Pregnancy Heartburn and Its Myths: Is It Linked to the Baby’s Hair?

Pregnant women often experience nausea, one of the most common pregnancy symptoms. Though unpleasant, it is considered among the surest signs of pregnancy unless it becomes severe. Many women try different methods and remedies to ease nausea and heartburn during pregnancy.

Despite the discomfort, there are popular beliefs linking heartburn to the baby’s hair type and growth. To clarify this, Nadormagazine spoke with Dr. Amal Abdullah, a consultant in obstetrics and gynecology, about the truth behind the relationship between fetal hair and heartburn, the myths around it, and some helpful tips for reducing heartburn, especially toward the end of pregnancy.

Why do pregnant women experience heartburn, especially in the later months?

Heartburn is not exclusive to pregnancy—it can affect anyone. It can appear during the first trimester, ease later, and then return more severely near delivery. It is described as a burning sensation in the upper abdomen caused mainly by hormonal changes, particularly progesterone and relaxin. These hormones relax the muscle between the esophagus and stomach, allowing food and stomach acids to move upward, causing reflux and the burning feeling.

As pregnancy progresses and the uterus grows larger, it presses on the stomach and pushes it upward, increasing reflux. In the third trimester, women often feel full quickly, lose appetite, and experience bloating and gas, all of which can impact both the mother’s nutrition and the baby’s weight gain. Added to this are fatigue, bad taste from acid reflux, constant belching, and nausea due to pressure from the growing baby.

The link between baby’s hair and pregnancy heartburn

Heartburn in late pregnancy is mainly due to increased progesterone, which relaxes the esophageal muscles, leading to acid reflux. Interestingly, progesterone also plays a role in fetal hair growth.

This explains why some women with higher progesterone levels give birth to babies with thicker hair, while others have babies with little or no hair. However, heartburn itself is not caused by the baby’s hair, but rather both conditions (heartburn and hair growth) share the same hormonal origin.

A 2006 study suggested a correlation between severe heartburn and babies with thicker hair, but this is not a cause-and-effect relationship—simply a shared link to progesterone levels. It is important to remember that the fetus develops in the amniotic sac, separate from the mother’s digestive system. The growing baby’s size, however, increases pressure on the stomach, worsening reflux as delivery approaches.

Tips to reduce heartburn in late pregnancy

• Eat small, frequent meals: Divide the three main meals into six smaller meals to avoid overfilling the stomach and reduce reflux.

• Chew slowly and thoroughly: This prevents swallowing excess air, which can worsen heartburn.

• Use sugar-free gum: Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which helps neutralize acid.

• Avoid spicy, heavily seasoned, fatty foods, caffeine, and carbonated drinks.

• Don’t lie down right after eating: Instead, sleep on a slightly elevated pillow to reduce reflux.

• Drink herbal teas in moderation: Fresh mint and chamomile tea can soothe the stomach, but excessive chamomile may worsen nausea.

• Limit citrus fruits: Such as oranges, lemon, and grapefruit, but eat bananas, which help neutralize acidity.

• Wear loose clothing: Tight clothes, especially in late pregnancy, can push acid upward and worsen symptoms.