Hello!
First, congratulations to you! Reflux and pregnancy go hand in hand so you have lots of company. It sounds like you and the doctor are trying a variety of acid reducer medications to control the reflux. That is a good start.
How and what you eat can also make a difference:
Wear loose clothing around your waist.
Avoid bending at the waist after a meal. Let someone else pick up something from the floor or tie your shoes.
Avoid eating before naps or bed.
Avoid acidic food such as tomatoes, oranges, spicy foods and caffiene.
Eat small snacks rather than meals. Chew slowly and carefully.
Fried and high fat foods digest slowly so go easy on these foods too.
Some people have success eating first, digesting and then having a drink.
Keep your digestive tract moving by increasing fiber and avoiding constipation. I know this is challenging with all of the iron in prenatal vitamins.
If you are having serious issues keeping food and fluids down, you need to go to the ER or get a consultation with a GI doctor.
I think the biggest challenge with reflux and pregnancy is getting all of the nutrients and calories in without causing painful symptoms. As much as I craved chocolate cake and fun foods, it always came back to me in the form of painful heartburn.
The good news is, pregnancy related reflux often goes away after birth so make a list of your must have foods for after the pregnancy.
Good luck,
Jan Gambino
The Reflux Mom
Hello!
First, congratulations to you! Reflux and pregnancy go hand in hand so you have lots of company. It sounds like you and the doctor are trying a variety of acid reducer medications to control the reflux. That is a good start.
How and what you eat can also make a difference:
Wear loose clothing around your waist.
Avoid bending at the waist after a meal. Let someone else pick up something from the floor or tie your shoes.
Avoid eating before naps or bed.
Avoid acidic food such as tomatoes, oranges, spicy foods and caffiene.
Eat small snacks rather than meals. Chew slowly and carefully.
Fried and high fat foods digest slowly so go easy on these foods too.
Some people have success eating first, digesting and then having a drink.
Keep your digestive tract moving by increasing fiber and avoiding constipation. I know this is challenging with all of the iron in prenatal vitamins.
If you are having serious issues keeping food and fluids down, you need to go to the ER or get a consultation with a GI doctor.
I think the biggest challenge with reflux and pregnancy is getting all of the nutrients and calories in without causing painful symptoms. As much as I craved chocolate cake and fun foods, it always came back to me in the form of painful heartburn.
The good news is, pregnancy related reflux often goes away after birth so make a list of your must have foods for after the pregnancy.
Good luck,
Jan Gambino
The Reflux Mom