Can heartburn be an early sign of pregnancy

Heartburn, gas, tender breasts, and more

Think you might be pregnant? Here are the most common pregnancy signs in the first month.

When you’re hoping to be pregnant and you haven’t missed your period yet—or it’s a day or two late—it’s pretty easy to interpret nearly any physical symptom as a sign of pregnancy. It’s not uncommon to feel symptoms in the first week or two of your pregnancy—or even earlier. “Some women experience pregnancy symptoms from the moment of conception,” says Karen Nordahl, a general practitioner and obstetrician in Vancouver and co-author of Fit to Deliver. “Usually, this is second- or third-time moms who remember a particular sensation, such as increased gas.” But many first-time moms miss these early pregnancy signs because the very first symptoms aren’t necessarily the ones we associate with having a baby on the way. So, yes, while some women experience nausea or hypersensitivity to smells, these seven symptoms are among the most common during the first few weeks of pregnancy.

1. Pregnancy sign: Heartburn

Digestive changes are one of the most common early pregnancy signs, says Nordahl. If you feel a burning sensation in your chest after scarfing down your usual black coffee and egg-salad sandwich from the deli near your office, it might not be that the deli changed the recipe to include green onions or switched coffee brands; it could actually be pregnancy-related heartburn. One telltale sign of heartburn is that the burning sensation can feel worse when you bend over or lie down. It’s safe to reach for an antacid to relieve the burning, but also try to avoid certain foods, such as citrus fruits.

2. Pregnancy sign: Sore breasts

Before you start cursing your bra for suddenly feeling more like a contraption from the hardware store than the lacy lingerie that took a serious chunk out of your paycheque, consider that your newly sore boobs could be a sign that you’re pregnant. Breast tenderness is another common early pregnancy sign, according to Nordahl. For many women, what can make this symptom particularly confusing is that breast soreness is also a very common sign of your period. But early on in your pregnancy, your breasts may hurt because they’re expanding in preparation for producing milk.

3. Pregnancy sign: Increased gas

Being gassy—or, less eloquently, “farty”—is no problem when you’re chillaxing alone in your threadbare sweatpants, but it’s next-level horrifying when you’re out and about anywhere else. Unfortunately, it’s one of the more common early pregnancy signs. Expect flatulence during not only the first few weeks of pregnancy but also the next nine months. Inevitably, your unruly gas will strike right in the middle of a work meeting or during a cool-down in your silent yoga class.

4. Pregnancy sign: Bloating

Can’t zip up those light-wash jeans that fit like a glove a few weeks ago? It could be that extra-large soda and popcorn you inhaled while transfixed on the onscreen hunk at the cinema last night, but it could also be a sign that you’re expecting. Like breast tenderness, abdominal bloating is a symptom that’s common before your period, making it hard to tell apart from monthly premenstrual symptoms. The usual tactic to fight extra bloating and constipation is to ease up on excess salt and stay hydrated with water, both of which are good habits, whether you’re pregnant or not. But you might also want to buy a pregnancy test.

5. Pregnancy sign: Lower pelvic cramping

Pelvic cramping as an early pregnancy sign? Yep, it can be, according to Nordahl. That might seem counterintuitive, as cramps are super-typical symptoms of Aunt Flow. You were probably hoping that being pregnant meant you could kiss cramps goodbye, but sadly that’s not the case. Light cramps can be caused by early pregnancy hormonal shifts and implantation of the fertilized egg on your uterine lining.

6. Pregnancy sign: Fullness

The unusual sensation of feeling “full” is yet another early symptom of pregnancy. “Fullness can be experienced before a period is missed, but a first-time mom may miss it,” says Nordahl. “A second- or third-time mom may pick up on it right away, especially if she is actively trying to conceive.” If you’re getting a feeling of déjà vu from previous pregnancies that you’re experiencing at the gut level (literally), congrats, you could be preggo!

7. Pregnancy sign: A missed period

Well, duh, of course a missed period is the most common of early pregnancy signs. For many women who haven’t been pregnant before, this is usually the first symptom they notice, explains Nordahl. But hindsight is often 20/20. “A first-time mom usually thinks back and realizes that a few things were different but wasn’t sure what they meant,” she says.

