Antacids You Shouldnt Take
You should always read the labels and ask your doctor before using OTC medicines, herbs, or home remedies while youre pregnant. Even though it may seem like something should be safe, it isnt always. Some conventional treatments for heartburn that you shouldnt use during pregnancy are:
- Alka-Seltzer
- Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate
- Bicarbonate of soda
- Products containing aspirin
When Should I Be Concerned
If heartburn is persistent and comes with other symptoms such as coughing, difficulty swallowing, or black stool, see a doctor. You might be diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which requires more significant treatment.
Anytime you feel pressure on your chest that concerns you, reach out to your doctor. It might just be heartburn, but it doesnt hurt to get checked out.
Suffering From Pregnancy Heartburn 5 Top Tips To Relieve Heartburn During Pregnancy
If you are having pregnancy heartburn, you are definitely not alone! In fact, pregnancy heartburn affects 8/10 women at some point during their 9 months and – as you probably know by now – can be pretty unpleasant. Its been found that around 1/4 of women experience heartburn during pregnancy in their first trimester, 1/3 of women in their second trimester and 3/4 of women in their third trimester. So, whilst some things get better as your pregnancy progresses, pregnancy heartburn, although harmless is unfortunately, likely to get worse.
Thankfully there are some solutions and pregnancy heartburn remedies that have been tried and tested. To help you find pregnancy heartburn relief and put your mind at ease, weve put together a brief insight into what pregnancy heartburn actually is and some of the best ways to manage it.
What is pregnancy heartburn?
All heartburn, including heartburn during pregnancy, is caused by acid reflux: Acid from your stomach rises up through your food pipe , irritating it. This happens when a small muscle, located where the food pipe meets the stomach, is weak or too relaxed. Its job is to let food into the stomach and to stop food and acids from coming back out, but if it is weak, the stomachs contents are able to flow upwards. It can leave you with pain or a burning feeling in your chest and/or throat. It can also cause a hoarse voice, sickness, bloating, an unpleasant taste in your mouth and bad breath not fun!
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When Should I Talk To My Doctor
If you have heartburn that often wakes you up at night, returns as soon as your antacid wears off, or creates other symptoms , you may have a more serious problem that requires attention.
Your doctor may diagnose you with GERD. This means that your heartburn needs to be controlled to protect you from complications such as damage to the esophagus.
Your doctor may prescribe certain acid-reducing medications to reduce your symptoms. Research indicates that medications called H2 blockers, which help block the production of acid, appear to be safe.
Another type of medication, called proton pump inhibitors, is used for people with heartburn that doesnt respond to other treatments.
If youre concerned about the effects of medications, be sure to talk to your doctor. Doctors can help you control your symptoms while keeping your unborn child safe.
Symptoms Of Heartburn During Pregnancy
Symptoms of heartburn should never be ignored during pregnancy. These symptoms indicate that a part of your body is not working properly internally. We will now point out the symptoms of this problem:
1. Sore throat and sore throat
2. Difficulty swallowing
5. Sudden pain in the back or shoulders
6. Feeling dizzy or light-headed
7. Chest pain
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Heartburn Medication To Avoid During Pregnancy
Talk to your doctor before taking any antacids. Some contain ingredients that may harm you or your baby. Be sure to not to take these medications:
Ranitidine. In 2020, the FDA stopped sales of an H2 blocker called ranitidine because it was contaminated with a cancer-causing agent. If you take OTC ranitidine, stop your use. If you have a prescription for ranitidine, talk to your doctor about other options before you stop your medication.
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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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Why Does It Happen In Pregnancy
Many women who have heartburn during pregnancy have never had problems before. Unfortunately, if you had heartburn before becoming pregnant, youre more likely to have symptoms while you are pregnant. Although the exact reasons arent clear, most experts believe that pregnancy hormones, particularly progesterone, play a role. Hormones cause relaxation of the esophageal sphincter. This is a tight circular band of muscle at the top of the stomach. This allows partially digested food and stomach acids to backflow, or reflux, into the esophagus. In addition, progesterone also slows the digestive process. This keeps food in the stomach longer. The pregnancy itselfthe upward pressure of the growing uterusalso may play a role.
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, its back. And youre 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.
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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. “Pregnant women really don’t 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.
Instant Heartburn Relief Home Remedy
Ever suffered from painful indigestion? Perhaps you have interpreted it as though it was an impending heart attack. If this continues to persist chances are you may be having an acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease. The pain you have just felt is called heartburn and you need acid reflux help.
Acid reflux, otherwise known as heartburn, can be a painful medical condition. Fortunately most people who suffer from acid reflux disease can keep the disease under control with the proper acid reflux diet. If you suffer from severe heartburn, here are some acid reflux diet tips to help you get some relief in your life.
If you prefer to use herbal remedies to prevent symptoms of acid reflux, chamomile tea will be one of the natural remedy that you can go for. It relieves esophageal irritation. All you require to do is to pour a cup of boiling water over two to three teaspoons of fresh or dried flowers and then allow it to steep for fifteen or twenty minutes. You can easily drink three cups on a daily basis. Fennel tea is also known to be very effective remedy for acid reflux.
