Can I Take Tums During Pregnancy

What Class Is Tums In For Pregnancy

Interestingly enough, TUMS doesnt have a specific category as a pregnancy medication or drug according to the US FDA.

This is because its not known to cause any abnormalities to the mother or baby if taken while pregnant.

But if youre not sure whether you should take TUMS while pregnant, particularly if youve had gastrointestinal issues before, its worth checking with your doctor.

Herbal Supplements And Vitamins

Some alternative therapies have been found to safely and effectively alleviate some of the uncomfortable side effects of pregnancy but natural doesnt always mean these herbal supplements are safe. As with any over the counter medication, its important to talk with your doctor about every supplement or vitamin you take while pregnant.

Prenatal vitamins are also an important part of a healthy pregnancy. Multivitamins that include folic acid are safe and important before and during the first few weeks of pregnancy because they can help prevent some birth defects. Your doctor or midwife can advise you about which type of multivitamin with folic acid you should take. Medical providers sometimes prescribe extra folic acid or iron supplements, depending on your specific situation.

Symptoms Of Indigestion And Heartburn

Symptoms of indigestion and heartburn include:

• a burning sensation or pain in the chest
• feeling full, heavy or bloated
• burping or belching
• feeling or being sick
• bringing up food

Symptoms usually come on soon after eating or drinking, but there can sometimes be a delay between eating and developing indigestion.

You can get symptoms at any point during your pregnancy, but they are more common from 27 weeks onwards.

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What Happens If You Take Tums While Pregnant

If you take Tums for heartburn when youre pregnant, youll feel a lot better in just a few minutes. Chew a tablet and stay sitting up for at least 5 to 10 minutes. The active ingredients descend to the esophagus and stomach where they start neutralizing the acid thats causing the pain and burning sensation.

Tums provide rapid relief when used for treating heartburn occasionally. In fact, its often recommended by OB/GYNs.

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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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Learn What Causes Heartburn For Youthen Avoid It

Fat, caffeine, chocolate, citruspregnant women with heartburn have been advised to avoid all of the above at one time or another. But what causes reflux in one woman might not be a trigger for another.

Rather than tell his pregnant patients to avoid a specific food, Dr. Richter says he advises them to stay away from foods that specifically aggravate them. Everybodys different, Dr. Richter says. Some pregnant women can chow down on spicy Mexican food or a plate of spaghetti and meatballs with no ill effects.

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Does Heartburn Mean Hairy Baby

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.

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Can I Take Tums While Pregnant

Pregnant women may experience heartburn for the first time.

We know there are many surprises along the road to motherhood like heartburn. More than 50% of all pregnant women report symptoms of heartburn, particularly during their second and third trimesters. Pregnant women may experience heartburn because of changes to diet, fluctuating hormone levels, and crowding of the abdomen.1

Effects Of Heartburn Medicine On A Fetus

There arent any known risk factors for a fetus if Tums is used during pregnancy. When it comes to heartburn medicine, safe options generally include formulations with calcium carbonate or magnesium. If an antacid contains aluminum, it should be avoided during pregnancy. So what about the effects of Alka Seltzer while pregnant? Many formulations of Alka Seltzer contain aspirin. Aspirin is an NSAID and NSAIDs are not considered safe during pregnancy. If any formulation of Alka Seltzer is used that contains aspirin, it can cause serious effects on a fetus.

The use of NSAIDs during pregnancy can lead to serious heart and lung problems or death. If a form of Alka Seltzer is used with aspirin, it can cause premature closing of a heart passageway in the fetus. Using aspirin while pregnant can also lower the levels of amniotic fluid. The risk of heart problems is more significant if the NSAID is taken after the 30th week of pregnancy. If an NSAID is taken during the early weeks of pregnancy, it can increase the risk of miscarriage. If an Alka Seltzer formulation doesnt contain aspirin or another NSAID, it may be safe during pregnancy, but you should read all ingredients and also speak to your healthcare provider. Some forms of Alka Seltzer such as Alka Seltzer Plus Cold Relief may also have ingredients like chlorpheniramine, which is a decongestant. This can also be dangerous for a fetus. Its a good rule of thumb overall when pregnant to avoid combination medications.

