Reflux in pregnancy: symptoms, causes and treatment

Reflux during pregnancy is common and can cause symptoms such as heartburn, burning in the chest or neck and the sensation of ingested food rising in the throat, which can persist throughout pregnancy.

It is believed that reflux during pregnancy is caused by hormonal changes common during this period and the baby’s growth, and is more common at the end of the first trimester.

If you suspect reflux during pregnancy, it is recommended to consult your obstetrician. Treatment typically involves measures such as eating smaller meals or avoiding eating immediately before bed, avoiding liquids with meals, and sometimes antacid medications to alleviate symptoms.

Reflux symptoms in pregnancy

The main symptoms of reflux during pregnancy are:

• Asia;
• Burning sensation in the chest or neck;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Feeling the food coming back and going up the esophagus;
• Sore throat;
• Pain when swallowing food;
• Cough;
• Hoarseness.

Reflux symptoms during pregnancy tend to begin at the end of the first trimester and persist throughout pregnancy, being more intense in the last months. Additionally, symptoms usually improve after giving birth.

Online symptom test

To find out the chances of having reflux, please select the symptoms you present:

This test is a tool that serves only as a means of guidance and is not intended to provide a diagnosis or replace consultation with a gastroenterologist or general practitioner.

Main causes

Reflux in pregnancy is believed to be caused by the effects of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone on the esophagus, causing it to relax, and the growth of the baby in the uterus, which compresses the stomach and forces food up.

Furthermore, the hormonal changes that are common during pregnancy can also cause a slowdown in the transit of food through the digestive system, favoring the development of reflux.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of reflux during pregnancy is normally made by the obstetrician taking into account only the symptoms presented by the woman.

How the treatment is carried out

Treatment for reflux during pregnancy is mainly done with changes in diet and lifestyle habits. However, the use of antacid medications may also be recommended by the obstetrician, especially when reflux symptoms do not improve despite changes in diet.

1. Changes in diet

In case of reflux during pregnancy, dietary changes are recommended, such as eating smaller meals, drinking less liquid during meals and avoiding eating at least 3 hours before bed.

Furthermore, it is recommended to avoid the consumption of chocolate, mint, coffee, pepper and acidic foods, such as oranges and pineapple, as they relax the esophageal muscle, facilitating the return of food, and irritate the stomach, worsening the symptoms of the disease. Find out what reflux food should be like.

2. Medicines

Some magnesium or calcium-based medications can be used during pregnancy to combat reflux symptoms, such as bisurated magnesia tablets, milk of magnesia or mylanta plus.

However, it is important to remember that all medication must be taken according to medical advice. Furthermore, pregnant women should avoid using sodium bicarbonate-based medications, as they increase fluid retention.

3. Natural treatment

To treat reflux naturally, you can use alternatives such as acupuncture and aromatherapy, in which lemon and orange essential oils are used to massage the chest and back or to exhale vapors into the environment.

To complement the treatment recommended by the doctor, some teas such as peppermint, chamomile, ginger and dandelion tea can also be used. See the complete list of teas that are prohibited during pregnancy.

Check out the video below for some tips on what to eat to alleviate reflux symptoms: