Pregnancy and Heartburn

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a healthcare professional if Mylanta is right for you. For many women, pregnancy brings their first experience with acid indigestion and heartburn symptoms.

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While they usually stop after the baby is born, heartburn symptoms can persist throughout pregnancy, often getting worse as the baby gets bigger. In fact, toward the end of pregnancy, nearly 50% of pregnant women report heartburn symptoms.

The causes of heartburn symptoms during pregnancy stem from both hormonal and physical changes.

Hormonal Changes That Cause Heartburn

One cause of acid indigestion symptoms during pregnancy results from the placenta’s enhanced production of the hormone progesterone. The increase in progesterone levels works to relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When the LES relaxes, stomach acid enters the esophagus and may cause the symptoms of heartburn.

Physical Changes That Cause Heartburn

Pregnancy also brings physical changes, especially later in pregnancy. That’s when a pregnant woman’s growing baby gets big enough to crowd the abdominal cavity. This crowding may push stomach acid back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn and acid indigestion symptoms.

Heartburn Relief during Pregnancy

Each of the recommended heartburn prevention tips can be especially helpful for heartburn during pregnancy. And, if you feel your heartburn symptoms require treatment, ask your doctor about antacids such as Mylanta liquid antacid.