According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Director of Surgery, Phuong Dong General Hospital, pregnancy is a special stage in a woman's life, but also a stage when many pregnant mothers have to face health changes, including gastroesophageal reflux. So why is pregnancy prone to reflux and how to minimize this condition?
Why is pregnancy a cause of reflux?
Pregnancy is one of the leading risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to physiological and anatomical changes taking place in a woman's body.
Mechanisms leading to relapse during pregnancy
Increased pressure in the abdominal cavity: As the fetus develops, the uterus expands and puts pressure on the stomach. This pressure pushes the stomach up and increases the risk of acid reflux to the esophagus.
Subtogenic sphincter relaxation (LES): The increase in progesterone hormone during pregnancy relaxes the smooth muscle, including the subtogenic sphincter. When this muscle relaxes, the ability to block reflux decreases, creating conditions for acid from the stomach to easily reflux into the esophagus.
Slow empty stomach: The increase in progesterone hormone also slows down the digestive process, leading to slower empty stomach, increasing the risk of reflux.
Treat reflux during pregnancy to avoid affecting the fetus
GERD treatment during pregnancy needs to be carried out carefully so as not to harm the fetus. Below are safe treatment and management measures for pregnant women:
Lifestyle changes:
Divide meals: Eat many small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals to reduce pressure on the stomach.
Avoid lying down immediately after eating: Wait at least 2-3 hours after eating before lying down.
Raise the head of the bed: Raise the head of the bed or use a pillow to keep the upper body higher than the abdomen when sleeping.
Avoid stimulant foods: Such as fatty foods, spicy foods, caffeine and chocolate.
Wear loose clothes: Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight to avoid putting more pressure on your stomach.
Advice for pregnant women to limit reflux
Maintain a healthy diet: Choose easily digestible foods, avoid foods that can cause reflux.
Drink plenty of water: Helps support digestion and keep the body hydrated, but should drink many times a day and avoid drinking a lot of water at the same time as meals.
Adjust sleep posture: Lying on your left side when sleeping can help reduce pressure on the stomach and limit reflux.
Gentle exercise: Regularly doing gentle exercise, such as walking, can help improve digestion and reduce the risk of reflux.
Control stress: Stress can increase the risk of reflux, so find ways to relax and reduce stress through yoga, meditation, or other relaxation activities.
Combining the above measures can help pregnant women control and minimize symptoms of reflux, ensuring health for both mother and fetus.
