7 Natural Ways to Relieve Heartburn During Pregnancy

Looking for natural heartburn relief during pregnancy? Check out these 7 safe remedies that can help relieve that burning, gnawing pain!

Pregnancy and heartburn seem to go hand in hand. Of course, the first time you experience that burning pain just has to be at a time when you have to be super careful what you take to cure it. On the plus side, there are plenty of ways to get natural heartburn relief during pregnancy! We’re going to talk about a few of the most tried-and-true remedies, so hopefully you can get rid of that gnawing pain in your chest asap!

Related: Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

Natural Heartburn Relief During Pregnancy

If you’re pregnant and have told anyone you have heartburn, you’ve heard the old wives tale that your baby will have a head full of hair. Not the most useful comment when you’re chest is on fire due to the joys of pregnancy. A lot of moms-to-be don’t want to take medication while pregnant if they can avoid it, so give these tips a try. Of course, this is not medical advice; if you are in pain and these natural remedies don’t work for you, please consult with your doctor.

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  1. Fermented foods. You’ve probably heard about the benefits of probiotics – they help your body properly digest your food, and that may help reduce heartburn. Kefir, yogurt, pickles, kimchi (if you can stomach the smell), and other fermented foods have natural probiotics to aid in digestion. While kombucha is currently trendy, it may not be safe to drink while pregnant.
  2. Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has all kinds of incredible uses, from treating headaches to cleaning your home. It also may decrease your heartburn. Since heartburn is a result of too little acid in your stomach to properly break down the food, give your belly a boost. Use apple cider vinegar to make a quick salad dressing for a healthy lunch, or just bottoms up with 1 tablespoon is a glass of water.
  3. Ginger root. Ginger helps decrease nausea, and it also helps decrease heartburn. Fresh ginger root is best, but it is potent. Add some to hot tea and let it steep before drinking.
  4. Folic acid. Your prenatal vitamin has folic acid, but you can add folate-rich foods to your diet to fight off heartburn. Asparagus, beans, spinach, and other dark leafy greens are rich in folate. Try a spinach salad with apple cider vinegar and olive oil dressing for an extra heartburn-fighting punch!
  5. Apples and bananas. Both apples and ripe (ideally overripe) bananas are alkaline foods which will help to neutralize the acid in your stomach and keep it from rising into your esophagus. They also both have relatively mild flavors if you’re having trouble with morning sickness or just can’t quite get on board with “fermented foods.”
  6. Fennel and fennel seeds. Fennel is another alkaline food, and it helps with all kinds of digestive upsets. Add some fresh fennel to your spinach and apple cider vinegar salad, or sprinkle some fennel seeds on other dishes to add some crunch.
  7. Coconut water. There are lots of benefits to coconut water, with its high levels of potassium and electrolytes. There is some question as to whether or not it makes a significant difference, but give it a try – it can’t hurt! If nothing else, you’ll be hydrated.

It’s also a good idea to start a food diary and try to isolate foods that may be contributing to your heartburn. Common culprits include citrus fruit & juices, onions, chocolate, tomatoes, caffeine (which you shouldn’t have more than 12 oz. of while pregnant), and high-fat foods. Make sure you’re not overdoing it at mealtime. Five or six small meals a day rather than eating large meals will aid in keeping heartburn at bay.

Hopefully one or more of these natural remedies will give you some relief. Are there any other ways that you have gotten natural heartburn relief during pregnancy that we missed? Let us know in the comments!

10 thoughts on “7 Natural Ways to Relieve Heartburn During Pregnancy”

  1. Rachael Simmons Yerkes

    Definitely sharing this post with my little sis! Heartburn during pregnancy is killer!! She basically lives on ginger hahaha

  2. Heather Swarthout

    I definitely had a little bit of heartburn during both of my pregnancies, and I noticed that if I kept myself hydrated and made sure I was eating healthy fruits it would go away. Plus, ginger helped out a lot!

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