So you've never had heartburn during your pregnancy...lucky you!!

But if you're one of the rest of us, here's a tip we had to share!!

We thought a 1/2 gallon of Dryer's Mint Chip Ice Cream (Low Fat of course!)  and a big spaghetti dinner would make us feel better... but boy were we wrong!!!

Heartburn, while painful to you, will not hurt your baby.  You must, however, take care to eat the right foods to cut down on the occurrences of heartburn.  We know that during pregnancy, our digestive tract moves more slowly and we are definitely more prone to bloating.

Well, heartburn is when food from your stomach backs up into your throat.  It is the acid from your stomach which causes the burning, and you feel like it's coming from your heart.  But don't worry, it's not!

Heartburn can worsen as pregnancy advances (don't we know this!!)  because of the enlarging uterus.  Some simple ways to avoid or alleviate this problem:

1.  Don't rush through your meals, eat slowly.
2.  Avoid hot, spicy foods, or any foods that you notice that give you problems.
3.  Keep your head and upper body elevated while sleeping.
4. Avoid eating while lying down.
5. Avoid acidic foods.

And here's our secret, "Hot Tamales" - don't ask us why they work... but when we cut out the Mint Chip Ice Cream and acidic foods (read: spaghetti and meatballs) and munched on Hot Tamales, we were cured!!!
And one of our "Big Belly" readers confirms this scientifically:  "Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice is a known natural remedy for heartburn because it increases the mucus lining of the esophagus!!"

Found at a local market near you!!!

And a Big Belly reader also swears by papaya/pineapple enzymes... she got her scoop actually during her first pregnancy from her midwife and swears they really work, immediately!  Available at Trader Joe's or your local vitamin store, cheap (under $5), and you only need a few at a time.

We hope you feel better too!!