Can You Take Tums While Pregnant First Trimester

Heartburn Or Heart Attack

What does heartburn have to do with your heart? Nothing, actually!

Despite its name, heartburn or acid indigestion is related to your esophagus. But because the esophagus and heart are located near each other, either one can cause chest pain which is why many people mistake heart burn for angina and vice versa.

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Can Pregnant Women Take Tums Are They Safe

Pregnancy and preparing to welcome a new addition into your life comes with many changes. For nearly half of all pregnant women, this includes heartburn and a newfound appreciation for antacids such as Tums.

Tums are only one brand name for fruity-yet-chalky calcium carbonate tablets that are available in a variety of strengths and versions.

Note: For the purposes of this article, I will refer to all of them simply as Tums. Other antacid brands with the same ingredients can be treated the same way, for the purposes of pregnancy safety.

The main ingredients in original-style Tums are corn starch, calcium carbonate, coloring, flavoring, mineral oil, sodium phosphate, sugar/sweetener, and talc. For those who dont enjoy the chalky sensation of traditional Tums, the brand does produce chews, too.

Chewy Tums have a few more ingredients to give them their signature texture . All of these ingredients are safe to use when pregnant, and Tums as a whole are no different .

The main difference between all of the different products? The amount of the active heartburn-relieving ingredient, calcium carbonate. Tums 750 contains 750 mg of calcium carbonate, Tums 1000 contains 1000 mg of calcium carbonate, and so on.

Indigestion And Heartburn In Pregnancy

Indigestion, also called heartburn or acid reflux, is common in pregnancy. It can be caused by hormonal changes and the growing baby pressing against your stomach.

You can help ease indigestion and heartburn by making changes to your diet and lifestyle, and there are medicines that are safe to take in pregnancy.

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Journey To Getting Pregnant:

I just want to preface this section by saying that I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Im simply sharing my experience and journey. Every single persons body and journey is different.

I also want you to acknowledge all of the couples who are currently in the trenches trying to conceive or might be having fertility issues please know that Im here for you and Id love the opportunity to pray for you or talk with you! I appreciate you reading my story.

Wow what a wild ride it has been to get here. For reference, Ben and I have been together for 6.5 years and married for 5 years in November.

We always knew that we wanted a family but we also wanted to travel extensively before we did as well as enjoy time with just the two of us. 5 years was always a goal for us to begin trying as they say.

I have personally struggled with irregular cycles my entire life. Sometimes going months without a period and just feeling incredibly hopeless. I really clung to both the Word and Ben during those times.

For years I worried if I would ever even get pregnant because every woman told me it would probably be a struggle due to my cycle. For reference, the average womans menstrual cycle is 28 days. Mine was about 50 days. So yeahbig difference.

A couple years ago, I read the book The Period Repair Manual by Dr. Lara Briden. I highly recommend this book! It really helped open my eyes to how I could try and begin to heal my body naturally.

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.

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How To Avoid Heartburn During Pregnancy

Heartburn or indigestion may not be new for you. You may have had it during your first trimester and then it went away. But now, it’s back. And you’re likely wondering why.

Many pregnant women have heartburn at some point. The hormone progesterone relaxes the ring-like sphincter at the base of your esophagus. This normally closes off entry to the stomach. When it doesnt close, food mixed with digestive enzymes can back up into your esophagus. The result: irritation and a burning sensation in your chest. And in the third trimester, you can also feel full because your growing uterus is putting pressure on your stomach.

Side Effects Of Tums During Pregnancy

Unlike a few other medications, Tums is likely to cause specific potential side effects during pregnancy. They are:

• Dry mouth
• Belching
• Frequent urge to urinate

You need to be cautious, and keep a few things in mind when taking Tums during pregnancy.

• Avoid taking Tums if you have a history of kidney disorder or parathyroid gland disorder. Tums, which is high in calcium content, might lead to kidney stone formation and imbalance the calcium levels in the body .

• Ask your doctor about the right dosage to take to prevent side effects. Do not exceed the required dosage.

• Taking Tums for heartburn can increase your calcium intake, but the medication should not be used as a calcium supplement during pregnancy.

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Pethidine Injections In Labour

This is an injection of a medicine called pethidine into your thigh or buttock to relieve pain. It can also help you to relax. Sometimes, less commonly, a medicine called diamorphine is used.