Read more:
Due date calculator
Pregnancy by week: Follow along as your baby grows
Pregnancy food guide

See more on Getting Pregnant

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Is Heartburn a Sign of Early Pregnancy?| TUMS

There are so many noticeable changes going on in your body when you’re pregnant. But there are also subtle symptoms of pregnancy you may have before you know you're pregnant. You might be wondering, is heartburn an early pregnancy sign?

Let’s take a look at heartburn and how it might relate to pregnancy symptoms, as well as how to manage some discomfort you might be experiencing.

So, Is Heartburn an Early Sign of Pregnancy?

It is—for some women.

Let’s back up a second and define “heartburn” because, for some women, it might be the first time they’ve experienced this digestive symptom. Heartburn is a term that describes a burning sensation in your chest. You feel heartburn when stomach acid refluxes, or seeps back up, into your esophagus, the part of the digestive track that connects your mouth to your stomach.

While every woman’s body is different, and you can certainly experience heartburn and indigestion without being pregnant, heartburn can occur at any point in a pregnancy¹. So, a woman may experience heartburn as an early pregnancy symptom—even before she knows she’s pregnant.

If you have recently been experiencing symptoms of heartburn and indigestion and think you might be pregnant, see your doctor.

Will I experience heartburn while I am pregnant?

Possibly—and likely. Many women experience heartburn beyond their first trimester of pregnancy². There are a few reasons why:

Hormones relax muscles…

During pregnancy, a rising level of the hormone progesterone relaxes the valve (known as the lower esophageal sphincter) that separate the stomach and esophagus. As a result, stomach acids can flow back into your esophagus² and lead to some of the classic uncomfortable heartburn feelings that come with acid indigestion.

…and slow digestion

Additional hormones slow digestion, which mean food may stay in your stomach longer² and lead to a higher likelihood of acid indigestion.

The uterus crowds other organs

Later, as a pregnancy progresses and the uterus expands, it puts pressure on other organs in the abdomen³—including the stomach.

So, a stomach getting pushed out of place, with the food in it lingering longer, and a valve to the throat that’s a bit looser. The result? Heartburn.

A baby with lots of hair?

You might have heard the old wives’ tale that having heartburn while pregnant means you’ll deliver a baby with a more hair on its head. One small scientific study years ago did find a correlation⁴! Make of that what you will.

Treatment for Heartburn and Acid Indigestion During Early Pregnancy

Before jumping into the possible treatment options for pesky heartburn, confirm you are indeed pregnant with your trusted health care provider. They can help you better understand how to approach your symptoms and decide next steps.

If you are indeed pregnant and experiencing heartburn, we recommend taking the following measures to keep your heartburn symptoms at bay.³

Avoid foods that flare up your symptoms. These might include spicy foods, fried foods or meals, caffeine such as coffee or soda. Create a journal of foods that you’ve noticed might cause upset stomach.
Stay away from large meals just before bedtime. This can trigger acid reflux due to your sleeping position.
Sleep with a pillow wedge that raises your head to deter acid reflux.
Consult with your doctor to determine whether an antacid, like TUMS, would be right for you.

While it’s no fun to experience heartburn and acid indigestion, talk to your care provider about the many tools and resources to help you manage. Whether together you decide you should use TUMS to help manage your symptoms or find comfort in pairing antacids with other preventative measures, you have options.

Read more about heartburn and pregnancy and other heartburn and indigestion-related issues.

Sources

Simerpal Kaur Gill, Caroline Maltepe and Gideon Koren. The effect of heartburn and acid reflux on the severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology, April 2009. 23(4):270-272. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2711677/
Juan C Vazquez. Heartburn in pregnancy. BMJ (British Medical Journal) Clinic Evidence, 2015; 2015: 1411. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4562453/
Pregnancy – signs and symptoms. Department of Health, State Government of Victoria, Australia. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/pregnancy-signs-and-symptoms.
Kathleen A. Costigan, Heather L. Sipsma and Janet A. DiPietro. Pregnancy Folklore Revisited: The Case of Heartburn and Hair. Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care, November 2006. Volume 33, Issue 4 p. 311-314. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1523-536X.2006.00128.x

Can heartburn be a sign of early pregnancy?

Many girls, who are waiting for the desired pregnancy, begin to carefully record unusual sensations and symptoms that were not there before. The first signs of fertilization are mood swings, engorgement of the mammary glands and a delay in menstruation. But can heartburn be one of the signs of early pregnancy? After all, stomach problems often begin or worsen 7-10 days after conception. Today we will talk about how to recognize pregnancy by early signs, among which is the manifestation of heartburn, why discomfort occurs, and how to eliminate it.