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Is It Safe To Use Tums During Pregnancy

It is common during pregnancy period that women faces different changes in their body and some problems like heartburn or acid indigestion or acid re-flux. Heartburn is a burning sensation that occurs in area between throat and lower breast bone. This burning sensation expands from lower breast bone to throat. This is common discomfort faced during pregnancy and it may be first time for many women so it causes discomfort but it is harmful. Heartburns occurs in pregnant women due to physical and hormonal changes.

Hormone progesterone is produced by the placenta that relaxes the smooth muscles of the uterus and it also relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach this allows gastric acids to seep back up and causes burning sensation.

When they look for solution for heartburn generally question rises Are Tums Safe during Pregnancy. Tums are not specifically created for pregnancy women suffering from heartburn. Tums or generic calcium carbonate is an antacid that provides fast relief from heartburn. During pregnancy tum should be taken with maintaining time gap from iron supplements that helps in achieving benefits of medicines as tums also provides calcium to the body.

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Disclaimer

Don’t Treat Tums Like Candy

As with most things, moderation is key. The manufacturer advises pregnant people to limit themselves to a maximum of 15 TUMS Regular Strength 500 within any 24-hour period. The maximums differ from product to product, so be sure to read the bottle carefully and consult with a healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.

Dr. Clark suggests keeping an eye on intake and symptoms. “If you find you are using TUMS daily or they do not relieve your symptoms, be sure to let your obstetrical care provider know.”

If TUMS aren’t working to relieve your symptoms after a while, don’t fret. “It may be time to consider alternative therapy for your symptoms of GERD, like a prescription medication,” says Dr. Clark.

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Maintain A Gap Between Meal Time And Bedtime

Make sure that there is at least one hour gap between the meal and your bedtime. This distance will help your body to digest better avoiding indigestion and heartburn.

If you go to sleep immediately after the meal the body will not be able to digest correctly, and the likelihood of heartburn will increase.

If you want you can lie down, but you do not have to sleep, if you can stay awake you will allow your body to digest better. Keep in mind that if you lie down you may slow down the process of digestion and therefore it is better to remain standing or sitting.

If you want to speed up the digestion, you can walk after the meal and in this way you can do physical activity and promote metabolism at the same time.

If You’re Taking Prescription Medicines

Speak to your GP if you’re taking medicine for another condition, such as antidepressants, and you think it may be making your indigestion worse. They may be able to prescribe an alternative medicine.

Never stop taking a prescribed medicine unless you’re advised to do so by your GP or another qualified healthcare professional who’s responsible for your care.

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Ideal Dosage Of Tums During Pregnancy

Image: Shutterstock

You may take two to four tablets of Tums every two hours to get the needed relief from heartburn . However, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking any antacid. Also, always maintain a gap of at least two hours between taking an antacid and iron supplements to derive maximum benefits from both the medicines.

Medicines For Indigestion And Heartburn

Medicines for indigestion and heartburn during pregnancy include:

• antacids to neutralise the acid in your stomach
• alginates to relieve indigestion caused by acid reflux by stopping the acid in your stomach coming back up your gullet

You may only need to take antacids and alginates when you start getting symptoms. However, your GP may recommend taking them before symptoms come on for example, before a meal or before bed.

If you’re taking iron supplements as well as antacids, do not take them at the same time. Antacids can stop iron from being absorbed by your body.

