Expecting mothers often face acid reflux and its symptoms makes this expecting phase more uncomfortable. During pregnancy lots of changes takes place in the body. When a woman gets pregnant she is prepared to face the hormonal changes, digestive disturbances as well as emotional changes but acidity or heartburn is something unbearable.

There are different causes of acid reflux. Changes in hormonal system as well as belly pressure may cause relaxation of the muscles that actually control the shutting and opening of esophagus and so acid reflux occurs. Actually in such situation the acidic food content instead of staying in stomach is reversed back to the food pipe because the lower esophageal sphincter remains open instead of closing.

It is not so easy for a normal adult to face the acid reflux symptoms so when an expecting mother face is she finds it quite difficult to deal with it because she is already faced with so many other changes. Use of antacids can be helpful but not always. Sometimes slight changes in diet and routine can be more effective then taking any medications. Here we will give you some information regarding ways that can help you avoid the attacks of acid reflux when you are expecting. You can consult your medical health practitioner to make any alterations as per requirement.

- The main cause is food. The important thing is to avoid such food items that can increase the chances of acidity attack and then give rise to heartburn. Such items include (and not actually restricts): spicy foods, tomatoes, chocolates, citrus fruits, oily or fried food items, soda based drinks and caffeinated drinks.

- LES (lower esophagus sphincter) relaxes with intake of caffeinated drinks as a result of which the acidic food content flows back to throat.

- Smoking Alcohol are  also not allowed for pregnant women because these can increase the risk of acid reflux.

- With smaller meals too you can reduce the chances of heartburn and acid reflux attacks. So, say ‘no’ to large meals in one session of eating. The best thing is to take several small meals during the day so that your digestive system is not overloaded.

- Always chew the food slowly and properly. In this way the enzyme production for digestion of food takes place properly and so heartburn does not occur.

- Always take your dinner some 2-3 hours before you go to bed. If you can go for a short walk then you can improve your digestion and occurrence of acidity will be negligible. Never lay down right after having meal as it can cause heartburn.

- Keep your head elevated while you are sleeping. In order to do that  you can use wedge pillow or you can do so by raising the head part of the bed. This will help the food contents of the stomach to remain in the tummy and it will not move up towards the food pipe.

- Do not void bend down for picking up any stuff. Especially avoid bending from the waist because it can put pressure on the abdominal region.

- Keep your weight maintained with some light program of exercise. In overweight or obese people the tendency of  reflux attacks is usually high. Swimming and walk can also be helpful when it comes to weight management while you are expecting. Always consult your medical health practitioner so that he can recommend appropriate exercises.

- Use of essential oils to bath can also help and applying it on the body after knowing for any allergy is best. As stress can also be the reason of acid reflux, so use of essential oils like lavender  or chamomile can be effective as its use make a person stress-free as well as calm.

The above mentioned precautions are just simple ones that you can follow pass your pregnancy phase free from acid reflux. If before pregnancy you already had a tendency to acid reflux  then you must take extra care and be ready to take necessary measures to stay away from this condition.