Opt For Tums Over Rolaids
You may be tempted to get Rolaids as thats what youre used to. Cut this out during pregnancy.
The best option is to take TUMS. These digest within the stomach to balance out the stomach acid. However, some pregnant women have said that theyre arent as effective as Pepcid during the third trimester.
TUMS is useful when you need on-the-spot treatment, but Pepcid will last longer. There is also the downside of sugar in TUMS, which should normally be managed but especially during pregnancy to avoid gestational diabetes.
Heartburn and acidity are common concerns during pregnancy. The digestive system is affected by the changes in hormones, increased blood flow and the pressure from the growing baby. This is when you would want to take an antacid to get relief from these symptoms.
But you are in a dilemma because you do not know whether or not antacids are safe during pregnancy. In this post, MomJunction tells you if it is safe to take antacids during pregnancy, the ones that you should avoid, and natural alternatives to antacids.
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Does Acid Reflux Mean Baby Has Hair
MYTH OR TRUTH: Heartburn means a hairy baby. Answer: TRUTH! Heartburn usually strikes in the third trimester and is due to estrogen causing the esophageal sphincter to relax, which allows stomach acid to splash up into the esophagus. Estrogen appears to be responsible for hair growth in the developing baby.
Is It Safe To Take Antacid While Pregnant
An antacid syrup can help provide instant relief against heartburn and acidity during pregnancy. In fact, syrups are preferred over antacid tablets while pregnant as the syrup variety can readily dissolve and work faster. The majority of antacids that are available are safe to be consumed. However, there are some which can be quite dangerous and even lead to a miscarriage. The key is to have antacids in moderation and get your doctors approval.
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Is It Safe To Take Antacids During Pregnancy
Heartburn and acidity are common concerns during pregnancy. The digestive system is affected by the changes in hormones, increased blood flow and the pressure from the growing baby. This is when you would want to take an antacid to get relief from these symptoms.
But you are in a dilemma because you do not know whether or not antacids are safe during pregnancy. In this post, MomJunction tells you if it is safe to take antacids during pregnancy, the ones that you should avoid, and natural alternatives to antacids.
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Treatment Of Heartburn During Pregnancy
If your heartburn wonât go away, see your doctor. They may prescribe or recommend OTC medications that are safe to take during pregnancy. Heartburn usually disappears following childbirth.
Medications may include:
Over-the-counter antacids such as calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide. These are generally safe to use during pregnancy. You may find that liquid heartburn relievers are more effective in treating heartburn, because they coat the esophagus.
H2 blockers. These medications block chemical signals that produce stomach acid. They include cimetidine and famotidine , and theyâre available in over the counter and prescription strengths.
Proton pump inhibitors . Like H2 blockers, these drugs help cut down on stomach acid. PPIs, which include lansoprazole and omeprazole , are available over the counter and by prescription.
If you take iron supplements, talk to your doctor before you take a PPI or H2 blocker. These medications can make the supplements less effective.
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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. âPregnant women really donât need to suffer with heartburn anymore,â 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.
Mixing Medications Or Supplements
It is worth noting that another important supplement pregnant women might be taking is iron, which should always be taken at least two hours before or after an antacid. Inform your doctor of any other medications or supplements you might be taking while using TUMS to avoid any unforeseen complications.
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Can Too Many Tums Hurt The Baby During Pregnancy
Yes, excessive intake of Tums can increase calcium levels in the body , which is known to cause maternal, fetal and neonatal complications.
Heartburn during pregnancy is extremely uncomfortable, but you can surely avoid it by making some smart changes to your diet and lifestyle. Stay away from foods and beverages that trigger gastrointestinal distress, eat small meals at frequent intervals, drink enough water every day and avoid eating close to bedtime.
Matys All Natural Acid & Indigestion Relief
I know that there are pregnant mamas who worry about how medications interact with babies in the womb. Im right there with you. Im not keen on artificial flavors and sweeteners and chemicals I cant pronounce. Thats why Im including a natural alternative antacid to Tums.
Now, your mileage may vary with this product, but it does get a lot of positive reviews and doesnt have anything bad in it unless youre allergic to a specific ingredient. Whats more, its a veggie capsule and doesnt leave an unpleasant taste or coating in the mouth.
