What Can I Take For Heartburn While Pregnant

When Can I Expect The Heartburn To End During Pregnancy

Unfortunately, heartburn is a symptom you’re likely to experience throughout your entire pregnancy if you have it at all.

In fact, even if you escaped indigestion early on in your pregnancy, there’s a good chance you’ll have a surge starting around the second or third trimesters, when your uterus takes over your abdominal cavity and forces your stomach upwards.

Fortunately, the burn should clear up as soon as you give birth.

Is It Okay To Take Nexium While Pregnant

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration has categorized Nexium in the pregnancy category B. This category indicates Nexium is generally considered safe to use while pregnant. However, there have been some reports of fetal re-absorption and lethality in the embryo in animal studies. In these studies, animals were given between five to 56 times more Nexium than the average human dose.

Before using Nexium for acid reflux, schedule a meeting with your doctor to determine if using this medication while pregnant is safe for you and the growing fetus.

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Ginger Can Also Be Taken For Heartburn While Pregnancy

A few ladies feel that ginger candies or ginger tea can help in relaxing a painful tummy. Opt for lukewarm ginger tea as hot tea can worsen the acid reflux signs. Ginger can likewise counteract vomiting and nausea, that occurs with a heartburn issue in pregnancy.

As it is said, prevention is better than cure. Thus, you must adopt these lifestyle methods to secure yourself from heartburn during the pregnancy.

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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

Talk To Your Doctor About Alginates

Antacids are the most commonly bought heartburn medicine/ medications, but you can get some that also have alginates. These medications help to line the esophagus to eliminate the pain and discomfort that you feel, giving you immediate relief.

At the same time, they create a barrier over the top of your stomach acid. This foamy barrier stops the acid from getting through, preventing the reason for the heartburn in the first place. Its a long-term option.

If you suffer from bad acid reflux during the night, you will want to discuss these as an option during pregnancy with your doctor. They can give the lining throughout the night to help you sleep and then you stick to immediate or other options during the day.

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Slippery Elm Bark And Marshmallow Root

Some mamas find relief from mucilaginous herbs like slippery elm bark and marshmallow root. Due to their gummy consistency, they coat the intestines and soothe digestion. Be sure to use under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner and away from food and supplementsthey can interfere with nutrient absorption.

Heres What Other Mamas Have To Say About Relieving Heartburn During Pregnancy Naturally

I asked the moms on my Facebook page about their go-to natural remedies for pregnancy heartburn, and here is a sample of their responses.

• Apple cider vinegar, pickle juice, digestive enzymes! Katie Keepman
• An apple in the morning and right before bed. Elsa Silva
• It may sound weird, but I would either drink a little pickle juice, or eat a spoonful of peanut butter and within about 5-10 minutes was gone. Jessica Fields
• Baking soda in a little bit of water helped! Was it gross? A little, but still more enjoyable than heartburn! Erin M. Strand
• Maybe not the healthiest, but I always had ginger snaps next to my bed. I ate one or two at night for the heartburn and another one or two in the morning for the nausea. Sarah Gilroy
• I didnt treat my heartburn with any natural remedies, but did learn that bad heartburn can often present itself as nausea/morning sickness! Women who experiences bad nausea/MS should consider your remedies as well! Renee Jillian
• So far, wearing hazelwood helps some. Not perfect, but helps a little. Susan Miller
• I had heard to eat a few green olives. So when a pregnant friend was needing relief, I suggested her to try itand it works!!! Shawna Beaubien
• Liquid slippery elm works instantly! Ashly Burke-Goike

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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. You’re 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

Heartburn During Pregnancy Prevention

Heartburn during pregnancy is bothersome, especially in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. The following measures can help you to get relief from heartburn during pregnancy.

• Foods that increases the likelihood of heartburn are tomatoes, onion, garlic, coffee, citrus food, fatty meal, etc. You need to avoid these foods during pregnancy to avoid heartburn.

• Instead of taking 2 or 3 major meals, eat small meals throughout the day, so it will give better digestion and fullness of stomach will also be less. So chances of getting heartburn during pregnancy will be less.