It takes about 20 minutes to work after the injection. The effects last between 2 and 4 hours, so would not be recommended if youre getting close to the pushing stage of labour.

What Pregnant Women Can Take For Indigestion And Heartburn

Safe to take: Tums, Maalox, Mylanta, Pepcid

Progesterone is at it again, causing heartburn by affecting your smooth muscle cells and relaxing the sphincter between your stomach and esophagus so acid comes up. Before you take Prilosec or another prescription medication while pregnant, try over-the-counter remedies first because theyre the least strong. Also eat smaller and more frequent meals, stop noshing two to three hours before you hit the sack, and steer clear of rich, fried, or spicy foods, which often trigger stomach irritation. Sleeping on an incline can also prevent the contents of your stomach from splashing into your esophagus, causing heartburn.

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Medical Treatment Of Gerd During Pregnancy

The challenge of treatment during pregnancy is the potential teratogenicity of common antireflux medications. Lifestyle modification is the key for treating mild symptoms. Smaller meals, not eating late at night, elevation of the head of the bed and avoiding foods and mediations causing heartburn usually relieve the mild symptoms seen in early pregnancy. Chewing gum stimulates the salivary glands and can help neutralize acid. Abstinence from alcohol and tobacco are encouraged to reduce reflux symptoms and to avoid fetal exposure to these harmful substances.

For more troubling reflux symptoms, the doctor must discuss with the patient the benefits vs. the risk of drug therapy. Informed consent is appropriate. Nearly all medications are not tested in randomized-controlled studies in pregnant women because of ethical and medicolegal concerns. Most recommendations on drug safety arise from case reports and cohort studies by doctors, pharmaceutical companies or the FDA. Voluntary reporting by the manufacturer’s suffers from unknown duration of follow-up, absence of appropriate controls and possible reporting bias.

Heartburn Acid Reflux And Gerd During Pregnancy

• What to eat

Its called heartburn, although that burning feeling in your chest has nothing to do with the heart. Uncomfortable and frustrating, it bothers many women, particularly during pregnancy.

The first question you may have is how to make it stop. You may also wonder if treatments are safe for your baby. Learn what causes heartburn during pregnancy and what you can do about it.

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What To Avoid If You Have Acid Reflux While Pregnant

Knowing what foods and lifestyle choices trigger acid reflux can be beneficial in preventing it in the first place. Below are just some of the things you should avoid when dealing with heartburn during pregnancy.

• Avoid eating big meals throughout the day. Acid reflux gets worse with undigested food. To avoid putting stress on your stomach, avoid eating big meals and eat smaller meals throughout the day instead. Divide three big meals into five or seven smaller meals to help your body digest the food properly.
• Dont exercise. Exercise can put stress on the body and worsen acid reflux symptoms. To prevent flare-ups, stick to low-stress exercise like walking. Ask your doctor for exercise recommendations. Read more in our post: Does Working Out Make Acid Reflux Worse?
• Refrain from snacking too close to bedtime. Lying down after a meal is one of the fastest ways to trigger acid reflux. Snacking close to bedtime also has the same effect. To prevent late night heartburn, sit up for at least 2 hours after your meal to prevent the food from traveling back up the esophagus.
• Avoid citrusy and high fat foods. Foods high in fat and citrus content can also trigger acid production. Stay away from citrusy foods and foods high in fat to avoid trigger heartburn and acid reflux.
• Skip the coffee. Coffee is an acidic beverage, which could contribute to your acid reflux. Skip the morning coffee, as well as the orange juice. Stick to beverages without any caffeine content.

Can I Use A Muscle Rub While Pregnant

In short, over-the-counter muscle rubs like IcyHot or Tiger Balm are OK to use while pregnant because of their low concentration of ingredients, according to Christine Sterling, MD, FACOG, a board-certified ob-gyn in California. Due to the large volume of different formulations available, Dr. Sterling recommends speaking with your doctor before using topical medications, especially while pregnant.

Similarly, Dr. King explained when your doctor is discussing medication safety in the context of pregnancy, theyre often trying to determine how a particular drug will affect a developing fetus. While some medications are perfectly safe to take when youre not pregnant, they could be very harmful to a baby in utero. Muscle rubs are locally acting, thus there is minimal systemic absorption, so the concern for harm to the fetus is minimal, she said.

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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.

How Can Heartburn During Pregnancy Be Prevented

You can take steps to reduce heartburn symptoms without hurting your baby.

