Nearly half of the expectant mothers worldwide are constantly having to put up with this pesky heartburn. And the hormones circulating through your body are the ones responsible for these horrible symptoms, as they cause the muscle located at the top of the stomach, the one that should prevent the digestive ashes to splash into your esophagus, to relax. So burping, the horrible taste in your mouth and the awful feeling of this hot acid just defying gravitation and going up your throat, along with the feeling that you are about to puke every 5 minutes can become pretty overwhelming.
And since there’s no such thing as a future mother without heartburn, homeremedyshop.com is here to tell you something about some great home remedies for heartburn and acid reflux you can use inside your own home due to the fact that they are not only easy to get hold of or prepare, but are 100% safe for your baby as well.
- Almonds – Everybody loves almonds. Well maybe not the raw version that’s recommended against heartburn, but anyhow, this compromise sounds less tormenting given your indigestion circumstances. So grab a handful of raw, unsalted almonds and wait for the relief to come. It will eventually, due to their high oil content that neutralizes stomach acid.
- Organic Apple Cider Vinegar – Taking regular sips of this apparently awful, yet extremely healthy liquid sounds pretty discouraging. But it’s worth it, because apple cider vinegar, due to its being acid, actually tells the stomach to stop producing even more acid. It annihilates the acid surplus in your stomach, balancing the pH. It’s like setting a thief to catch a thief.
- Ginger Tea and Fennel Tea – Just buy some raw, fresh ginger and use it for making some tea. Remember to remove the peel before infusing it into the boiling water. Just cut the ginger into small pieces and throw them in your teapot. Ginger is an old, worldwide known cure for gastrointestinal problems. And so is fennel tea; it’s probably the best home remedy for heartburn.
Moreover, drinking tea any chance you get is great for your health. But this doesn’t always apply while pregnant. Some types of tea can be harmful for your baby.
- Aloe Vera Juice – The natural aloe vera juice meant for ingestion works wonders. It’s best to drink 2-3 oz. 1 to 3 times per day. Or, if it’s easier for you, 20 minutes before a meal in order to prevent acid reflux. Take care not to drink the gel from the plant, because it tastes awful. You’ve been warned!
- Coconut Water – A lot of at home remedies for heartburn include coconut water, which is a recognized acid neutralizer. It is known to bring a quick relief. So your waiting time is significantly shortened.
- Papaya – This is a well-known digestion aid as well as among the most notorious at home remedies for heartburn. There are two things you can do: either eat it raw before your meal, or after it, as dessert. However it seems that eating fruit before anything else is better for your digestion. Because fruits take about 10 to 20 minutes to pass through your digestive tract, whenever you eat them after a meal, a lot of the vitamins and benefits will be lost, as they will rot, having nowhere to go because your intestinal tract will be blocked by other groups of food.
- A spoonful of Baking Soda – Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is a notorious home remedy for heartburn fast. Just like the apple cider vinegar, baking soda is a base substance, meaning that it has a pH higher than 7. So whenever it comes in contact with the acid in your stomach, it neutralizes it. Just mix 1 teaspoon in a glass of water and drink it up. It doesn’t taste too good, and also this is a method that shouldn’t be used abusively.
- Mustard – We bet you didn’t see this one coming. Well yes, mustard is a great home remedie for heartburn. Apart from the fact that it contains sugar, mustard is a healthy treat, with a lot of minerals and some acidic content, due to its vinegar content. And we’ve already talked about the apple cider vinegar’s properties. So just count to three and ingest a spoonful of good sweet mustard.
- Chamomile Tea – This home remedie for heartburn is best to use before going to bed, because it not only calms you down mentally, but it helps reduce the inflammation in the stomach. Chamomile tea is known for inducing relaxation, but as you probably know, relaxation comes from your brain. So serenity all the way, for a great night’s sleep. You can also add some honey if you are not a fan of this tea’s taste, but not before it cools down a bit. You know what they say: honey becomes toxic if you mix it with really hot liquids. And we wouldn’t want that for your baby, would we?