• Avoid lying down after taking meals. It is better not to lie down for at least three hours after taking meals.

• Avoid taking snack late at night.

• Avoid tight fitting clothes as it gives pressure to the stomach, so stomach content squeeze out more easily into the food pipe causing heartburn.

• Elevating head of bed is very helpful when heartburn occurs especially at night.

• Avoid taking caffeinated drink and alcohol because these cause relaxation of LES. So chances of stomach acid back up into the food pipe increases, as a result heartburn also increases.

• Avoid smoking during pregnancy. We all know smoking has many detrimental effects on health, it also causes heartburn during pregnancy because smoking causes relaxation of the muscular valve lower esophageal sphincter at the junction where esophagus meets the stomach. So stomach contents can go back to the food pipe from the stomach causing heartburn.

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Why Take Probiotics When Expecting

While probiotics are often touted as miracle supplements for people with digestive disorders or chronic GI distress, Dr. Chang-Jackson says their most common use in pregnancy is actually for maintaining the vaginal flora, not for curing stomach ills.

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, as well as constipation, are due to hormonal changes,â she explains. âSo probiotics might not have as much of an effect .

However, pregnant women are more susceptible to vaginal and yeast infections than non-pregnant women. Taking probiotics can help preserve the balance of the vaginal microbiome, may prevent the occurrence of infections, and can reduce the need for prescription medication to treat vaginal infections.

Patients dont usually know much about them, but we do tell ones with recurring vaginal infections that they can add probiotics to their routine, Dr. Chang-Jackson adds.

Top Medications To Avoid

Before we get into the exact medications to try, lets focus on the ones that you need to avoid. Read the labels to find out if the medications contain:

• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Bicarbonate soda/baking soda

These three are effective heartburn medicine for relieving heartburn, but they can put your unborn baby and your health at risk. They think the blood and can make you a higher risk of miscarriage. Bicarbonate soda is high in sodium, which will cause water retention, raise your bodys sodium levels, and cause other health problems.

Reading the labels will also help you look out for not safe for pregnancy, do not use during pregnancy, or suitable for pregnancy labels.

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Foods That Help With Heartburn During Pregnancy

There are certain foods that double as natural remedies for heartburn during pregnancy. Some of these home remedies for heartburn during pregnancy may work well for certain women but not for others. Find out what works best for you among these foods that help with heartburn during pregnancy.

• It is recommended to eat multiple small low-acid meals per day, and to avoid lying down during an hour of eating.
• Melons and bananas are good as they have low acid content.
• Fermented foods.

Foods that contain probiotics, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and tempeh, are incredibly beneficial for digestion. They are full of enzymes and they help to promote the secretion of digestive juices. This keeps things running smoothly and prevents problems like indigestion and heartburn.

• Green vegetables such as broccoli, beans.
• Bread, especially whole grain.

Opt For A Cold Ice Cream

Another popular medication prescribed is ice cream. This has a similar cooling effect as milk, because of the temperature. Its easy to swallow, and youll be able to get the immediate, temporary relief.

But isnt ice cream full of sugar? Well, yes and no. You could make your own at home from mashed banana, milk, and cream. That will help to keep the calories to a minimum, and youll get more nutrients.

Try to avoid chocolate flavored ice cream. If buying it from the store, plain vanilla or banana are the best options.

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Does Water Help With Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

Water can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to affecting GERD symptoms in pregnancy. Dr. Johnson notes that some women find that drinking water after a meal helps. It is thought that it may reduce the level of acidity in the stomach. However, Dr. Ross suggests saving the water for non-meal times, as drinking large amounts while eating may fill up the stomach and increase the risk of acid reflux and heartburn.

Because stomach volume is reduced due to the growing uterus, consuming too much water can provoke GERD symptoms. Any extra water you drink can overwhelm the lower esophageal sphincter, causing uncomfortable symptoms. In other words, drink water in moderation, preferably after or between meals, to avoid provoking symptoms.