Is there early heartburn?

It is definitely not possible to take heartburn as the first sign of pregnancy, since additional symptoms are needed to determine conception. But it can be said for sure that the sign often occurs at an early stage. The symptoms are especially aggravated when a woman lies on her right side, takes a supine position immediately after eating, or leans forward sharply.

Fact! A week after fertilization, the load on the digestive organs increases. The diaphragm rises up, which can cause heartburn to occur more often. In the second or third trimesters of pregnancy, this symptom is more pronounced, but it can also be present in the first weeks after conception.

Even in the earliest stages of pregnancy, heartburn can appear

Can heartburn be a sign of pregnancy before the delay?

Heartburn as a sign of pregnancy, detected before the delay, should be taken only secondarily. Initially, the symptom indicates problems with the gastrointestinal tract. These are gastritis (inflammation of the walls of the stomach), an ulcer, dyspeptic symptoms, a hernia of the esophagus and other pathologies. They are accompanied by flatulence, burning behind the sternum, belching and increased salivation.

Heartburn in early pregnancy, if the woman does not have health problems and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, may be present before the delay. But the expectant mother can mark her appearance only a week after fertilization. During this period, the fetus manages to penetrate from the ovary through the fallopian tube into the uterine cavity and gain a foothold on one of the walls. From this moment, pregnancy is considered to have begun, and signs of hormonal changes appear more and more pronounced. Therefore, women who are attentive to their health, keep a calendar of menstruation and want pregnancy, even on such a basis as heartburn, they can guess about conception.

Other signs of pregnancy

Heartburn in the early stages does not necessarily always indicate the onset of conception, other early signs of pregnancy must be taken into account. These doctors include:

change in taste perception, belching and nausea,
increased production of saliva, due to which the woman constantly swallows it, and the process is accompanied by a feeling of fullness in the stomach (provoked by swallowing air along with saliva),
manifestation of the vascular network on the skin due to the expansion of capillaries,
increased heart rate due to increasing load on the organ while the body is being rebuilt for bearing the fetus,
feeling of drowsiness and weakness against the background of hormonal changes accompanying the first signs of pregnancy,
pulling pains in the lower abdomen according to the menstrual type, indicating increased production of prolactin (a hormone that controls the production of milk in the glands),
headaches and fatigue.

Signs of pregnancy

Note! As the initial sign of pregnancy, vomiting may occur. The figure of a woman changes, the breast increases in volume and swells due to the increased release of prolactin. When touching the glands, pain is often fixed, but it will pass after the stabilization of the hormonal background.

Causes of heartburn at the beginning of pregnancy

Heartburn as a sign of pregnancy before a missed period is provoked by increased production of the hormone progesterone in the body. It belongs to the group of steroid substances, is produced by the ovaries and controls the process of bearing the fetus. The longer the gestation period, the greater the amount of progesterone is necessary for the natural and full development of the baby. After 16 weeks, in the second trimester, the placenta begins to produce the substance.

In addition to controlling the development of the fetus, progesterone performs another important function - it relaxes the muscle tissue of the uterus, which contracts under the influence of negative factors. So that the birth is not premature, and early miscarriage does not occur, the hormone is produced in sufficient quantities. Therefore, not only the muscles of the uterus relax, but also other organs - the intestines, gallbladder, larynx, stomach, bladder.

In a relaxed state, the digestive organs cannot fully function, which is why a woman notes problems with swallowing food, slow digestion, signs of belching and flatulence. Food, lingering in the stomach, provokes the formation of an increased volume of acidic juice so that the body can break it down faster. But against the background of changes in the hormonal background, weakened sphincters do not hold undigested food, and part of it is thrown into the esophagus and trachea.

Therefore, in many cases, women may consider heartburn as an early sign of pregnancy. Especially if the problem is accompanied by additional symptoms indicating perfect fertilization.

Symptoms

First of all, heartburn as a sign of early pregnancy, manifests itself in the form of discomfort in the chest area. If a woman complained of stomach problems before conception, then they may worsen in the first trimester of gestation. After fertilization has occurred, the body of the expectant mother undergoes maximum changes. The load on all internal organs increases, the hormonal background changes, which is why even before the delay and the appearance of visible signs of pregnancy, there is a burning sensation behind the sternum and belching.

