their lives.

Acid reflux happens when content of the stomach moves up to esophagus.

Home remedies for acid reflux in pregnancy include ginger tea, coconut water, milk, yogurt, healthy fat content, plain water, aloe vera, bentonite clay, chewing gum, etc.

Author

Gowhar Ali

Pharm D, Mphil, Diploma in Nutrition
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