What Tums Can I Take While Pregnant

December 25, 2021

Pregnancy Itself Ups Your Risk Of Heartburn

24 Weeks (6 months!!) Pregnant Belly Shot

Normally, there are certain factors like your weight, whether you smoke, and your genes that can increase your likelihood of heartburn. But when youre pregnant, its the pregnancy itself that makes you more susceptible.

There are two main factors, says Renee Wellenstein, DO, who is a double board-certified OB-GYN. One thats hormonal and one thats physical.

Heartburn is caused by acid reflux, when food and digestive fluids, which contain acids, back up in your esophagus and create that uncomfortable burn. That backup can happen when youre pregnant because you have higher-than-usual progesterone levels, which can one slow digestion and two relax the muscle, called the esophageal sphincter, that separates your esophagus and stomach.

Combined, these two factors create the perfect storm for heartburn because the slow digestion can lead to more backup in your esophagus and the relaxed muscle makes it easier for acid to creep through.

The other factor is the growing uterus that physically pushes up on the stomach as it grows, says Wellenstein.

As a result, heartburn does tend to get worse throughout pregnancy. Fortunately, all those changes to your body that cause heartburn during pregnancy quickly disappear after you give birth. So, at least thats something you can look forward to leaving behind at the hospital when you bring your newborn home.

Recommended Reading: When To Take Heartburn Medicine

How Can I Control Heartburn During Pregnancy

Prevention and Treatment of Heartburn During Pregnancy

Eat several small meals each day instead of three large ones.

Eat slowly.

Avoid fried, spicy, or rich foods or any foods that seem to cause relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and increase the risk of heartburn.

Drink less while eating.

Also Check: How Far Along Are You Pregnancy Calculator

Can You Take Tums While Pregnant How Many Is Safe

Pregnancy and heartburn are quite the iconic pairing. For this reason, Tums can be an expecting mothers best friend, helping to settle the stomach and stop reflux symptoms.

When dosed according to the manufacturers instructions, Tums are both safe and effective when pregnant. Tums are an effective way to take control over pregnancy-related heartburn and reflux.

As a medication, Tums can interact with certain nutrients in the body. Read on to learn how Tums can affect nutrient absorption, how to get around this, and even what to do if you are still feeling heartburn have maxed out on Tums for the day.

Covered in this Article:

What Can I Take for Pregnancy Heartburn BESIDES Tums?

You May Like: Vagisil Safe While Pregnant

What Can I Take For Pregnancy Heartburn Besides Tums

Women often wonder if there is anything they can do to prevent or minimize the chances of the unpleasant experience of heartburn during pregnancy. Luckily for expecting mothers, there are a number of small lifestyle modifications that can help.

Remain upright after eating: Sitting up or standing lets gravity do some of the heavy lifting to keep reflux at bay. If you need to lay down, try propping your torso and head up with some pillows.
Eat smaller meals: Smaller meals digest more quickly, lowering the likelihood of heartburn and reflux.
Limit spicy and acidic foods: While this might be a tough sell for anyone with pregnancy cravings for acidic foods like citrus, tomatoes, or chocolate, it should come as no surprise that acidic foods can aggravate the stomach.

Limit greasy/fried foods: Similar to acidic foods, greasy and heavily fried foods can also cause GI upset. The fat content in these foods can also slow digestion, which can cause reflux symptoms.

Tums also isnt the only brand on the market. Other popular brands that offer calcium carbonate antacids include Mylanta, Alka-Seltzer, and even store/generic brands. Pepto-Bismol and Maalox are also antacids, though use different active ingredients.

You might also be interested in reading:

Question: How Many Tums Can I Eat While Pregnant

Can You Take Tums During Pregnancy For Heartburn and Nausea?

Kimberly Langdon, MD, OB/GYN says Tums works best when taken frequently on the order of every 4 hours because it neutralizes the acid rather than preventing it from being released. With that in mind, Langdon says expecting mothers can take a maximum of two tablets every 46 hours as needed for heartburn.17-Jul-2020

Ideal Dosage Of Tums During Pregnancy 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.

Recommended Reading: Donating Plasma While Breastfeeding

Beware Of Terat0genicity In The First Trimester

Yes, you can take tums when you are pregnant. But as much as possible, avoid taking it during your first trimester or the first three months of your pregnancy. Taking Tums during your first trimester might likely lead to a condition called teratogenicity. This is a condition where abnormalities are formed in the unborn baby while in the womb.