This drug-free antacid is made with apple cider vinegar powder, coriander seed, turmeric root, clove bud, and ginger root. These are natural digestive aids that help balance stomach acid and calm nausea. Not only do they fix indigestion, but they treat reflux.
The formula contains no aluminum, calcium, chemicals, sweeteners, flavors, dyes, or dairy. All you need to do is swallow one capsule with a cup of water.
After you take it, stay sitting up for a while and think calm thoughts while it starts working. If all goes well, you should be heartburn-free for the rest of the night.
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What Matters Most To You
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to take medicines for GERD
Reasons to have surgery for GERD
I’m not worried about the side effects of taking medicines.
I want to avoid taking medicine or at least reduce how much medicine I’ll need.
I want to avoid having surgery if at all possible.
I’m not worried about having surgery.
I can make lifestyle changes and try different medicines.
I have been trying medicines for some time, and my symptoms are still bad.
Can You Take Alka Seltzer And Tums While Pregnant
Natural ways to address heartburn during pregnancy include eating several hours before bed, avoiding certain foods, having smaller meals and eating more slowly. Can You Take Heartburn Medicine While Pregnant? Tums and Alka Seltzer are two brand-name, over-the-counter medicines frequently used to treat heartburn. Can you take Tums while pregnant?
Can you take Tums during pregnancy for heartburn and nausea?
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or heartburn is a common trigger for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Because of normal pregnancy changes, pregnant women are more likely to get heartburn even if they have never had it before. Avoid spicy foods and take over-the-counter antacids like Tums.
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What Do I Need To Tell My Doctor Before I Take Tums
- If you have an allergy to calcium or any other part of this medicine .
- If you are allergic to this medicine any part of this medicine or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have high calcium levels.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine .
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What Is Pregnancy Heartburn
Stomach upset is a common symptom during pregnancy, as is acid reflux. In addition, pregnant women are more susceptible to GERD because of hormonal changes that occur at different stages of pregnancy.
These hormones plus increased pressure in the abdomen can prevent the valve at the top of the stomach from closing correctly. This, in turn, allows the stomachs contents, including stomach acid, to spill out into the esophagus and cause frequent heartburn.
Pregnancy heartburn is at its worst during the advanced stages of pregnancy because of the increasing pressure that builds in the uterus, which affects the entire abdomen.
However, if you take iron supplementation for anemia during pregnancy, know that iron can contribute to stomach upset and heartburn. If so, you may have to balance taking the iron with the heartburn, e.g., skipping alternate days to take it, for example.
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Are Probiotics Safe To Consume During Pregnancy
You may have read about consuming probiotics during pregnancy. Recent studies have examined the effects of probiotics on pregnant women, discerning whether it is safe for pregnant women to consume probiotics. One concern pregnant women may have is that probiotics could potentially cause systemic infections, such as probiotic-related bacteremia and fungemia.2
However, the risk of developing infections is low, and such infections are very unlikely to reach the systemic circulation of the fetus and improbable of causing harm.4 In fact, a recent study that tested 1,500 pregnant women found that after probiotic treatment between 32 and 36 weeks began, there was no increase in the incidence of miscarriages or malformations.4
If youre experiencing heartburn while pregnant, then a probiotic diet could help support healthy digestion and protect against harmful bacteria.2 However, if youre not keen on incorporating probiotics into your diet and youre experiencing heartburn, then an antacid like TUMS may be an option to relieve discomfort. Speak to your doctor to determine whether TUMS or other treatments are appropriate for you while pregnant.
Consult with your doctor about ways you can improve your diet and other lifestyle changes that can help treat heartburn, especially while pregnant. Learn more about TUMS products and discover more resources about taking TUMS while pregnant, remedies for pregnancy and heartburn, and more.
Are There Other Medicines For Heartburn During Pregnancy
You may consider acid reducers or Proton Pump Inhibitors for stronger and long-term heartburn relief. These medications focus on reducing stomach acid instead of neutralizing existing acids. They may be strong, which means you may need a prescription.
Sometimes, you may need something stronger, as simple antacids like Tums cannot deal with your issues. There are more effective and longer-lasting solutions to help with long-term heartburn, such as acid reducers or Proton Pump Inhibitors .
Unlike antacids that neutralize acid, acid reducers slow down or stop acid production, relieving heartburn at its main source. Pepcid Complete is a common brand of acid reducers.
