How Can I Prevent Heartburn During Pregnancy
They say prevention is the best medicine, so knowing common heartburn triggers can help you keep the acid at bay.
Of course, pregnancy itself is a major trigger for heartburn. As your growing uterus puts pressure on your stomach, this pushes stomach acid up your throat.
Those lovely hormones are no help either. They tend to relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus, which makes it easier for acid to make its way upward.
While theres nothing you can do to stop this entirely, there are a few things that can help prevent heartburn from flaring up during pregnancy:
What Can I Take For Heartburn While Pregnant Besides Tums
If TUMS dont work for you, there are other options.
Acid reducers such as Zantac should be safe to use during pregnancy.
Proton pump inhibitors might also be appropriate, particularly if you are suffering from very frequent heartburn.
Its always worth talking to your doctor about which option will be best for you.
Other things that can help with heartburn while youre pregnant?
- Minimize your intake of foods that are high in acid, like citrus fruits and vinegar
- Keep the coffee and chocolate to a minimum
- Try to avoid overly processed, highly seasoned, and very fatty foods
- Ditch the chewing gum, particularly just after eating
- Leave a gap between dinner and bedtime
We hope you get some relief.
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Natural Alternatives To Antacids
Natural measures could help treat and prevent indigestion and heartburn effectively. Here are some alternatives you may try:
- Skimmed milk, yogurt, and soft cheeses
- Fermented vegetables including sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, and miso
- Apple cider vinegar . Drizzle a few drops over a salad or mix a couple of drops in a glass of water.
In addition to using natural remedies, you may take some care while eating food:
Have you taken antacids while pregnant? Share your experience with us in the comment section below.
References:
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How Many Tums Can I Take When Pregnant
There is no question that calcium is an important nutrient for bone health, both in mom and baby. Since Tums is made from calcium, any Tums you take will count toward the 1,300 mg daily recommended amount of calcium .
There is an upper limit of how much calcium per day is safe, however. It is best not to exceed 2500 mg of calcium per day .
The maximum number of Tums that you can take per day depends on the strength of the product. Original-style Tums are 40% calcium. There is an easy way to figure out how much calcium is in each tablet.
For example, say you took 1 Tums 500 tablet. Take 500 x 0.4 = 200 mg calcium
Do keep in mind, you are likely also getting some calcium from your diet, so it is best not to meet the 2,500 mg upper limit from Tums alone. To help you dose Tums, the brand offers a helpful pregnancy dosage guide on their website. You can find it here.
While there is a maximum as to how many Tums are safe to take each day, the tablets are still safe to use on a regular basis. If you have specific questions regarding how many Tums are safe for you and your baby, be sure to reach out to your medical provider or pharmacist for individualized advice.
It is also worth mentioning that taking Tums right before eating can block the proper absorption of other essential nutrients, such as iron and phosphorus.
Can I Drink Water After Taking Tums
Drink a full glass of water after taking either the regular or chewable tablets or capsules. Some liquid forms of calcium carbonate must be shaken well before use. Do not take Tums as an antacid for more than two weeks without talking to your doctor first.
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Can I Take Tums While Pregnant For Nausea
And sometimes that stomach acid gets really ambitious and does more than cause heartburn.
Enter pregnancy nausea.
As it turns out, TUMS can come to the rescue here too. As this medical review of multiple studies tells us, antacids are a good first line of defense.
That being said, if youre really struggling with your symptoms, reach out to your healthcare provider for advice. You dont have to just battle through this alone.
Are There Safe Antacids To Take During Pregnancy
Antacids are the most common way to address pregnancy heartburn. When you take any medication during pregnancy, over the counter or not, you should talk to your doctor about it first. There are several different types of antacids available over the counter. Lets review what they are, if they work and any known risks.
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How Do I Store And/or Throw Out Tums
- Store at room temperature.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Besides Tums What Else Can I Take For Heartburn During Pregnancy
You may consider taking other antacids such as Rolaids, Maalox, Pepcid and Zantac . However, check with your healthcare provider before using any of these medications. Besides medication, eating smaller meals, avoiding acidic and spicy foods, drinking lots of water, unsweetened coconut water, and mint tea can also provide relief from heartburn.
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What Are Some Other Side Effects Of Tums
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Constipation.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Ask Them About Themselves
Letting a teen know that you are by actively listening is a good way to open the door to connected conversations. It is also helpful to ask them questions about themselves. For example, if you have a teen in high school, ask them regularly about their day at school. Change up the questions by using some of the thoughts and ideas below:
- What is your favorite class right now? Why is it your favorite?
