Heartburn is a common pregnancy complaint By Jonathan D. Baum, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. You've heard the old wive's tales. "Heartburn means you're having a boy." "Heartburn is a sign that the baby will have a lot of hair." Unfortunately, heartburn has nothing to do with fetal gender or hair growth. It's a simple issue of too much acid, too much time, and not enough space. Here's why ... Heartburn, or reflux of acid from the stomach into the esophagus, is perhaps the most common complaint in pregnancy. Ask almost any pregnant woman and she'll tell you it's the burning, bitter, sour taste in the back of your throat feeling that won't go away. The medical term is gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. More commonly, it's just called heartburn. Digestion slows down during pregnancy. The stomach stays full longer. No one really knows why but perhaps it ensures proper absorption of nutrients. Anyway, as pregnancy progresses, the growing uterus takes up more space in the abdomen. In order to keep food and acid in the stomach, the lower part of the esophagus contracts to minimize reflux and prevent heartburn. Once digestion in the stomach is complete, a coordinated contraction, called motility, helps empty the contents into the intestine. In pregnancy, not only does stomach motility decrease, it has less space, and the lower esophagus relaxes as well. This sets the stage for heartburn. Frequent, small meals, sleeping in a more upright position, taking antacids, and avoiding eating or drinking before reclining are all effective ways for pregnant women to manage the frequent and annoying symptoms of reflux. Many patients get relief from Tums, Rolaids or Maalox. These are best taken before eating, otherwise their antacid effect is diluted by food and drink. Other patients require acid blockers such as Pepcid AC or Zantac OTC. These over-the-counter medications are very effective in decreasing acid production but don't really take full effect for several hours, so plan ahead. While these medications are safe in pregnancy, they should only be used when other methods have failed. Start with smaller meals and more frequent snacks, try sleeping with a few pillows, and avoiding late-night eating. For the occasional or mild episode of heartburn, try antacids and reserve the acid blockers for worse and more frequent symptoms. Severe, persistent heartburn may represent a more serious issue such as peptic ulcer disease or hiatal hernia and may require further investigation. Heartburn that persists after pregnancy should also be evaluated thoroughly. Please note that although you may find this article informative, it should not be used as a substitute for a visit and consultation with your personal physician. Jonathan Baum, M.D., is a physician at Colts Neck OB/GYN. The group has immediate appointment availability in both the Freehold and Colts Neck locations. You may contact the offices at (732) 431-1616 or visit twww.coltsneckobgyn.com.