Pregnancy Health Information Organization

Heartburn

Up to 80% of pregnant women suffer from heartburn, a burning feeling in the chest and throat. Greater elasticity of the abdominal muscles can cause the valve at the entrance of the stomach to remain slightly open instead of closing slightly so that stomach fluids return up the esophagus. Some symptoms of heartburn are sensations of burning, or acid, in the throat, nausea, and/or unpleasant taste in the mouth

Tips on coping with heartburn:

- Eat small, frequent
- Sleep with several pillows to keep your body raised
- Wear slightly loose fitting clothing
- Use gravity to help keep the food down.
- Lie on your right side
- Limit fluid intake to only with meals

Diet and Nutrition

- try not to eat acidic foods (proteins) with alkaline foods (carbohydrates)
- keep a list of foods that aggravate your heart burn and avoid them
- avoid fatty foods
- eat milk, cream, low fat ice cream right before a meal to coat your stomach

Complementary Treatments

Acupressure
- 4 fingers above the midpoint between the bellybutton and bottom breast bone. Press for 5 seconds during 5-10 mins.

Homeopathy
- Flatulence and discomfort after eating - carbo veg. 6c
- heavy full feeling in stomach - nux vomica 6c
- gurgling, rumbling stomach - pulsatilla 6c

Aromatherapy
- massage abdomen, with 4 drops of an essential oil such as lavender, in circular motions for up to 30 mins.

Western Herbalism
- whole or grounded seeds such as caraway, dill and fennel that are chewed or added to food
- lemon balm, chamomile or peppermint tea

Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine

Return to top of Page

_______________________________________

The information on this website is compiled and written by;

Vancouver Pregnancy & labour (labor) Acupuncturist

Raeghan Siemens, R.Ac., DTCM
Raeghan Siemens has always had an interest in medicine;
but she found her true passion in Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture.
Her special interests are treating Pregnancy related issues and aiding women through labour (labor).

Raeghan practices at Acubalance Wellness Centre Ltd. in Vancouver BC Canada.

_______________________________________

Return to top of Page

[ Home ] [ Anatomy and Physiology ] [ First Very Early Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy ]
[ Pregnancy Tests ] [ Conventional Pregnancy Care ] [ Exercise and Fitness during Pregnancy ]
[ How to Calculate your Due Date ] [ Midwifery ] [ Medical Care Tests During Pregnancy ]
[ Questions for Your Pregnancy Care Provider ] [ Vitamins, minerals, supplements, and nutrients for Pregnancy ]
[ Baby Development ] [ Mother Development ] [ labour (labor) & Delivery ] [ Common Conditions ]
[ Doula Services ] [ Foods to Avoid during Pregnancy ] [ Herbs to Avoid during Pregnancy ]
[ Other things to Avoid during Pregnancy ] [ Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine ]
[ Breastfeeding ] [ Resources ] [ Glossary ] [ Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of British Columbia (BC) ] [ Contact Information ] [ Find an Acupuncturist in Vancouver ]

copyright � Health Information Organization. 2005.
[Terms and Conditions] [Disclaimer] [Privacy Policy]

[anatomy physiology] [acupuncture chinese medicine] [avoid during pregnancy] [vitamins minerals nutrients supplements diet] [exercise fitness] [medical care] [midwife] [miscarriage] [products store] [first very early signs symptoms] [baby development] [mother development] [articles] [breastfeeding] [chiropractic] [doula] [labour labor birth delivery] [massage] [pregnancy tests]