- What was the best thing about your day today?
- Was there anything difficult about your day today that you want to talk about?
- Which of your friends do you share classes with and do you get to talk to them or sit by them?
- Whom did you sit with at lunch and did you talk about anything interesting? If so, can you share?
- Who is your favorite teacher and why?
- Was there something that you looked forward to doing today? If so, what was it and how did it go?
- What was the hardest part of your day today?
- What was something you did today that you are proud of doing?
Here are some additional questions to ask your teen as conservation starters:
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A Word About Fda Pregnancy Categories
Using the letters A to D and X, the Food and Drug Administration used to assign pregnancy categories to drugs according to how safe they were to take while pregnant. These categories are no longer in use officially, but people often still refer to them for guidance.
When the lettering system was still in use, simethicone was considered category C. Category C stated that effects in human pregnancy were unknown, although some fetal damage had been observed in animal studies.
The American Family Physician Journal also classified simethicone as considered safe during pregnancy in 2014 and assigned it pregnancy category C.
Although Gas-X is considered safe during pregnancy, you may decide against it on your own or after talking to your OB. If thats the case, you may want to try some alternatives to avoid gas pain. These include:
- drinking more water and then drinking even more than that
- avoiding certain foods known to cause gas, such as beans, apples, certain dried fruits , excessive dairy, and onions
- avoiding swallowing excess air while eating or drinking by not talking while eating and not using a straw to consume liquid
- getting enough fiber
- not chewing gum
If youre already experiencing painful gas, ginger or peppermint tea might help soothe your digestive system. While other OTC options are considered pregnancy-safe, such as Maalox or Mylanta, its worth noting that they contain the same type of drug as Gas-X.
How Can I Control Heartburn During Pregnancy
Prevention and Treatment of Heartburn During Pregnancy
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Check What Triggers Heartburn
Take note of what you eat whenever you suffer from heartburn and anything that can increase your symptoms. Sometimes it is enough to eliminate certain foods from the diet to overcome this problem.
Start a diary where you will record everything you eat so you can pinpoint precisely what heartburn has triggered, recording what you eat, portions, cooking method, sauces and side dishes.
Do not forget to record everything you drink during the day, as drinks can also cause heartburn.
Remember that every food is different and something that has never given you problems could generate heartburn or vice versa so in case of indigestion do not immediately eliminate the food from your diet but always consult a doctor before any personal initiative.
Why Exactly Does Pregnancy Cause Heartburn
Heartburn during pregnancy will plague most moms-to-be at some point because progesterone, the hormone that relaxes muscles in pregnancy, also relaxes the stomach valve that keeps acid out of the esophagus. In addition, the growing uterus crowds the stomach, forcing acid into the esophagus.
But there are safe, effective ways to stop it. Pregnant women really dont need to suffer with heartburn anymore, says Adrienne Einarson, RN, assistant director of clinical services at Motherisk, a Toronto-based program that investigates the effects of prenatal exposures on maternal and fetal health. Here, experts recommend 12 different ways to soothe heartburn during pregnancy.
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What Otc Medicines To Avoid During Pregnancy
Pregnant women should avoid the following medications: ibuprofen , Bactrim , aspirin, naproxen , and codeine. When choosing medications, avoid all-in-one medications such as cold medicine that treats nasal congestion, fever, and aches and pains with one dose. Instead, treat specific symptoms . This decreases the chance of choosing a medication that might have ingredients that arent safe for you or your baby.
What Otc Medicines Are Safe During Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings with it a laundry list of ailments and complaints. Luckily, several over-the-counter remedies are safe to use during pregnancy. Although the following list isnt comprehensive, it should give you a general idea about whats okay to take during pregnancy to relieve common complaints. Again, discuss any medications you take with your doctor.
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When Should You Take Them
People can use antacids to help relieve occasional heartburn or indigestion. If someone needs them every day, they should see their doctor, as they may have an underlying health condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease .
A person should always read the instructions before taking antacids, as different types of antacids contain different active ingredients.
As a
Can I Take Antacids While Pregnant
What medications are safe to take during pregnancy? Over-the-counter antacids such as Tums, Rolaids, and Maalox may help you cope with occasional heartburn symptoms. Those made of calcium carbonate or magnesium are good options. However, it may be best to avoid magnesium during the last trimester of pregnancy.