Dietary changes:

• Eat several small meals throughout the day instead of three large ones.
• Eat slowly.
• Drink between your meals, but not with meals.
• Avoid fried, spicy or fatty foods.
• Avoid citrus fruits and juices.
• Limit caffeine.
• Dont smoke and avoid alcohol. Besides causing heartburn, smoking and drinking during pregnancy can cause health problems for the baby.

Other tips to avoid heartburn during pregnancy:

• Sit up straight when you eat.
• Dont eat late at night.
• Dont lie down right after eating.
• Keep the head of your bed higher than the foot of the bed. Or try placing pillows under your shoulders. Doing so helps prevent stomach acids from rising into your chest.

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The Best Pregnancy Green Smoothie

What makes a great smoothie for pregnancy?

• Includes nutrients that are in increased need during pregnancy
• Includes mint and ginger both known to settle upset stomachs (youre welcome morning sickness!
• It is cold and creamy which makes it easier to stomach if youre feeling queasy
• You can prep this baby ahead of time to help you out when youre feeling tired! (see below for how to make your own smoothie pucks!
• And it tastes DELICIOUS!

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Which Teas Are Not Safe

Many herbs used in teas, when taken in large or medicinal amounts, can be harmful. Some may even increase the odds of miscarriage, early labor, or low birth weight.

Herbs that may cause problems include anise, ginger, lime blossom, rose hip, catnip, chamomile, comfrey, ephedra , European mistletoe, hibiscus, horehound, Labrador, lemongrass, licorice root, mugwort, pennyroyal, raspberry leaf, rosemary, sage, sassafras, stinging nettle leaf, vetiver, and yarrow.

Ginger is commonly used to ease morning sickness during pregnancy, and studies have shown its effectiveness and safety for this purpose. But thereâs also some evidence that it may negatively affect fetal sex hormones. So before you drink ginger tea, be sure to discuss its benefits and risks with your healthcare provider.

Although some midwives use raspberry leaf to aid delivery, its effectiveness hasnât been proven. It should be used only near term and under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Avoid the rest of the herbs mentioned above if youâre pregnant or nursing.

Note: You can still eat food that contains some of these herbs, like rosemary and anise, because the amounts used in food are generally much smaller than those used in teaand not as potent.

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Your Pain Relief Options

Labour can be painful it can help to learn about all the ways you can relieve the pain.

Its also helpful for whoever is going to be with you during your labour to know about the different options, as well as how they can support you.

Ask your midwife or doctor to explain whats available so you can decide whats best for you.

Write down your wishes in your birth plan, but remember you need to keep an open mind. You may find you want more pain relief than youd planned, or your doctor or midwife may suggest more effective pain relief to help the delivery.

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How Can You Care For Yourself At Home

• Eat small, frequent meals.
• Do not eat chocolate, peppermint, or very spicy foods. Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and sodas.
• Avoid bending over or lying down after meals.
• Take a short walk after you eat.
• If heartburn is a problem at night, do not eat for 2 hours before bedtime.
• Take antacids like Mylanta, Maalox, Rolaids, or Tums. Do not take antacids that have sodium bicarbonate or magnesium trisilicate. Be careful when you take over-the-counter antacid medicines. Many of these medicines have aspirin in them. While you are pregnant, do not take aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin unless your doctor says it is okay.
• If you’re not getting relief, talk to your doctor. You may be able to take a stronger acid-reducing medicine.

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Pregnancy And Acid Reflux: Why It Happens

Morning sickness and food sensitivities are just two of the most common pregnancy side effects, but it turns out these two arent the only common ones. Heartburn and acid reflux also affect a significant portion of pregnant women.

Heartburn is characterized as the feeling of burning in your chest. Despite its namesake, it has nothing to do with your heart burning heartburn is a symptom of acid and gas flaring up the chest. This is usually triggered by certain foods and eating habits.

On the other hand, acid reflux refers to the backwash of acid contents up the esophagus, leading to an acidic sensation in the throat and mouth. Acid reflux and heartburn go hand in hand in a condition generally known as acid reflux.

Chronic acid reflux is quite common, with 20% of adults in Western cultures being diagnosed with this long-term digestive problem. As for pregnant women, acid reflux can suddenly become a bane due to hormonal and physical changes caused by pregnancy. Most pregnant women stop exhibiting acid reflux symptoms after giving birth.

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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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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