Causes Of Heartburn During Pregnancy

When a pregnancy is announced in the life of a family it is often met with a joyous reaction. This is because a new life will be brought into the world and is a reflection of a love shared between two individuals.

However, the process of a pregnancy normally takes nine months and during this course of nine months a number of unpleasant things occur. For example there may be for the woman a weight gain, retention of water, back pain, etc.

In addition, the pregnancy may bring on episodes of heartburn. Therefore, it is important to know what heartburn is and what some causes of heartburn during a pregnancy are.

What Is Heartburn?

Heartburn is that uncomfortable condition in which acid from the stomach is released backwards and flows upward into the esophagus and sometimes into the mouth. The actual burning is caused by the reflux of hydrochloric acid into the sensitive esophageal area where the tissue is unprotected and is literally burned by the affects of the acid.



The location of heartburn is usually in the middle of the chest right underneath the sternum or breastbone. In addition, associated pain is not only a burning sensation that is experienced in the esophagus, but may extend upwards into the throat and jaw area

There are a number of common causes of heartburn. Some of those common causes of heartburn can include an individual’s choice of lifestyle. Some of those lifestyle choices could be the spicy food that they eat or the way that the food is prepared or the food that is actually consumed. In addition, heartburn can be attributed to all of these factors or combination of factors.

Also, heartburn can be caused by an individual’s consumption of too much alcohol, smoking or use of other tobacco products. In addition, another contributing factor to heartburn can be if an individual is overweight. This excess weight can put too much strain upon the stomach which allows the leakage of hydrochloric acid back up into the esophagus.

One other factor that may cause heartburn is a non-functioning sphincter muscle which is located at the top of the stomach. If this sphincter muscle is weakened or loses its elasticity, this condition may allow the leakage of hydrochloric acid back up into the esophagus.

What Are Some Causes Of Heartburn During Pregnancy

One other contributing factor to heartburn can be when a woman gets pregnant. Specifically, causes of heartburn during pregnancy can be attributed to a number of factors. Generally, heartburn occurs during the third trimester of a woman’s pregnancy.

One of the major causes of heartburn during pregnancy is due to the fact that the pregnant woman’s hormones cause many physical changes. One of those physical changes is that the stomach sphincter located at the top of the stomach relaxes. This relaxation allows the acid to flow upwards into the esophagus.

In addition another common cause of heartburn during pregnancy is due to the fact that the stomach is not as active when the woman is pregnant as it is when she is not pregnant. Therefore, this sluggishness slows down the digestive process and allows for excess hydrochloric acid to remain in the stomach. The excess acid needs to be released and unfortunately that excess is released backwards into the esophagus.

One other major cause of heartburn during pregnancy is the fact that the DV begins to develop and grow within the others won’t. This growing of the child in the womb begins to crowd the abdomen which can then precipitate a heartburn condition.