Symptoms that occur in the early stages in addition to heartburn and accompany it:

increased discomfort immediately after eating and when lying down (undigested food enters the esophagus due to weakness of the sphincters and aggravates the symptoms),
feeling of heat in the region of the esophagus, trachea and even larynx (when belching with part of the acid content),
nausea and urge to vomit due to slow digestion of food,
sensation of heaviness in the abdomen and fullness,
the presence of a sour taste in the oral cavity.

If a woman has had gastroesophageal reflux before conception, she may not perceive heartburn as a sign of early pregnancy. At the same time, discomfort in the abdomen and pressure on the digestive tract can aggravate existing gastritis, ulcers, and cause the development of colitis and duodenitis.

Attention! When fixing symptoms, which are not only a sign of pregnancy, but also an aggravation of gastrointestinal diseases, you should consult a doctor. This will help prevent complications and take therapeutic measures in time.

What to do with heartburn?

Before the onset of a delay, if heartburn during early pregnancy appears as one of its signs, you can alleviate problematic symptoms by following a number of rules. A woman needs to start eating in small portions, 4-5 times a day, 3 of which will be main, and 2 - snacks. So you can reduce the pressure on the diaphragm and not overload the stomach, so as not to provoke signs of heartburn.

Fatty foods fried in vegetable oil should be excluded from the diet, preference should be given to steamed or simply boiled dishes. The amount of table salt should be reduced, it is also useful as a prevention of puffiness. The last meal should not be arranged before bedtime - this will aggravate heartburn and overload the intestinal tract.

To reduce the volume of gastric juice, it is recommended to give up chocolate, soda, sour berries and fruits. Fast food, sauces and canned food should also be banned. To avoid throwing hydrochloric acid from the stomach into the esophagus and trachea, it is better to sleep on a high pillow.

You can use some safe folk remedies:

brew chamomile flowers (20 g of raw materials per glass of boiling water), leave the composition for 30 minutes and drink it in small sips throughout the day,
drink potato juice squeezed from a large tuber ¼ cup twice a day,
Make tea with fennel and drink it during the day, and especially after eating - it reduces the production of gastric juice and stabilizes the level of acidity.

Heartburn medication is not recommended unless absolutely necessary unless suggested by your doctor. If discomfort is indeed a sign of pregnancy, the expectant mother should be responsible for her health and not self-medicate.

Prevention and advice

Milk can help relieve symptoms of heartburn

If heartburn is an early sign of pregnancy, the discomfort associated with it can be avoided by following these simple guidelines:

wear loose clothing that does not pinch abdominal area and does not constrict the digestive organs,
limit heavy lifting and strenuous physical activity, including sudden standing up and bending down,
fully rest and follow the 8-hour night sleep,
do not take medicines unless prescribed by the attending doctor,
take food for the last time before going to bed no later than a couple of hours,
do not lie down immediately after eating,
at night drink a glass of warmed milk, fat-free yogurt or fermented baked milk.

Tip! Also, to prevent heartburn, a pregnant woman should be more in the fresh air. This will improve intestinal motility, stabilize the work of the stomach and relieve early signs in the form of toxicosis, belching, bloating and burning in the esophagus.

Now it is clear that heartburn can indicate the onset of pregnancy, even if the period is still too short, and the delay is not yet recorded. The symptom must be accompanied by additional symptoms so that the expectant mother can confidently expect test results. Women who suffered from gastrointestinal diseases before conception should visit a doctor and build a therapy plan with him to prevent exacerbations of gastritis, ulcers, colitis and other pathologies. Indeed, during the bearing of the fetus, the load on the body doubles, which is fraught not only with heartburn, but also with other consequences.

Heartburn as a sign of pregnancy before a missed period

Some women experience heartburn as a sign of pregnancy before a missed period. What are the causes of this unpleasant symptom in pregnant women and how to get rid of it - we will consider in this article.

Contents

1 Is heartburn the first symptom of pregnancy?
- 1.1 Why does heartburn occur at the beginning of pregnancy?
- 1.2 How does heartburn manifest during pregnancy?
2 What should a woman do with heartburn?
3 What to do for heartburn?

Is heartburn the first symptom of pregnancy?

