There are a lot of pregnancy symptoms that you hear about and just assume you may need to endure.
For example, that infamous first-trimester nausea and fatigue.
I felt prepared for themwhich I think made them a little easier to accept.
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The symptom I felt completely unprepared for?
Unrelentingacid refluxfrom every single thing I eat and drinkyes, even water.
I started feeling this at the beginning of the second trimester, around week 13 or 14.
I did some research and quickly realized: This was acid reflux.
But no one really talks about it.
Yes, its possible to manage acid reflux, even when its turned up to the max during pregnancy.
You dont have to just swallow your pride (and stomach acid).
Its really commonand can happen at any point during pregnancy.
This causes the muscles in the digestive tract to loosen, slowing digestion and increasing bloating and heartburn.
It also affects the esophagus.
The foods you crave are probably the biggest culprits.
Some foods and drinks just straight up make acid reflux worse.
It can be complicated because it becomes a cycle.
Also, it turns out its not my imagination that even water gives me acid reflux.
Dr. Paik says that anything that fills up your stomacheven watercan get the acid moving up and out.
These modifications have helped me immenselyespecially because acid reflux was keeping me up at night.
…and so can sleeping upright.
That seemed to really help reduce my acid reflux.
(I still do it on an as-needed basis on nights when it strikes hard.)
Dr. Paik says that especially if you’ve eaten later in the evening, this might help.
In general in pregnancy, you want to sleep in a way thats most comfortable, she says.
You may want to consider medication.
Dr. Paik recommends starting with Tums or other antacid tablets made with calcium carbonate.
(Quick note: If youre taking iron supplements, avoid taking antacids at the same time.
They can interfere with iron absorption, Dr. Paik says.
Take them separately at different times of the day so they can both do their jobs.
You should generally run through your list of meds with your doctor before you dive in taking antacids.)
But the truth is, lots of pregnant people say that Tums just dont cut it.
Antacid tablets didnt work for me.
So I eventually asked my doctor if there was anything else I could take.
If none of these remedies help, let your doctor know.
Welcome to the club, youre in good company.