Is It Safe To Use Eno During Pregnancy

Is It Safe To Use Eno During Pregnancy Your diet and medicine are the essential part of your pregnancy, and the main reason for this is that the food you eat goes to your baby. If you eat something wrong or take medicine without your doctors permission, your baby may face the consequences.

You May Like: Home Remedies To Cure Heartburn

Read Also: Vagisil Wash During Pregnancy

For The Latest Videos Please Subscribe To Our Channel: Parenting Healthy Babies

Here are some things you need to be careful about, if you do take Tums when pregnant:

While talking to your doctor about taking Tums, make sure you get the dosage right. There is a good chance that the dosage you need to take now is different from the dosage you would have taken when not pregnant. Try to keep track of how many tablets you should take in a day, and do not exceed the dosage under any circumstance. Always consult your doctor for any change that you might want to make, for example, if youre feeling like the medicine isnt really working.

Now that you know these has a large amount of calcium in it, do not start thinking of it as a sort of calcium supplement, because it isnt. Upping the dosage of it during your pregnancy because your body requires more calcium will do more harm than good. Instead, focus on adding more calcium rich foods to your diet. If your body is still falling short on calcium, get your doctor to prescribe some calcium supplements.
Tums is a serious no-no for anyone with kidney problems. Even if you dont have any kidney problems but have been placed on high risk for chances of developing them, you must stay away from Tums. This is because the calcium present in Tums could lead to stones forming in your kidneys.
Tums could possibly lead to teratogenicity. If taken in the first trimester, it could potentially lead to a condition known as teratogenicity .

Additionally, Tums could also cause the following side effects during pregnancy:

Tums During Pregnancy: Things Pregnant Women Should Remember When Taking Tums

Pregnancy Tips : How to Avoid Heartburn While Pregnant

You should always stick to the prescribed dosage of Tums unless your doctor tells you differently, especially since Tums contains calcium. Although calcium is an essential element during pregnancy, too much of it could cause the following side effects in pregnant women:

Constipation

It could cause kidney stones
Irregular heartbeat
Other minerals, such as iron, could have trouble getting digested

Tums and thyroid medicines have a modest risk of interaction. Hence doctors recommend taking a 4 hours gap before consuming these tablets. If youre taking an iron supplement, wait at least 2 hours between taking the iron tablets and taking Tums.

Don’t Miss: Can I Use Vagisil Cream When Pregnant

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.

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.

Is It Safe To Take Antacids During Pregnancy

Natural Alternatives To Antacids

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.

Dont Miss: Vagisil Safe While Pregnant

Make Sure You Understand The Dosage

You must speak with your doctor and have clear indications of health and to take medicine correctly. Make sure you understand the exact dosage and if you do not want to risk any mistakes ask the doctor to write all the instructions on a piece of paper.

Learn these instructions by heart because they will help you always to take the right dose of Tums. Always follow the instructions and never take any action regarding the dosage of medicines.Dosage is essential and taking too much, or too little medicine is very harmful to your health.

Read Also: Cystic Acne While Pregnant

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.

Dont Use Tums If You Have Parathyroid Glad Disorder

The parathyroid glands are located behind the thyroid glands. If you have problems with these glands, you have a history of problems, or you are predisposed to having problems then you can run the risk of suffering from a severe imbalance of the calcium levels in your body.

Tums has a lot of calcium and taking this medicine while having problems with the parathyroid gland can irreparably worsen your health and that of your unborn baby.

Also Check: How To Identify Early Pregnancy

Recommended Reading: Giving Plasma While Pregnant

Do Not Take It As A Calcium Supplement

As what Ive discussed earlier, Tums has a fair amount of calcium that your fetus might need. You really need calcium for the fetuses bones to develop however, tums shouldnt be the supplement for calcium. To add more calcium in your body, dont just focus on taking Tums. Concentrate on adding foods which are rich in calcium in your daily diet. You can drink plenty of milk and eat foods with dairy products as ingredients.

Can I Take Over

What Supplement Do I Take While Pregnant??