In case of heartburn, gastric juice enters the esophagus, irritating the mucous membranes. The walls of the esophagus become inflamed, causing pain and nausea. When a woman has a long pregnancy, the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the stomach, causing gastric juice to enter the esophagus.

Heartburn and early morning sickness in pregnant women are caused by high levels of progesterone. Without the participation of this hormone, it is very difficult for a woman to bear a child, so an increase in progesterone during pregnancy is considered a variant of the norm.
Most of the fair sex determine pregnancy by the absence of menstruation. But heartburn may well be the first sign of pregnancy. This is not uncommon during pregnancy.

Heartburn may well be the first sign of pregnancy.

Heartburn is considered the first sign of pregnancy, which can haunt a woman throughout the entire period of gestation.
In the first months of pregnancy, heartburn is caused by significant physical changes that occur in the body of a pregnant woman. And after the sixth month, the expectant mother suffers from heartburn because a small life is growing in her womb. The growing baby puts pressure on the woman's internal organs, which causes gastric juice to reflux into the esophagus and, accordingly, heartburn.

Why does heartburn occur at the beginning of pregnancy?

Heartburn that occurs during early pregnancy may indicate significant changes in a woman's hormonal levels. In the body of a future mother, the level of progesterone increases, and without this hormone, the fetus cannot develop properly. It is this hormone that is responsible for relaxing the uterus, preventing it from coming into tone.

Progesterone relaxes not only the uterus, but also all the internal organs of a pregnant woman. This means that the sphincter, located between the esophagus and stomach, reduces the tone. This leads to the fact that the capacity of the stomach is thrown into the esophagus, and this process causes heartburn.
A high level of progesterone also increases the acidity of the fairer sex in an interesting position.

The contents of the stomach enter the esophagus, which causes heartburn during pregnancy.

How does heartburn manifest during pregnancy?

Some women don't know anything about heartburn, so they need clarification. During pregnancy the symptoms of heartburn are as follows:

Frequent eructations with sour contents. Belching is provoked by increased acidity, which is a frequent companion of pregnancy.
Discomfort in the esophagus or behind the breastbone. This sensation is caused by irritation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus.
Feeling of fullness present in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This symptom is caused by disturbances in the process of digestion of food. Trying to get rid of the burning sensation that occurs in the esophagus, the fair sex swallows saliva along with air. This reflex also contributes to the occurrence of heaviness in the gastrointestinal tract.
Nausea. Since the movement of food in the stomach slows down, the pregnant woman has an urge to empty the stomach.
Strong salivation. The glands that produce saliva work at an accelerated pace. The body of the expectant mother tries to “wash away” the acid in the esophagus with saliva.

Since heartburn and other discomforts in a woman occur in the digestive tract, they are aggravated after eating. You may need to reconsider the woman's daily diet or reduce the size of portions. If this does not help, you should consult your doctor.

What should a woman do with heartburn?

After confirming that heartburn may be a sign of pregnancy, the expectant mother needs to be careful. Treatment for heartburn is different from therapy given before conception. Medicines that a woman receives during pregnancy will also receive her baby. Therefore, medications that help relieve signs of heartburn should be prescribed by a doctor.

To relieve unpleasant symptoms, you can do the following:

eat often, but in small portions;
do not rush while eating, chewing every bite thoroughly;
try to avoid getting air into the stomach;
exclude from the diet foods that increase the acidity of gastric juice (fried, spicy, salty, etc.).

It is not necessary to suppress the signs of heartburn with drugs. An obstetrician-gynecologist will recommend methods that are safe for the unborn baby and effective for a woman to get rid of heartburn. Perhaps it will be enough to review the diet and daily routine.

If you have heartburn, you should not immediately grab medications - first try to review your diet.

What to do with heartburn?

The first thing a pregnant woman should do is change her diet. You need to eat often, but in small portions. The last meal should be no later than two to three hours before bedtime.

Sleep preferably on a high pillow or on your side. This will prevent food and gastric juice from entering the esophagus from the stomach.
Loose clothing should be worn that does not restrict movement.

In folk medicine, there are such remedies that help relieve the symptoms of heartburn:

fennel tea to normalize acidity;
freshly squeezed potato juice.

If the recommendations listed above do not give a positive result, then the obstetrician-gynecologist will select a safe drug from antacids, with which it will be possible to relieve unpleasant symptoms. The main task of antacids is to neutralize hydrochloric acid in the stomach.