when does heartburn start when you are pregnant?

Question

Just wondering because I really dont know what it feels like, I love spicy foods, especially now. Some friends told me I shouldnt eat it because of the heartburn. But I dont think I have had that problem yet.

Answer 1

Lately I've felt a terrible burning sensation in my chest after eating. Is it heartburn?
Most likely. Many women experience heartburn for the first time during pregnancy — and though it's common and generally harmless, it can be quite uncomfortable.

Heartburn (also called acid indigestion or acid reflux) is a burning sensation that often extends from the bottom of the breastbone to the lower throat. It's caused by some of the hormonal and physical changes in your body.

During pregnancy, the placenta produces the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the smooth muscles of the uterus. This hormone also relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach, allowing gastric acids to seep back up, which causes that unpleasant burning sensation.

Progesterone also slows down the wavelike contractions of your esophagus and intestines, making digestion sluggish. Later in pregnancy, your growing baby crowds your abdominal cavity, pushing the stomach acids back up into the esophagus.

Many women start experiencing heartburn and other gastrointestinal discomforts in the second half of pregnancy. Unfortunately, it usually comes and goes until your baby is born.

What can I do about it?
Though you may not be able to eliminate heartburn entirely, you can take steps to minimize your discomfort:
• Avoid food and beverages that cause you gastrointestinal distress. The usual suspects are carbonated drinks; alcohol (which you should avoid anyway during pregnancy); caffeine; chocolate; acidic foods like citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, mustard, and vinegar; processed meats; mint products; and spicy, highly seasoned, fried, or fatty foods.

• Don't eat big meals. Instead, eat several small meals throughout the day. Take your time eating and chew thoroughly.

• Avoid drinking large quantities of fluids during meals — you don't want to distend your stomach. (It's important to drink eight to ten glasses of water daily during pregnancy, but sip it between meals.)

• Try chewing gum after eating. Chewing gum stimulates your salivary glands, and saliva can help neutralize acid.

• Don't eat close to bedtime. Give yourself two to three hours to digest before you lie down.

• Sleep propped up with several pillows or a wedge. Elevating your upper body will help keep your stomach acids where they belong and will aid your digestion.

• Gain a sensible amount of weight, and stay within the guidelines your healthcare provider suggests.

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Avoid any tightness around your waist and tummy.

• Bend at the knees instead of at the waist.

• Don't smoke — in addition to contributing to a host of serious health problems, smoking boosts stomach acidity. (Ideally, smoking is a habit you should break before getting pregnant. If you're still smoking and are having trouble quitting, ask your caregiver for a referral to a smoking-cessation program.)

• An over-the-counter antacid that contains magnesium or calcium may ease discomfort, but check with your prenatal caregiver before taking one, because some brands contain aluminum or aspirin or are high in sodium. You should also check in with your healthcare provider if none of these suggestions helps.

Sorry the answer is so long, but I thought you might need all the information you could get. Congradulations

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I love spicy food as well and I ate the hell out of it for the first few months. When I hit about 5 months I started getting it and now I have to be really careful what I eat or I will get really bad heartburn. It depends on the person. You might get lucky the baby might like spicy food and wont throw a fit whenever you eat it. I have plenty of friends that are pregnant and we all got it but at different stages. I think only one of my friends got lucky and didn't get it until month 8. Good luck and congrats!!

Answer 4

My heartburn started around 25 weeks. You may not have heartburn, every pregnancy is different. But if you do get heartburn it seems like every food you eat will give you heartburn.

Good luck and hope you dont get it.

Answer 5

Not all women get heart burn.... some get it the whole time and some get it and it goes away. I am at 20 weeks and mine was worse in the first trimester and is fading away now.....Go get a book called " what to expect when you are expecting" by Heidi Murkoff. It's the pregnancy bible and will help with all these questions. Your question as well as many others that you would not expect is in there. It's excellent in describing all of these little things that worry moms and help distinguish when something is "normal" or not.
Good Luck!

Answer 6

mine started within the first two months...and just got worse from there...but I still eat my spicy food...I seemed to have more trouble with carbinated drinks...like mineral water and that kind of thing...

THE ONLY THING that stops the heartburn dead in it's tracks (and was ok'd by my doctor) is Pepcid Complete (NOT PEPCID AC) only Pecid Complete...it's so much better than tums or rolaids and has allowed me to go on eating my jalapeno poppers, and all my other spicy favorites...

Congratulations, and good luck

Answer 7

Depends on the person. Everyone is differnt. I've had 6 kids and never had heartburn!

Answer 8

Mine started at about 28 weeks. My best friend is pregnant and her's started at 20 weeks. I guess it varies from person to person, some people don't get it at all.

Answer 9

Some people don't get heart burn when there pregnant so hopefully your one of them I didn't get it at all I was able to eat spicy food the whole time with no problems.

Answer 10

Just like the old saying goes no two pregnencies are the same. So the answer is you may get it and you may not. The more you dwell on problems the harder the pregnacy is. So just enjoy what is happening to your body and the feeling that you get when you first feel that little life move inside you. Oh and congratulations.