If there is a burning sensation in the stomach during pregnancy, it is not recommended to use medication as it can have an impact on the fetus. If the pregnant mother experiences discomfort in the stomach, she can first consume some lighter foods or drink some warm water to see if it will alleviate the discomfort. At the same time, it is important to avoid overeating or undereating in daily meals to prevent burdening the stomach and intestines, and to avoid consuming overly stimulating foods. To treat heartburn, the first step should be to reduce the frequency of reflux of food from the stomach to the esophagus. Therefore, the following 12 treatments can be followed:
1. Eat small meals frequently throughout the day to avoid overstretching the stomach and reduce the occurrence of acid reflux.
2. Avoid eating within 2 hours before bedtime. Do not lie down for rest within half an hour to one hour after meals.
3. When sleeping, try to use a pillow to elevate the head by 15 cm to prevent reflux.
4. Traditional stomach remedies and other gastric medications can be taken within 30 minutes after meals to neutralize stomach acid.
5. If the pregnant woman is overweight, she should manage her weight gain by avoiding high-sugar foods or drinks, including syrups and high-starch foods like bread.
6. If the pregnant woman smokes, she must quit smoking as it can accelerate gastric acid secretion.
7. Avoid fried or high-fat foods that can cause indigestion, as well as acidic foods or vinegar that can trigger heartburn.
8. Tea and coffee can expand the muscles of the esophagus and increase the reflux of stomach acid.
9. Avoid eating food that is too cold or too hot, as well as spicy foods, as they can irritate the stomach.
10. Increase consumption of vegetables rich in carotenoids and fruits rich in vitamin C, such as carrots, cabbage, red and green peppers, and kiwi fruits.
