heartburn while pregnantI had heard the word heartburn a million times, but I never really knew what it was until I was pregnant. I had heartburn, usually at night in bed, during the last month or so of my pregnancy and I hated it.

Digestive disorders are pretty common during pregnancy: 45 to 80 percent of women say they experience heartburn, discomfort, regurgitation, belching and bloating. Unfortunately, these symptoms usually get worse as your pregnancy goes on.

However, there are several basic things you can do for relief: don't eat large meals; skip spicy foods; don't chew gum; don't smoke; don't eat near bedtime; wear comfortable clothing; and sleep propped up on pillows or blankets.

And now, new research suggests that acupuncture can help relieve indigestion during pregnancy. A study published in Acupuncture in Medicine found that average heartburn intensity fell by at least a half in 75% of the pregnant women who got acupuncture once or twice a week (for 25-minute sessions).

Are you experiencing heartburn? Will you try (or have you already tried) acupuncture?