Nonprescription heartburn relievers, such as Tums® or Maalox®, can help you feel better. But talk to your healthcare provider before taking antacids. They may contain high sodium levels, which can cause you to retain water. Some also have aluminum in them, which isnt safe to consume during pregnancy. Your provider can recommend an antacid thats safe during pregnancy.

Also Check: Can You Use Vagisil During Pregnancy

Natural Alternatives To Antacids

Natural measures could help treat and prevent indigestion and heartburn effectively. Here are some alternatives you may try:

Take probiotics in your diet. The good bacteria will outnumber the harmful bacteria in your gut and aid in digestion . Some of the probiotics are:

Skimmed milk, yogurt, and soft cheeses

Fermented vegetables including sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, and miso
Apple cider vinegar . Drizzle a few drops over a salad or mix a couple of drops in a glass of water.

Chamomile tea is known to have an anti-inflammatory effect on your stomach and reduce indigestion and heartburn.

You may eat raw ginger or brew a tea or add to stir-fries. Its antiemetic properties prevent nausea and vomiting, and also stop acids from getting back into the esophagus.

Slippery elm is also known to treat heartburn.

Other foods that offer relief include herbal teas and almonds .

In addition to using natural remedies, you may take some care while eating food:

Eat smaller portions at short intervals rather than large meals, and eat slowly.

Avoid foods such as tea, coffee, citrus, chocolate, spicy and fatty foods, that could cause indigestion.

Do not eat just before bedtime. Eat at least two hours before sleep for the food to digest.

Prop your head with extra pillows while lying down. Keeping your head and shoulders higher than your tummy will relieve heartburn.

Have you taken antacids while pregnant? Share your experience with us in the comment section below.

References:

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.

Don’t Miss: Lasik Eye Surgery And Pregnancy

How To Prevent Heartburn During Pregnancy

Altering your diet or adjusting your lifestyle should be the first thing you try when looking to manage your pregnancy heartburn. If you pay attention, you will probably notice certain foods are more likely to trigger heartburn. Here are some steps you can take:

Avoid food and beverages that cause you gastrointestinal distress For example caffeine chocolate acidic foods like citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, mustard, and vinegar processed meats mint products and spicy, highly seasoned, fried, or fatty foods.
Do not eat big meals. Instead, eat several small meals throughout the day. Take your time eating and chew thoroughly.
Avoid drinking large quantities of fluids during meals you dont want to distend your stomach.

Try chewing gum after eating Chewing gum stimulates your salivary glands, and saliva can help neutralize the acid.
Do not eat close to bedtime Give yourself two to three hours to digest your food before you lie down.

Keep in mind the majority of pregnant women experience heartburn during pregnancy, take TUMS for relief and go on to have a normal and healthy pregnancy. Another product similar to TUMS, called Tame the Flame, is provided by Healthy Mama.

Want to Know More?

Nightfoods Nighttime Ice Cream: the official ice cream of American Pregnancy Association and deliciously pregnancy friendly

Compiled using information from the following sources:

1. Mayo Clinic. .Mayo Clinic Guide to A Healthy Pregnancy. United States of America: Harper Collins.

Welcome To Prilosec 20 Mg Capsules

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily before a meal. This medication may also be given through a tube into the stomach . Dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, the dosage is also based on weight.

Prilosec OTC is a 14-day regimen that can be used up to three times a year, but not more often than every 4 months. If you need to use Prilosec OTC for more than the three indicated 14-day courses of treatment, consult with your doctor.

The active ingredient omeprazole works to fight heartburn differently from treatments like acid controllers/H2s or antacids. One of the best benefits of omeprazole is experiencing heartburn relief for 24 hours after only taking 1 pill a day.* But its not the only benefit. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor and PPIs are the strongest class of frequent heartburn medicines.

Also Check: Is It Safe To Take Tums While Pregnant

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.

Avoid Having Too Many Fluids During Meals

Drinking during a meal is normal, but it can cause problems. You must try not to drink too much liquid during the meal .

Ingesting too much fluid while eating will stretch your stomach and make you more prone to gas and fluttery. While eating, always try to drink water in small sips and never too quickly.

Also, try to avoid drinking and chewing together, first chew and swallow the food and then drink. Try to avoid drinking carbonated drinks during meals because they will swell the stomach, limiting the consumption of alcohol and try to drink water at room temperature, not too cold and not too hot.

Read Also: Can You Do Lasik While Pregnant