- Peppermint Tea – Some people find that tea works wonders for them, but that drinking the same tea over and over again will eventually get unappealing as your sense of appetite for it may change. If this is the case, then you can swap out your chamomile tea for peppermint tea. Peppermint tea will offer many of the same benefits as chamomille, but it does allow you to switch things up flavor wise. What is wonderful about peppermint tea is the fact that you will feel relaxed and the mint will help to settle your stomach. Just be sure that you carefully sip your tea so that you do not overwhelm your digestive system all at once as this will cause heartburn.
- Licorice – Well licorice is not that great, but it should always be considered among the best home remedies for heartburn during pregnancy. And you don’t have to ingest huge quantities of it, either. Not to mention the fact that it’s not good for your blood pressure when ingested excessively. But try chewable DGL licorice available in natural food stores and chew it before a meal to aid digestion. You can also try the tea version of the licorice.
- Dairy Products – Among the natural, quick remedys, there’s yogurt. In case you are not a big fan, you can replace it with milk or a bit of ice cream. The probiotics contained in yogurt neutralize the acid in your stomach that is giving you a hard time. It kills the bad bacteria, helping the good ones to flourish. Yogurt boosts your immune system and enhances digestion. A few spoons of a fattier version are recommended after a meal, or whenever you feel that heartburn coming. This is among the most delicious home remedies for heartburn while pregnant. When you are pregnant, you will find that your tastebuds will find favor with one type of yogurt and not another. Because of this, you will have to take your time sampling all the different options. A tip that might help is to stick to bland flavors like vanilla.
- Drink water like there’s no tomorrow – The 8-glasses a day theory has been on everyone’s lips at least once. Because a constant intake of water is the best medicine you can find. And in case you didn’t know this, we’re here to remind you of the fact that heartburn can sometimes be a sign of dehydration. So drink up! But keep in mind the fact that water shouldn’t be consumed during meals. At least not great amounts of it. Water must be consumed 30 minutes prior to a meal, in order to prepare the body for digestion, and 1 hour and a half – 2 hours after a meal. Not right after eating, because it dilutes your digestive liquids and it hardens digestion. This tip should be followed at all times, not just while you are pregnant.
- Take an Antiacid – If you find that relief is still difficult to come by, then a great choice to opt for is an antiacid. There are several different brands on the market and you will find that one brand will likely work better for you than another brand. Many women find that chalky, pill like antacids are unappealing and just gross tasting. If this is the case, then you will want to try out a chewy antacid. Chewey antiacids will typically settle better in your stomach. Lastly, because an antiacid will generally start working right away, you want to be sure to carry it around with you everywhere you go because you never know when a bout of heartburn is going to kick in.
Apart from these home remedies for heartburn and indigestion you can try, prevention is the key. So here are some other things you can do in order to prevent constant and severe heartburn.
A bad posture – Not keeping your back straight can be a big deal while you are pregnant. So draw your shoulders backwards and show off your belly. Moreover you should take extra care while you are lying down. Keeping your head higher than you feet can make a significant difference.
Prevent lying down right after a meal – Do you know the great 100-step rule after a good meal? It basically means that you have to move after a meal, not just lie down and go to sleep. At least for the following 30 minutes after ingesting food. In case you really feel the need to lie down, do it on your left side; in this way the acid in your stomach will pass more quickly to your intestines.
Don’t eat a lot in a single sitting – This one applies to your general lifestyle. In other words, no matter how much you are enjoying your meal, save some for later. Ingesting big quantities of food in one sitting is harmful and it slows digestion, causing heartburn and acid reflux. Being pregnant is not an excuse for eating a lot.
Watch what you eat – This simply means you have to take care of your diet and stop following the craziest cravings you might get. Forget carbonated drinks, coffee or chocolate.
Forget about those tight jeans – Wearing suitable clothes for your condition can help you reduce side effects. Tight clothes increase the pressure on your belly, increasing the chances of acid reflux.
Quit smoking – In case you’ve been living under a rock, smoking is not recommended while you are pregnant. You should actually give it up once you decide to get pregnant. No smoking increases your fertility in case you really want to become a mother. This rule applies to men, too. But it’s not them we are talking about here. Smoking is bad for your health. Period. And the harmful substances that cigarettes contain remain in your body for a longer period of time, and there’s no way they won’t affect your baby. So don’t push your luck and smoke while pregnant, even if you do this occasionally. Whats the worst thing you can do? This one.
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