Honey: There are medicinal and calming qualities in honey. Manuka honey from New Zealand seems to have the highest potency. Putting a teaspoonful on a small piece of bread will help the honey coat the esophagus and make its way into the rest of the digestive track where it will continue to heal.
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Which Diet And Lifestyle Changes Relieve Heartburn During Pregnancy
The management of heartburn during pregnancy involves many of the same principles as management in the non-pregnant state. Lifestyle changes may include:
Heartburn And Indigestion In Pregnancy
Heartburn causes a burning feeling in the chest or throat. Its uncomfortable, but is not usually harmful to pregnant women or their babies.
8 out of 10 pregnant women experience heartburn. Youre most likely to get heartburn in the third trimester of your pregnancy.
The symptoms of heartburn include:
- a burning feeling in your chest or throat
- acid coming up into your mouth
- feeling sick
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Otc Heartburn Medications For Pregnancy Heartburn Relief:
Antacids for Pregnancy Heartburn Relief:
Certain antacids may be ok to take when pregnant. Those containing calcium or magnesium are typically considered safe. Those containing aluminum, aspirin, and bismuth subsalicylate should be avoided. Aluminum can cause constipation and toxicity in large dosages. Baking soda should be avoided due to its high sodium content. And the use of bismuth subsalicylate can result in absorption of salicylate which can cause an increase in fetal cardiac malformation.3 Antacids containing calcium or magnesium include:
- Milk of Magnesia
H2 Blockers for Pregnancy Heartburn Relief:
Do not use H2 blockers without a doctors advice if you are pregnant.
If antacids arent working, the next level of over the counter acid control is an H2 blocker like Axid, Pepcid, Tagamet, and Zantac. The FDA has assigned H2 blockers to the pregnancy category B. Animal testing has shown no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus, but no human studies have not been done. The benefit of taking these drugs during pregnancy should certainly outweigh any risk to you or the baby.4,5
PPIs for Pregnancy Heartburn Relief:
Do not use proton pump inhibitors without a doctors advice if you are pregnant.
Proton pump inhibitors are used to reduce stomach acid when antacids and H2 blockers arent providing the necessary relief. They expose the fetus to some level of risk, though it is considered minimal.5 PPIs include:
- Aciphex
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What To Drink For Heartburn During Pregnancy
If youre wondering what to drink when expecting a baby and plagued by indigestion, there are many beverages that you can sip on throughout the day for relief.
- Milk. The alkaline composition of milk including cows milk and nut milks can provide immediate relief from heartburn. Just stay away from milk that is high in fat, as fatty foods can cause even worse heartburn.
- Coconut water. Coconut water is very high in electrolytes which promote pH balance and help to neutralize stomach acid.
- Herbal tea. Ginger, fennel, peppermint, and marshmallow root are all heartburn remedies that can be found in tea form. Sip on herbal tea in between meals to prevent or relieve heartburn.
- Water. Thats right good old water. Sip on it throughout the day to make sure that you stay hydrated so that your digestive system can work as efficiently as possible without any hitches in the form of indigestion.
Avoid beverages that may exacerbate symptoms include caffeinated drinks such as coffee or green, white and black tea, carbonated drinks, and acidic drinks such as orange juice.
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Immediate Relief For Heartburn During Pregnancy
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Cheap Way to Stop in the stomach.
Heartburn home remedies
How Can I Deal With Heartburn During Pregnancy
I’m in my second trimester. No matter what I eat, I get heartburn. Is this normal? If so, what can I do to feel better? Cari
Heartburn, despite its name, has nothing to do with the heart. It’s a burning feeling in the throat and chest when the stomach’s contents move back up into the esophagus .
Heartburn is common during pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones can make the valve at the entrance to the stomach relax so that it doesn’t close as it should. This lets acidic stomach contents move up into the esophagus, a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux , or acid reflux. It can get worse later in pregnancy when the growing uterus presses up on the stomach.
To help ease heartburn pain:
- Skip foods and drinks that can make it worse, such as citrus spicy, fatty foods caffeine and carbonated drinks.
- Eat several small meals throughout the day.
- Take your time when eating.
- Drink liquids between not during meals.
- Avoid eating or drinking for 3 hours before bedtime.
- Resist the urge to lie down after meals.
- Raise your head when you sleep.
- Talk to your doctor about medicines that are safe to take for heartburn during pregnancy.
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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.
Stay Positive And Enjoy The Experience
Staying positive and stress-free helps a lot while dealing with bad acid reflux at 38 weeks of pregnancy. The solution to heartburn is probably in your kitchen. Making certain dietary and lifestyle modifications and home remedies work for most healthy pregnant women. If any of these remedies do not work for you, try another.
The most important part is, you are growing a little miracle in your body, and trust me, they are worth the discomfort. However, if heartburn symptoms persist, seek medical attention.
Did you have bad acid reflux at 38 weeks of pregnancy? What worked for you to reduce the episode of acid reflux? Leave your comments below.
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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.