Natural Remedies For Pregnancy Heartburn

Diet and lifestyle modifications are the primarytreatments for GERD during pregnancy. Try the following steps to manage acid reflux during pregnancy:

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When To Call The Doctor

If heartburn symptoms are associated withheadaches or swelling of the hands and face, talk with your provider beforetrying these remedies, especially if the symptoms are new and present in thelast trimester of pregnancy.

Heartburn-like paincan be a symptom of preeclampsia, or dangerously high bloodpressure during pregnancy. Preeclampsia puts mothers and babies at risk, andfurther evaluation may be necessary.

As mentioned,heartburn is very common in pregnancy. If your symptoms dont resolve with dietchanges or medication, let your provider know so you can find an effectivetreatment.

What Can I Eat That Wont Give Me Heartburn While Pregnant

The good news is you can eat a lot of things that wont cause heartburn symptoms while pregnant. The important question really is, says Dr. Johnson, what should you not eat if you have GERD? There is actually a relatively short list of foods to avoid, including alcohol, chocolate, citrus juices, tomato-based products, peppermint, coffee, and fatty foods.

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Manage Acid Production With Prilosec

This one is debated among doctors, but some do prescribe Prilosec for those who are struggling to manage their heartburn. Instead of balancing out and neutralizing the acid, this medication helps to keep the stomach acid to a minimum. It blocks some of the production.

There are downsides to this. Since there will be less stomach acid, it will be harder for the food to break down in the body. This is already difficult when it comes to pregnancy since there is less space in your abdominal cavity.

You dont get the immediate relief from heartburn with this. Its a long-term option, and TUMS is still recommended for the more immediate effects.

Why Treat Heartburn And Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

Heartburn and acid reflux are traditionally considered innocuous because they are common in pregnancy and are usually self-limiting. However, a recent study suggests that GERD is associated with an increase in the severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy , which can have serious negative effects on a womans quality of life. In a prospective cohort study conducted by the Motherisk Program, 194 pregnant women with NVP and heartburn or acid reflux were compared with 188 pregnant women with NVP who did not have heartburn or acid reflux. The 2 groups were assessed for severity of NVP with the pregnancy-unique quantification of emesis and nausea score, which is a validated scoring tool based on frequency and duration of nausea, vomiting, and retching in the past 24 hours, with a high score indicating more severe NVP. Quality of life was measured by the well-being score, with 0 being the worst and 10 being the best. Forty-eight percent of women in the control group had severe NVP according to the PUQE, compared with 75% in the group with heartburn and acid reflux. The mean well-being score in the control group was significantly higher than that in the group with heartburn and acid reflux .

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Look Out For Medication With Magnesium Oxide

The heartburn medicines that include magnesium oxide are good for pregnancy. They will increase the amount of magnesium in your system to help limit the production of stomach acid and reduce the flare up of your heartburn.

Look out for those in tablet form and use as little water as possible. When you swallow any type of liquid, you will start the acid production in your stomach. By keeping the water to as little as possible, the tablets can just get to work on your system.

Antacids with magnesium in it will neutralize the acidic effects. It doesnt affect any other part of your body, so your baby isnt going to be affected.

Talk To Your Doctor About Heartburn Medications

This includes over-the-counter ones some are safe to take during pregnancy.

Antacids help neutralize the acid in your stomach and quell that burning sensation. The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health says OTC antacids containing calcium carbonate are safe to use.

If you havent been able to quiet your heartburn with lifestyle changes, your doctor may suggest heartburn drugs like Tagamet and Prilosec, which are generally considered safe during pregnancy. While these drugs are available OTC, you might receive a prescription for a stronger dose if your doctor thinks its warranted.

When youre pregnant, you have to think about the safety of everything you put into and on your body. Some heartburn medications that might be OK for your nonpregnant sister but not for you include:

• Antacids containing sodium bicarbonate, which can increase swelling.
• Antacids containing aspirin, which can be toxic to your baby. Aspirin use during pregnancy has been associated with pregnancy loss, heart defects, and bleeding on the brain in premature infants.
• Antacids containing magnesium trisilicate, which havent been proven safe to use in pregnancy.

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