Till recently, heartburn medication was considered to be safe during pregnancy, as it didn’t seem to affect the baby’s development. However, according to this report, based on the study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, there seems to be a potential risk of asthma to the baby.
According to Dr Anita Kant, Director & HOD, Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, India, “Several large-scale review studies have supported the claim that taking heartburn medication like H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors during pregnancy is linked to childhood asthma. Evaluation of about 1.3 million children with asthma revealed that a majority of those were born to mothers who were prescribed medications to treat acid reflux during their pregnancy.”
Researchers are yet to decode the precise correlation between the conditions and further studies in this regard have remained inconclusive. “However, doctors are concerned and tread with caution while prescribing such drugs to pregnant women. The research is still at an early stage and women are advised to duly consult their physicians in such cases,” adds Dr Kant.
Continue reading for tips to tackle heartburn the natural way during pregnancy.
Heartburn is caused by stomach acid flowing back into the oesophagus and is quite a common condition during pregnancy. All the more reason for a pregnant mum to wonder what now, if she can’t take heartburn medication. According to Dr Kant, here are some natural remedies, which if followed regularly can relieve the symptoms of acid reflux in pregnant women:
Lime-n-honey: Squeeze 1-2 fresh lemons in about 250 ml of water and take it every morning. You can also add honey to this.
Ginger: Grate 1-2 small pieces of ginger in boiling water and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Sip while hot.
Coconut water: Apart from being a nutritious drink, this also has stomach-soothing properties.
Fennel seeds: Crushed fennel seeds in lemon water helps relieve heartburn.
Peppermint: This can be used in the paste form or can be mixed in water.
Yogurt and non-fat milk: These too have soothing properties that can relieve heartburn.
Most importantly, have a balanced diet at regular intervals. Have meals in small portions and avoid lying down immediately after having food. Taking a walk for 10-15 minutes after each meal helps. Drink plenty of water, avoid spicy, fried food and you should be able to tackle the menace without heartburn medication. Of course, it always helps having a word with your physician and figuring out what works the best for you.