If antacids and alginates do not improve your symptoms, your GP may prescribe a medicine to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. 2 that are widely used in pregnancy and not known to be harmful to an unborn baby are:

• ranitidine a tablet you take twice a day
• omeprazole a tablet you take once a day

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What Are Some Alternatives For Treating Heartburn While Pregnant

While some heartburn medications might be safe during pregnancy, theyre not always a long-term solution to the problem. There are steps outside of medicine pregnant women can use to help their heartburn. Some lifestyle changes that may help heartburn while pregnant include:

• Try to eat at least two to three hours before lying down or going to bed. This can help food digest and leave the stomach. It will also reduce acid levels before lying down.
• Eat smaller meals as opposed to fewer large meals.
• Certain foods and beverages can be heartburn triggers. These can include onions, chocolate, caffeine tomatoes, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and foods that are spicy or high in fat.
• Increase water intake
• When lying down, try to keep the head and chest higher than the feet.
• Drink milk or eat yogurt
• Ginger is a natural remedy that can help with certain gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Dont bend over after eating.
• Try to sip liquids rather than drinking quickly.

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When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider About Heartburn During Pregnancy

If heartburn isnt going away, talk to your provider. They can prescribe medications that are safe to take while pregnant.

You should also call your provider if you:

• Have heartburn that wakes you up at night.
• Have trouble swallowing.
• Have black poop.
• Are losing weight.

Heartburn can have similar symptoms to a heart attack. If youve never had heartburn before and youre having chest pains, call your provider or head to the nearest ER.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Heartburn during pregnancy is a common pregnancy symptom, especially in the third trimester. You can prevent or get relief from heartburn during pregnancy by making a few changes to your diet, like eating more frequent but smaller meals and avoiding spicy or fried foods. Some yogurt or milk may also help relieve symptoms. Before you take antacids, be sure to check with your provider for the safest option to take during pregnancy.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/29/2021.

References

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Or Inquire About Proton Pump Inhibitors

If other medications don’t help, there are also proton pump inhibitors , such as Prevacid. These have a more powerful acid-suppressing effect than H2 blockers, and most are available over the counter.

Although PPIs are, in general, safe for pregnant women, animal studies have raised concerns that omeprazole could harm a developing fetus, Dr. Richter says. “My recommendation to patients would be to avoid that one because there are about five or six out there on the market, with the H2 blockers,” he says. “All of them look to be safe during pregnancy.”

Be sure to discuss any medications 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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What Noises Does Your Stomach Make When Pregnant

As you bendy baby wriggles and jiggles about, some experts believe that the popping noise could be caused by the fluid moving around inside the amniotic sad. As your uterus moves around inside you, usually because you are being poked and prodded by you baby’s stretching limbs, air moves around causing a popping sound.

Do Tums Help Acid Reflux And Gerd

TUMS treats heartburn, which is triggered by stomach acid that refluxes back into the esophagus. GERD is also an acid reflux-related condition, but it generally has more severe symptoms and occurs more frequently. You should speak to your doctor to confirm a diagnosis of GERD and determine the appropriate treatment, which may include daily use of prescription medication.

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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:

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.

Does Tums Really Work

Tums works as an antacid so it will relieve the heartburn in no time. An active ingredient in TUMS is Calcium Carbonate . Tums reduce the amount of gas in the stomach and intestines, provide a barrier to restrict the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus, and neutralizing the acid in your stomach.

Based on the claim and the customers review, Tums is effective and works fast.

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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.

Safe Medications During Pregnancy

Theres no doubt that along with the joys of pregnancy, women can and do experience uncomfortable side effects. If youre feeling under the weather, you may be wondering if over-the-counter remedies are safe for you and your baby. In most cases, its best to avoid OTC medications particularly in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. While some medications are safe to use in limited quantities, other medicines are known to increase the chance of birth defects or other problems.

If you have questions or are considering a medication thats not listed below, please reach out to your doctor for additional safety information. You should also call your doctor if you have a fever 100.4 F or greater, or if symptoms persist or worsen. The obstetrics specialists at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group are here to help you weigh the risks and benefits of prescription and over-the-counter medications that are safe to take during pregnancy.

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