Avoid Trigger Foods

Try to avoid the following foods if they trigger heartburn:

• Caffeinated drinks – Try using decaffeinated coffee and soda. Caffeine can increase acid production and trigger heartburn.
• Greasy foods – High fat foods take a long time to move through the digestive tract. This can cause a buildup of acids in the stomach.
• Citrus foods – These foods contain acids and can give you heartburn. There are other ways to get vitamin C like bell peppers and there is a “low-acid” type orange juice.
• Chocolate – Try to eat minimal amounts of chocolate and it is helpful to eat it after a meal. Eating chocolate on an empty stomach can stimulate acid production.
• Alcoholic drinks – Alcohol is not safe to drink while you are pregnant and it is important for all reasons to not drink while you are pregnant.

Eat Small Meals

Having a relaxed esophagus means that eating extra food won’t stay down very well. Try to eat less at each sitting and spread meals out over the course of the day.

Eat Slowly

Eating too fast and not chewing your food enough can cause you to get heartburn. Eating more slowly will aid digestion and give your food time to go down.

Sip Your Drinks

Gulping down your drinks can dilute stomach acid and push them up. Sip your drinks slowly and try not to drink an entire glass of fluid at once.

Don’t Lie Down After Eating

Instead of lying down, take a quick walk or sit upright until your food digests.

Don’t Eat at Bedtime

Your digestion slows when you sleep and lying down, it can push acid back up to the esophagus. Don’t eat at least three hours prior to going to bed and try not to drink to many fluids before bed either.

Keep Your Head and Shoulders Elevated

Keeping your head and shoulder elevated when sleeping will prevent fluids from coming back up when you’re sleeping. Use a wedge type pillow or place some blocks under the legs of your bed at the top.

Try Ginger

Ginger is a very safe and all-natural remedy for nausea, vomiting and heartburn. It has been used for centuries with no side-effects or harm. Try sipping ginger ale or eating ginger products to settle your stomach.

Do Not Smoke

Not only can smoking harm you and your baby, it causes heartburn. If you can’t quit, try to find help quitting.

Chew Thoroughly

The more you chew your food, the better your body can digest it after you swallow. If food is not chewed enough, the body has to produce more acid to finish the process. More acid means more chance of heartburn.

Avoid Spicy Foods

Spicy foods can increase stomach discomfort. Try to eat dishes made without heavy spices or seasonings.

Avoid Processed Foods

Foods that contain heavy amounts of preservatives and salt can cause heartburn. Try to eat fresh all-natural foods.

Drink Milk

Milk has been used as a heartburn remedy for a very long time. The calcium in milk can neutralize stomach acids.

Use an Over-the-Counter-Remedy

With your doctor’s okay, you might need to resort to a calcium based antacid like Tums or Maalox. Do not use any medications without checking with your doctor and use caution not to use them too often, they can cause acid rebound after you stop taking them. In addition, excess calcium can cause swelling and fluids to build up in your cells.