There is a lot of talk surrounding the topic that heartburn in early pregnancy is a sign of twins. A lot of people are also asking questions like what does heartburn in pregnancy mean? Therefore in this article, we wish to demystify and present to you facts surrounding heartburn in early pregnancy.
Content
- What is Heartburn?
- Pregnancy and Heartburn
- Causes of heartburn during pregnancy
- Heartburn Symptoms During Pregnancy
- What makes it better
- Myths about Heartburn During Early Pregnancy
Firstly, let us understand what heartburn really is before we talk about if having it early on in pregnancy is a sign of twins. So sit tight as we take off on this exciting journey.
What is Heartburn?
Notwithstanding its name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. Although, some symptoms are similar to those of heart disease or even a heart attack. Heartburn is an irritation of the esophagus caused by stomach acid and is a common complaint of pregnancy, especially in the third trimester when the uterus is growing. It puts pressure on the stomach.
With the help of gravity, a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES keeps stomach acid in the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter is located where the esophagus meets the stomach. Normally, it opens to allow food to enter the stomach then it closes. But if it opens too often or does not close enough, stomach acid may return or seep into the esophagus and cause a burning sensation.
Occasional heartburn is not dangerous, but chronic heartburn can indicate serious problems, such as gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD.
So can heartburn in early pregnancy really be a sign of twins? Continue reading to get the answer to this question.
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Pregnancy and Heartburn
What does heartburn in pregnancy mean? Usually, heartburn in pregnancy hits somewhere during the second or third trimester, and it can be miserable. Just like we have earlier said, heartburn does not really mean that your heart is burning, but it is a good description of the discomforts that comes with it. The distress usually begins behind the breastbone. Then it goes up to the neck and throat.
Indigestion, acid reflux or heartburn are the symptoms that begin early in pregnancy before a missed period. But the problem usually increases during the third trimester when your baby’s size increases and the pressure pushes against your stomach.
If you have trouble sleeping at night due to these conditions, eat two or three hours before bedtime. It allows appropriate time for digestion.
Also, use some pillows while sleeping so that your stomach is lower than your head.
Causes of Heartburn During Pregnancy
If you had heartburn before becoming pregnant, you are more likely to have symptoms during pregnancy. Although the exact reasons are not clear, most experts believe that pregnancy hormones, especially progesterone, play an important role. The hormones cause esophageal sphincter relaxation. This allows partially digested food and stomach acids to flow back, or reflux, into the esophagus. In addition, progesterone also slows the digestive process. This keeps food in the stomach for longer.
Also, in the third trimester of pregnancy, the baby squeezes the digestive organs and causes heartburn. But it has no effect on the baby. The upward pressure of the growing uterus can also play a role.
So does this mean that heartburn in early pregnancy is a sign of twins? Is this a myth or is it scientifically proven? Read on for the answer to this question.
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Heartburn Symptoms During Pregnancy
Common symptoms of heartburn reported by pregnant women include:
- A burning sensation in the chest just behind the sternum that occurs after eating and lasts from a few minutes to several hours.
- Chest pain, especially after bending over, lying down or eating.
- Burning in the throat or hot, acidic or salty liquid in the back of the throat.
- Belching
- Chronic cough
- Hoarseness
- Wheezing or other asthma symptoms.
What Makes it Better
Unfortunately, no matter what you do, you will probably still feel the burn sometimes. Talk to your gynecologist about medications that are safe during pregnancy to relieve heartburn.
Your doctor will probably recommend antacids, such as Digene, mucaine gel, Gelusil, Gaviscon, which neutralize stomach acid. They can provide quick but symptomatic relief.
For prolonged relief, your doctor may prescribe H-2 receptor blockers. These are the drugs to treat excess production of acid in the stomach. For example. cimetidine, famotidine (tab famocid 20mg) or ranitidine (tab Zinetac 150).
For doses, see the Medication regimen for acid reflux relief.
You can reduce the risk and severity of heartburn by eating foods such as coffee, chocolate, tea, fried foods, citrus fruits, tomato sauces, and spicy things. It also helps to sleep with a slightly raised head and consume small liquids with meals.
Source: www.thebump.com
Myths about Heartburn During Early Pregnancy
MYTH 1: Heartburn in early pregnancy determines gender
More heartburns mean a sign of a male child in the womb but there is no evidence of this.
MYTH 2: Heartburn during pregnancy determines hair quantity
It is a myth that if you suffer from heartburn during pregnancy, your baby will be born with a lot of hair.
But the fact is that heartburn is a common problem among pregnant women and has nothing to do with the amount of hair for your child.
MYTH 3: Is heartburn early in pregnancy a sign of twins?
Pregnant mothers with twins complain of more heartburn due to the increased pressure of babies pushing against their stomachs than mothers who do.
But it is difficult to distinguish the severity of heartburn between the two conditions.
Summary and Recommendation
Going through this article and understanding what heartburn is and its causes do you still think that heartburn during early pregnancy is a sign of twins?
Well, there is no scientific or medical proof to support this claim. Therefore, I do not think that heartburn in early pregnancy is a sign of twins.
If you are pregnant and experiencing heartburn, please consult your gynecologist for proper medical advice and treatment.
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Regards,
Just Health Care Tips.
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