Few things are more uncomfortable and dreaded in pregnancy than heartburn! I made this video when pregnant with our second, and these tips held true for me a year later through our third pregnancy.

Keep in mind that with heartburn, the motto “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is very true. Focusing primarily on the positive things you can do to prevent heartburn is better than trying to address it when you’re already miserable.

While my midwives were aware of my health history and were comfortable with me using these tools, please make sure to check with your pregnancy healthcare provider before making any dietary changes or adding supplements to your routine. Watch this 4-minute video and then read my summary below!

1)   Take Raw Apple Cider Vinegar on a daily basis. Use it in a salad dressing or drink it diluted in a glass of water. Kombucha or Water Kefir can also be helpful. Any raw, cultured foods can also make a huge difference as they add enzymes and good bacteria (probiotics), as well as other miscellaneous nutrients that support digestion.

2)    Digestive Enzymes. Chewables work well for some, but others benefit from more concentrated broad spectrum enzymes.

3)    Probiotics. Since the purpose in this context is not for gut rebuilding but to assist in keeping the stomach calm, make sure they are in a form that is accessible directly to the stomach and not prevented from this by enteric coating. If using Tummy Tuneup (or a similar enteric coated probiotic), be sure to put the powder directly in the mouth so it benefits the stomach.

4)    Activated Charcoal. This is not to be used as a preventative, but is useful as a tool to quickly quell a problem that may flare up despite preventative measures. This should NOT be taken on a daily basis for very long, as it will not only bind with the excess acid causing the heartburn but can also bind with minerals and other nutrients that you’d much rather stayed in your body.

With these tips, your chances of experiencing a heartburn-free pregnancy just went up!