Heartburn

Do you have a churning and burning in your chest after meals, or a feeling that your dinner just keeps hanging around? Heartburn and indigestion are very common complaints in pregnancy.

As your uterus and baby get larger, they put pressure on your intestines and stomach (which, in turn, pushes stomach contents back up into the esophagus). In addition, hormones of pregnancy cause the esophageal sphincter muscle to relax, allowing food to move back up from your stomach.

If you're having problems with heartburn, try eating small, frequent meals, rather than large ones. It's also a good idea to avoid highly spiced foods and allow your meal to settle before bedtime. Some women find adding a pillow or wedge to elevate the head of their bed is helpful. Antacids can help relieve the burn, but talk with your physician before taking these or any other medication.