See also Lately I've felt a terrible burning sensation after eating. Heartburn is a burning sensation that often extends from the lower throat to the bottom of the breastbone. It is caused by both hormonal and physical changes in your body. During pregnancy, the placenta produces the hormone progesterone , which relaxes the smooth muscles of the uterus. This hormone also relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach, allowing gastric acids to seep back up the pipe, which causes that uncomfortable sensation of heartburn.
Progesterone also slows down the wavelike contractions of the stomach, making digestion sluggish.
In later pregnancy, the growing fetus crowds the abdominal cavity, slowing elimination and pushing up the stomach acids to cause heartburn. Many women start getting heartburn and indigestion in the second half of their pregnancy. Add your comments to the bottom of this page. Avoid rich or spicy dishes, chocolate, citrus, and coffee. And stay away from alcohol, which you should be avoiding anyway.