During pregnancy, there are so many changes Taking place in your body.
You’ll feel all kinds of things you’ve never felt before – some good and some bad.
When you’re trying to conceive, you’ll probably analyse everything you feel every month.
It can be difficult to tell whether symptoms you have are pregnancy symptoms or not.
Some symptoms are more obvious than others.
In this article, we’re focusing on heartburn as a pregnancy symptom.
Is heartburn a sign of pregnancy?
Very early signs of pregnancy 1 week
Among the early signs of pregnancy, some are more well known than others.
Some of the more common pregnancy symptoms are:
- Missed period
- Twinges or light cramps in your lower belly
- Nausea or morning sickness
- Tender breasts
- Painful nipples
- Bloating in your tummy
- Extreme tiredness
- Heightened sense of smell.
You can read more about these early pregnancy symptoms in Pregnancy Symptoms – 16 Early Signs You Might Be Pregnant.
Some women take a few weeks to notice these symptoms, especially if their menstrual cycle is irregular.
Other women will notice them right away.
This is more likely if they:
- Have been pregnant before
- Are in tune with changes in their body
- Practise natural family planning
- Track symptoms or feelings of ovulation
These women are more likely to notice symptoms, or changes in their body.
But what if you’re not one of these women, or if you have more unusual symptoms?
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What are some unusual signs of early pregnancy?
Some of the symptoms of pregnancy that people are less familiar with are:
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Acid reflux
- Diarrhea.
Something that’s often overlooked, or not well known, is the way pregnancy hormones can play havoc with your digestive system.
The reason for this is the hormone progesterone.
Progesterone starts to rise after a woman ovulates.
If she doesn’t get pregnant, it drops rapidly around 10 days after ovulation.
If she does get pregnant, it continues to rise.
This is because progesterone’s job is to support a pregnancy.
Progesterone is responsible for many of the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome a woman experiences.
It’s also responsible for many pregnancy symptoms.
That’s why it can be difficult to figure out whether you’re pregnant or about to start your period.
Is heartburn a sign of pregnancy?
Because of the rise in progesterone, the entire digestive system slows down.
As a result of this, many women experience constipation during early pregnancy.
It can also cause other symptoms such as:
- Heartburn
- Gas
- Bloating.
So yes, heartburn is often experienced by women in early pregnancy!
However, it can be overlooked because it’s not as commonly known as other symptoms.
How early does heartburn in pregnancy start?
Heartburn is mostly caused by the hormone progesterone, which rises after ovulation.
If a pregnancy occurs, progesterone levels keep rising. This means heartburn can start very early.
Progesterone slows down the digestive system, which can cause various symptoms in the body, including heartburn.
Heartburn can start as soon as the baby is conceived.
It could last only a short time, or it could last for the whole pregnancy.
Progesterone levels are higher throughout pregnancy.
As fertility expert Dr. Andrew Orr explains, these progesterone levels are typical during pregnancy:
- First trimester: 11.2 – 90 ng/mL
- Second trimester: 25.6 – 89.4 ng/mL
- Third trimester: 48.4 – 42.5 ng/mL.
Progesterone tends to peak in the first or second trimester and levels are lower in the third trimester.
However, you might still experience heartburn later in pregnancy.
During the third trimester, it’s more likely to be due to your baby taking up more room and leaving less room for your digestive system.
The hormone relaxin also contributes to heartburn later in pregnancy.
Relaxin relaxes muscles, including the sphincters in your digestive system that usually keep food and stomach acid from travelling up your esophagus.
What does heartburn in pregnancy feel like?
Pregnancy heartburn tends to feel the same as heartburn not related to pregnancy.
The signs of heartburn are:
- Burning feeling in the chest
- Burning in the throat
- Acidic taste in mouth or acidic throw up in mouth.
Many people experience heartburn occasionally.
Heartburn is less likely to be a problem for those who eat a healthy diet..
This includes heartburn during pregnancy.
Is hiccups and heartburn a sign of pregnancy?
Heartburn can be problematic during pregnancy.
It can be painful whenever it’s experienced, but it can be more difficult to treat during pregnancy.
This is because the progesterone that works to support the pregnancy is one of the main causes.
The progesterone can’t be reduced, so the pregnant woman must find another way to reduce her heartburn.
Hiccups can be another symptom of a slower digestive system.
It increases the problem of heartburn because the hiccups can push stomach acid up the esophagus and into the mouth.
This isn’t necessarily dangerous, but it can be very unpleasant.
How can heartburn in pregnancy be relieved?
Although heartburn can last for the entire pregnancy, there are some things you can do to relieve the feelings.
Some suggestions are:
- Eat a high fiber diet
- Don’t eat late at night
- Don’t eat and then lie down
- Sleep propped up, not completely horizontal
- Eat a diet low in acidic and fatty foods.
It’s best to try to treat heartburn during pregnancy naturally.
Although it’s unpleasant, heartburn isn’t usually serious enough to take stronger measures.
Is heartburn a sign of pregnancy with twins?
Being pregnant with twins can cause stronger pregnancy symptoms.
Every woman is different, though, and every pregnancy is different.
Being pregnant with twins doesn’t always lead to different or stronger symptoms than a singleton pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant and feeling heartburn, you can’t assume you’re pregnant with twins.
Is heartburn a sign of pregnancy?
Although heartburn can be a sign of pregnancy, it can also be a sign of other conditions.
If a woman experiences heartburn, she shouldn’t assume she’s pregnant.
Waiting for a missed period and a positive pregnancy test are the most reliable ways to confirm a pregnancy.
Other conditions that can cause heartburn are:
- Gallstones
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- An unhealthy diet
- Eating an acidic or fatty meal
- Some types of cancer
- Stomach ulcer.
Feeling strong heartburn can feel similar to the signs of a heart attack.
Even a gallbladder attack can involve severe complications or be fatal.
For these reasons, it’s important not to ignore heartburn.
Mild or infrequent heartburn might be something you can cope with.
If it interferes with your quality of life or is extremely painful, you should speak with your healthcare provider.
In extreme cases, you might need to visit your nearest hospital emergency department.
Is frequent heartburn a sign of pregnancy?
Heartburn can be a sign of various conditions.
It can be a symptom of pregnancy.
If it’s bothering you, it’s best to talk to your doctor or midwife.
It’s likely you’ll feel some heartburn at some point during pregnancy.
The best way to deal with it is to eat a healthy diet.
This way you’ll not only keep heartburn to a minimum but you’ll keep yourself and your baby as healthy as possible.
