This is a common disease that is characterized by the stomach acid flowing backward in to the esophagus repeatedly. This will cause burning chest pain and it can also damage the esophagus, which can lead to bleeding and scarring. It will also make it harder for you to swallow and if GERD is left untreated, it can lead to more serious medical problems, such as cancer of the esophagus and even stomach cancer. Now, you need to keep in mind that although this condition is painful and extremely uncomfortable to experience, it is a condition that will not harm the baby inside your tummy. But, it is still uncomfortable and you want to control or manage it or at least decrease its frequency. Here are ways on how you can prevent or at least manage heartburn during pregnancy. The first is when the lower esophageal sphincter or LES is weakened or relaxed and doesn t do its job properly. The LES is what keeps the stomach acid in the stomach. Basically, this is the most common symptom for GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Sugars, fatty foods, peppermint, coffee, chocolate, and alcohol can weaken or relax the LES, which can let stomach acid reflux to the esophagus, causing heartburn. Eating large meals shortly before bedtime can also cause heartburn. When you eat large meals, the production of stomach acid increases and when you lie down immediately after eating a large meal to go to bed, your body is in the perfect position for the stomach acid to reflux or come in contact with the esophagus. Because of this, the stomach produces more acid in order to digest these types of foods properly, which is primarily what you don t want to happen as it will increase the likelihood of experiencing heartburn. So, lifestyle modification is needed in order for you to prevent heartburn or at least lessen its frequency. In fact, millions of people all over the world suffer from this kind of condition and it is also a condition that existed for centuries or most probably since man first walked the earth. First of all, you need to remember that heartburn is in no way related to the heart. As a matter of fact, heartburn is a digestive condition where stomach acid comes in contact with the esophagus.