A burning feeling that starts in the stomach…dealing with Heartburn and Indigestion!

Heartburn and Indigestion

Heartburn is a form of indigestion with a burning feeling that starts in the stomach and seems to rise into the throat, caused by leakage of small amounts of hydrochloric acid from the stomach into the esophagus. Greasy fried or spicy food often cause heartburn and indigestion. Try to figure out what foods cause heartburn in you and don’t eat them. In pregnancy pressure from the enlarged womb coupled with relaxation of the valve at the top of the stomach forces acid into the back of the throat. Here are some things you can try, see what works best for you:

Eat smaller, more frequent meals, say 5 to 6 small meals each day, to reduce gastric acid

Drink between meals, not while eating (1/2 hour before meals and 1-2 hours after)

Avoid eating an hour before going to bed

Sleep and rest with your head slightly higher than the rest of your body

If you have heartburn at night, prop yourself up with 2 to 3 pillows to sleep

Take a walk or sit quietly, relax and breathe deeply

Yogurt or milk may help as it neutralizes the effect of gastric acid

Slightly acidic foods, such as fruit juice and tomatoes may provide some relief

Don’t mix dairy and acid foods as this will make you feel sick and give you stomach pains

Avoid highly spiced and fried foods

Peppermint, chamomile, raspberry leaf or ginger tea may help

Fresh coriander, slippery elm or dried paw paw

Umeboshi juice (a Japanese plum available from health food stores). Boil 3 plums in 600 ml of water and keep in the fridge, drink a little when needed

Spearmint or peppermint candies, sweeties,lollies might be helpful

Lemonade or Fruit ice blocks or ice candies can be very cooling and soothing to an upset stomach


If none of these suggestions seem to work for you, talk to your midwife, pharmacist, nutritionist or naturopath. Ask about other remedies or antacids which might be helpful but use them only the way your health care provider advises you.
Keep your medical provider informed of any unusual changes, always discuss with your midwife or doctor anything of concern to you medically.

Do you have some more safe, natural, useful, ideas for pregnant women to try…?
Share them here…