Mar 13 2014

Coping with acid reflux in pregnancy (with a little help from my friends!)

Posted on March 13, 2014 by admin

I’m set to have every single ugly symptom you can think of with this baby. I’ve had continual morning sickness, leaky nipples and infection after infection. But by far, the most unattractive is acid reflux.

Image Source: HeartburnHomeCare

Acid Reflux (or GERD - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) takes on many guises during pregnancy. The symptoms can come about at any point during pregnancy and range in severity from woman to woman. Without getting too technical, the muscles which normally holds the top of the stomach closed (the lower esophageal sphincter, don’t you know?) move a little slower, and a little less effectively. This allows stomach acid to creep up from the stomach into the esophagus. Additionally, as the uterus grows, it pushes on the stomach and sometimes forces stomach acid back up to where it’s not wanted.

The most common result of all this wayward acid is heartburn. This can be quite scary when you’re frantically tuning into every little sign your body gives to reassure you that all is well in there. Equally frightening, and perhaps more horrid, is a nasty taste in the back of your throat and a ball of acid that just won’t quit threatening to come back out. This is what I’ve been experiencing for the last few weeks. It’s so painful and disconcerting I’ve resorted to making myself physically sick to get rid of it every night before I sleep.

Clearly this isn’t a good move. Although I’m clearing the acid in my throat, I’m also purging my stomach of all the food and nutrients I’ve consumed that evening. It’s also forcing even more acid back up and making my body have to work harder to get rid of it. All this because I stupidly put off consulting my midwife. Silly really, they’re well used to dishing out advice on how to deal with acid reflux in pregnancy.

Here’s some advice from my readers (and my midwife) on how to cope with it:

Gaviscon

Of course, check with your midwife before downing the stuff - but this is considered safe for us Pregnabums. In fact, your midwife can instruct your GP to write-up a prescription for you (meaning you get it free with your maternity exemption certificate). I’m not going to call Gaviscon a miracle worker because it simply isn’t, but it can help take the edge off.

Sleeping with your head elevated

A simple solution this one. Yep, as if you aren’t drowning in enough pillows at the moment with one wedged in your back, one in between your knees, a maternity pillow curled around your bump (… we’ve had to upgrade to a super king size bed here so Craig can fit in beside me!) you can also get specialist reflux wedges too. These allow gravity to help the body stabilise which is *said* to keep rising stomach acid down where nature intended. You can bag one of these from Amazon if you fancy it.

There’s definitely something to said about this as the midwives in my antenatal ward continually fiddled with my bed to keep me upright during all of my stays in hospital (don’t ask - I’ve been hospitalised three times already with this baby). I can also credit Kate (Family Fever), Jade (Late for Reality) and my pal Wendy (owner of Little Buttons Boutique) for this tip.

Milk and natural yoghurt (avoiding acidic foods)

This is a bit obvious really. The less acidic food that goes in, the less that can play havoc with your digestive system. Given the whole saga is made ten times worse when you lay down, this is particularly important before bedtime. In fact, eating little and often and avoiding food all together for 2 hours before bed really does help. Carbonated drinks are also a no no.

Peppermint cordial / tea

This was a new one on me but dozens of you swear by it. It’s true, peppermint does have properties that can relax the muscles in the digestive tract and allow food to pass through more easily - but there’s also tons of research that suggests it’s not suitable for treating heartburn due to this very same muscle-relaxing effect. It’s worth a try though according to these girlies.

Refreshers!

Yep. A stranger one here (thanks Victora from Walking Talking Polly Pocket) - particularly given they’re probably crammed with sugary acid in the centre! I’ve been giving these a whirl (purely in the interests of science you understand) and among other things they are guaranteed to transport you right back to your playground days! They’re also a right bugger to find as newsagents tend to favour Cadburys and Haribo rather than the retro sweeties we indulged in when we were younger.

I can’t honestly say I’ve noticed an improvement but I’m not knocking it - turns out I quite like them so they’re in ready supply here from now on.

Medication

When all else fails, book in to see your GP. He will suggest you try some of the above before prescribing anything so all these weird and wonderful concoctions and remedies shouldn’t be overlooked. There are a number of prescription medicines available (and considered safe to use in pregnancy) though so if you need it, go. Don’t be a prat like me and make the situation ten times worse.

And that’s how I solved my acid reflux problem (with a little help from my friends). If you have anymore tips, please do go ahead and leave them in the comments. And, if you’re suffering, good luck x

Feb 26 2014

32 Weeks Pregnant!

Posted on February 26, 2014 by admin

… And it’s taking forever! Given I’ve had a severe case of insomnia over the last few weeks, the days seem to be taking twice as long. I’m not sure why I can’t sleep but I can guess at anxiety - I know I’ve been over-the-top upset about name choices. Stupid I know. I can just see us repeating the same mistake we made with Dexter and bickering at the registry office! It’s so much responsibility picking a name for someone to live with for the rest of their lives; something cool, something unique. something that can be shortened. something that sounds great on a CV, something an Olympian might be called…

Then there’s the usual niggling feeling that something might be wrong with her. Of course we’ll love her whatever the future holds, but every mother wants a healthy baby. I get incredibly panicky about all the times I’ve forgotten to take a vitamin tablet, or had a half a lager with my dinner. Then there’s the times I haven’t eaten my broccoli as I’d run out of gravy… it’s all very ridiculous.

117 32 Weeks Pregnant!