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Beware Of Terat0genicity In The First Trimester
Yes, you can take tums when you are pregnant. But as much as possible, avoid taking it during your first trimester or the first three months of your pregnancy. Taking Tums during your first trimester might likely lead to a condition called teratogenicity. This is a condition where abnormalities are formed in the unborn baby while in the womb.
Causes Of Indigestion In Pregnancy
Symptoms of indigestion come when the acid in your stomach irritates your stomach lining or your gullet. This causes pain and a burning feeling.
When you’re pregnant, you’re more likely to have indigestion because of:
- hormonal changes
- the growing baby pressing on your stomach
- the muscles between your stomach and gullet relaxing, allowing stomach acid to come back up
You may be more likely to get indigestion in pregnancy if:
- you had indigestion before you were pregnant
- you’ve been pregnant before
- you’re in the later stages of pregnancy
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How Many Tums Can You Take When Pregnant
Dont take more than 10 regular-strength tablets in 24 hoursthats according to TUMS themselves.
A good guideline is to take two regular strength TUMS every four to six hours when you need them.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, if you are taking iron supplements, space them out from your TUMS intake so you get the maximum benefit from both.
Getting Relief From Heartburn During Pregnancy
There are two different approaches to relieving heartburn during pregnancy one is to make some dietary and lifestyle changes that may help prevent or reduce the severity of the problem, the other is to try an antacid.24
Youve probably made some changes to your lifestyle to prepare for the coming of your littleone. To help make sure you have a more comfortable pregnancy journey, there are a few other things you can do that can help make a difference for pregnant women with heartburn.2
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When To Get Medical Help
See your midwife or GP if you need help managing your symptoms or if changes to your diet and lifestyle do not work. They may recommend medicine to ease your symptoms.
You should also see your midwife or GP if you have any of the following:
- difficulty eating or keeping food down
- weight loss
- stomach pains
Your midwife or GP may ask about your symptoms and examine you by pressing gently on different areas of your chest and stomach to see whether it’s painful.
A Guide On Reducing Heartburn
The primary reason why you are taking Tums is to relieve yourselves from heartburn pain right? I already gave you a guide on how to take Tums properly, and now Im introducing you to a guide on how to reduce heartburn. If you are still in doubt whether to take Tums or not, but still wants the heartburn away, then you should read on.
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A Heartburn During Pregnancy Is So Common Its Often Seen As A Completely Normal Part Of Being Pregnant1 But Thats Not To Say Its A Minor Problem It Can Be Very Unpleasant And Quite Painful And Disrupt Your Sleep At A Time When You Need It Most
As most mums-to-be know, you have to be very careful about what medicines you take, so its no surprise that a lot of them ask, what can I take for heartburn when pregnant?
Dont worry. Youll be pleased to know that it is possible to get relief. There are a number of remedies for heartburn during pregnancy, and weve also put together some handy lifestyle tips to help prevent or reduce the symptoms.
How To Prevent Heartburn During Pregnancy
Altering your diet or adjusting your lifestyle should be the first thing you try when looking to manage your pregnancy heartburn. If you pay attention, you will probably notice certain foods are more likely to trigger heartburn. Here are some steps you can take:
- Avoid food and beverages that cause you gastrointestinal distress For example caffeine chocolate acidic foods like citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, mustard, and vinegar processed meats mint products and spicy, highly seasoned, fried, or fatty foods.
- Do not eat big meals. Instead, eat several small meals throughout the day. Take your time eating and chew thoroughly.
- Avoid drinking large quantities of fluids during meals you dont want to distend your stomach.
- Try chewing gum after eating Chewing gum stimulates your salivary glands, and saliva can help neutralize the acid.
- Do not eat close to bedtime Give yourself two to three hours to digest your food before you lie down.
Keep in mind the majority of pregnant women experience heartburn during pregnancy, take TUMS for relief and go on to have a normal and healthy pregnancy. Another product similar to TUMS, called Tame the Flame, is provided by Healthy Mama.
Want to Know More?
- Nightfoods Nighttime Ice Cream: the official ice cream of American Pregnancy Association and deliciously pregnancy friendly
Compiled using information from the following sources:
1. Mayo Clinic. .Mayo Clinic Guide to A Healthy Pregnancy. United States of America: Harper Collins.
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