However, it may be too late to take acid reducers when you get heartburn, as the acid has been produced. This means you want to take acid reducers before meals to help avoid heartburn. You may follow up with some antacids if the acid reducers fail to reduce your heartburn.
Suppose both acid reducers and antacids cannot help you manage your heartburn and acid reflux well enough. In that case, you may see a doctor and ask about Proton Pump Inhibitors .
PPI works by reducing stomach acid production but in a more clinical way. It does so by targeting the proton pumps in the stomach, reducing the amount of acids they produce. PPIs include medicines such as pantoprazole , lansoprazole , omeprazole , and esomeprazole .
Acid reducers and PPIs may require a doctors prescription.
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How Many Tums Are Too Many
The Tums label advises taking only a few in one sitting, not exceeding 7,500 milligrams, which depending on the dosage can range anywhere from 7 to 15 tablets.
What can a pregnant woman take for acid reflux?
For heartburn relief, over-the-counter antacids are all considered safe medications to use during pregnancy.
What If I Think Ive Had Too Many Tums
Though safe to use while pregnant, taking too many Tums is certainly a possibility. After all, pregnancy heartburn can be very intense and its easy to lose track.
While overdoing it on Tums isnt likely to cause any immediate and serious harm, it is best to keep tabs on your body. Excess calcium can lead to kidney stones, GI upset, and in severe cases alterations in heart rhythm or fainting .
If you notice any unusual symptoms, give your medical provider a call and discuss the amount of Tums youve taken, including your best estimate of how many Tums you have had.
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Amazon Basic Care Omeprazole
Prilosec is the brand name of omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor that treats frequent heartburn. If you have reflux or heartburn more than twice a week, you might need a pill like this. The over-the-counter dose is 20 mg and it works for 24 hours. Its recommended that you swallow one capsule on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and wait an hour before having breakfast. However, I take mine before dinner at least 2 hours after my last snack.
Now, to be honest, its designed as a 2-week treatment. But doctors prescribe this long-term for people all around the world. Yes, it may have some negative impact on your health if used for months and years at a time. But repeated exposure to acid has a negative impact on your esophagus, too. Its best to talk it over with your doctor.
Avoid Taking Tums If You Have Kidney Problems
If you are currently diagnosed with kidney problems and are pregnant, avoid taking tums. Also, if you are at high risk of getting kidney diseases, you should stay away from Tums too. As what Ive mentioned, Tums provide a good amount of calcium. But too much calcium might form stones in your kidney and will worsen your situation. If you have a healthy kidney, then youre good to go.
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Can You Take Tums While Pregnant 6 Steps You Need To Know
Are you a first time? Do you have a lot of things in mind about what to take and what not during your pregnancy? Can you take Tums while pregnant? Well then, worry no more! In this article, Im going to explain what does Tums do to your body and how you should intake it.
What Causes Heartburn During Pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, your bodys hormone levels experience changes. Some may act as a muscle relaxant that helps to prepare your body for childbirth. The downside? The increase of some hormones may also relax the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. That’s the valve responsible for keeping stomach acid from moving up into the esophagus, where it doesn’t belong. If the acid moves into that area, it can irritate the esophagus and cause heartburn.2
As your pregnancy progresses and your baby grows, there may be more pressure on your stomach. This too can push the acid in your stomach past the LES and back into the esophagus, causing heartburn.
The good news is that heartburn will likely stop for most women after they give birth. If you have heartburn while pregnant, however, you may be at an increased risk of having heartburn later in life.
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Is Tums Good For An Upset Stomach
Tums is an affordable, effective option for treating an upset stomach. Chewable Tums tablets start working within five minutes and can be taken as needed. Tums should only be used for mild, occasional heartburn and indigestion. If youre needing to use Tums consistently for more than 14 days, consult a healthcare provider.
Key Points To Remember
- GERD symptoms may not get better on their own. It’s important to treat GERD, because it can lead to more serious problems, such as inflammation or narrowing of the esophagus.
- Most people can control symptoms of GERD with over-the-counter medicines and lifestyle changes.
- Stronger prescription medicines often work when over-the-counter medicines don’t.
- You may decide to have surgery if:
- Medicine doesn’t completely relieve your symptoms.
- Medicine works to stop your symptoms but for other reasons you can’t or don’t want to take the medicine.
- You have other symptoms, including asthma or hoarseness, that do not get much better with medicines.
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