Of course One Born Every Minute also started again this week and I defy any pregnant woman not to watch it. Although I tell myself it’s all good research, it does scare me to death. One of this week’s couples (Michelle and Micheal) had me inches from the television screen sobbing as he missed his daughter’s birth. As Craig plans on working until the last-minute and is often 100 miles from home, it’s got me worrying that I won’t have a familiar face in the room either. Given he’s also teasing me about going to his school reunion the week I’m due, I have this fear he’ll be staggering through the hospital stinking of beer and insulting all the midwives! If it’s going to happen to anyone, it’ll happen to us.

Physically, my sciatica has been a little better this week, but I’m still on the loo every 5 minutes. My boobs have also ramped up their milk-making endeavours with the occasional leak (I told you pregnancy was ugly). My stretch marks are also getting more and more pronounced and I’ve grown a double chin overnight. I wouldn’t mind any of these transformations, but walking around The Baby Show this week and seeing so many beautiful women who have kept up the spray tans, freshly-styled hair and full face of slap, I’m feeling like the frumpiest mum-to-be in the world. I’ve made a mental note to at least waddle to the beautician for a wax before the big day. Let’s face it, what we don’t see on One Born Every Minute is the midwives giggling about the lady gardens they’ve encountered that day in the staff room!

Apparently, baby is around 4lbs and 18 inches at this point, and it’s still slightly too early to rush down to Holland and Barrett for raspberry tea. She’s cramming in all the study time she can to perfect those survival skills she’ll need to thrive outside the womb — from swallowing and breathing to kicking and sucking. She also looks less opaque now and her skin colour is beginning to look more like her mum and dads (and less like Casper) - great stuff.

Just hurry Mini Madam. Mummy has had enough. I’d much rather be up at 3am nursing you, than watching television for the hard of hearing. Oh and if you can pick a side and stick to it at night it would be really helpful.

Feb 2 2014

Introducing the Snoozle Maternity Slide Sheet!

Posted on February 2, 2014 by admin

As I’ve thudded into the third trimester, I’ve all but given up on a proper night’s sleep. I’m now on my third brand of maternity pillow (finally settling on the Theraline - review HERE) and am up around fives times a night to empty my bladder. We’ve also now upgraded our double bed to a super king - this wasn’t even up for discussion, I just went ahead and ordered it at 4am after a particularly bad night a few weeks back. Craig’s face was an absolute picture when he came home and discovered I’d taken a sledgehammer to the bedside cabinets and bought smaller ones in their place. I simply couldn’t cope with another elbow in my face and now need at least the width of a double bed to myself to toss and turn in my sleep.

When I spotted that Snoozle were looking for pregnant women to road test their maternity slide sheet, I thought I’d give it a go. The website is full of claims it’s helped women with painful night-time maneuvers. It’s said to help with a zillion different pregnancy ailments including SPD and Sciatica (two things I’ve regularly whinged about during both of my pregnancies), and also non-pregnancy related arthritic pain or easing the discomfort of those recovering from back surgery.

So what is it?

It’s a 75×75″ ‘tube’ made from kind-to-skin cotton on the outer layer, and a satin inner fabric that is designed to slide comfortably with your every move. It’s incredibly simple, but often these are the very products that work the best. It’s a concept that’s worked a treat for Icelandic midwives for years and has now been recreated by Snoozle for all to benefit from.

The theory is that it makes your movements smoother and faster so you don’t need to put in as much effort when you toss and turn. This means you won’t use as many sore muscles and move as many painful joints. It’s ideal if you’re bed-sharing as it only goes on your side of the bed and is designed to be completely noiseless so as not to disturb your other half. Reportedly, it also makes rolling out of bed in the mornings that little bit easier.

086 Introducing the Snoozle Maternity Slide Sheet!

It’s highly recommended during child birth when you’re struggling to change position (don’t worry, it’s washable at up to 60 °c), and equally useful if you’ve had a c-section and are struggling to sit up in bed to breastfeed.

So what did I think?

First up - I love the simple packaging. It came in a really pretty box which is handy to tuck away in your hospital bag if you’ve bought two.

I was sent a pink Snoozle (but it is also available in blue or grey) - the design is as simple as I’ve suggested above but I’m really impressed with the quality. The logo is embroidered so it doesn’t irritate you when in contact with your skin, and the outer layer (that you sleep on) is soft to touch.

snoozle bed Introducing the Snoozle Maternity Slide Sheet!

You simply pop the sheet on the bed (on top of your regular bed sheet) with the satin trims beneath your shoulder and thighs. It’s very generously proportioned so you have plenty of room either side.

There’s no denying my movements were MUCH faster and smoother with the Snoozle. I’m also making far less noise when I toss and turn. I used to moan and whimper a bit as it was so painful. It’s also completely noiseless and hasn’t disturbed Craigy in the slightest. Having used it for the past 5 nights, I’m happy to report I feel much more rested in the mornings and my symptoms are better throughout the day as a result. If I have a bad day and Mini Madam pushes down on my sciatic nerve one too many times, I simply have a nap on my Snoozle and gain a few hours respite.

My only niggle (not a criticism of the product at all as this is completely unavoidable) is that after several turns from side to side, the Snoozle inevitably gets twisted underneath you. This shouldn’t wake you up at night, but does mean you’ll constantly have to straighten it out when you get back from every one of your many trips to the loo!

060 Introducing the Snoozle Maternity Slide Sheet!

But that’s it! I can’t think of anything that would prevent me recommending the Snoozle maternity slide sheet to anyone who is struggling with sleep in pregnancy. It’s had a huge impact for many mums-to-be and is only a tiny £24.00. In fact, so convinced is Snoozle’s founder Lilja that it’ll help you, she offers a full money-back guarantee if it doesn’t!

DISCLAIMER: I was provided with a Snoozle for the purposes of his review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Linking to Tried & Tested by the lovely Kate at Family Fever and Colette at We’re going on an adventure.