Heartburn, also called acid indigestion or acid reflux, is a common side effect of pregnancy.
It’s usually harmless, but it can be really uncomfortable. You’re in luck, though – most cases can be treated with over-the-counter remedies, along with some diet and lifestyle changes.
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“Acid reflux can be one of the most distressing symptoms of pregnancy,” says Layan Alhamani, M.D., a board-certified ob-gyn, maternal-fetal medicine specialist, and member of BabyCenter’s Medical Advisory Board. “Luckily, this is easily treatable in most instances.”
Many women get relief by eating small, frequent meals throughout the day and avoiding spicy, fatty, or acidic foods. You can also try wearing loose-fitting clothes to reduce pressure on your abdomen.
If you need extra help, some prescription and over-the-counter heartburn medications are safe to take during pregnancy.
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Here’s what to know about which heartburn medicines are appropriate to use during pregnancy. (And as with any medication, get the okay from your healthcare provider before taking these.)
Are Tums safe during pregnancy?
Tums are safe to take during pregnancy. In fact, your first line of defense should probably be these chewable antacids made from calcium carbonate (sometimes just called “calcium” on the label). Fast, portable, and effective, they may be all you need to handle heartburn. They even taste pretty good and double as a calcium supplement.
Bear in mind that swallowing any liquid, even the liquid you need to wash down a tablet, will cause your stomach to do what it does naturally: produce digestive juices – including acid, the very thing you’re trying to reduce. So it’s best to swallow or chew tablets with as little liquid as possible when you’re having trouble with heartburn.
Antacid medicines – including Tums – work by neutralizing the acid that’s already in your stomach and causing you pain. Chewable and liquid antacids act much more quickly than tablets because they’re already dissolved. You can experiment to see which you prefer and what works most effectively for you.
What’s the best Tums dosage to take while pregnant?
The dosage for pregnant women is the same as the recommended amount for any other healthy adult: two to three tablets as symptoms occur. However, the brand warns against taking more than five tablets in 24 hours.
If you’re regularly taking the recommended dosage and aren’t getting relief from heartburn, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you can take additional or different medications.
Other antacids during pregnancy
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These antacids are safe to use when you’re pregnant:
- Famotidine (Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Fluxid). Instead of neutralizing your stomach acid like antacids do, acid reducers actually stop your stomach from producing most of the acid it normally would. You can even supplement with Tums if you’re still uncomfortable.
- Acid reducer-antacid combinations (Pepcid Complete). Some acid-reducing medications are a combination of an acid reducer (such as famotidine) and an antacid (such as calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide), so they can provide immediate relief from the acid that’s already distressing you and reduce further acid production for up to 12 hours.
- Proton pump inhibitors (Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix, Nexium). PPIs work by blocking an enzyme that produces stomach acid. You can take these at any time, just be aware that they take 12 to 24 hours to work.
Some of these medicines are available over-the-counter, while others require a prescription. All are considered safe to take during pregnancy, even during the first trimester.
However, talk to your ob-gyn or midwife before taking medications for your heartburn. They can give you helpful tips, tricks, and safety guidance.
These antacids are best avoided during pregnancy:
- Magnesium hydroxide or magnesium oxide (Maalox, Mylanta, and Rolaids). These are not your best option while pregnant because they also contain aluminum hydroxide. Aluminum can be constipating and, in large doses, toxic.
- Aspirin (Alka-Seltzer). Avoid remedies that have aspirin in them. Aspirin may be listed on a label as salicylate or acetylsalicylic acid. (Note: Sometimes aspirin is recommended for pregnant women, so it’s not always unsafe, but in this instance it’s not a good idea.)
- Sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate (various supplement brands). Both of these are high in sodium, which causes water retention. And if you’re far enough along in your pregnancy to have gone into a panic trying to remove rings from your swollen fingers, you’ll understand why that’s the last thing you want right now.
Read more about medications during pregnancy.
Other ways to treat heartburn and acid reflux in pregnancy
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to treat heartburn and acid reflux during pregnancy. Besides Tums and other antacids, here are some methods to try at home:
- Eat small, frequent meals. Feed your stomach without overfilling it. Snacks and small meals will help you feel satisfied without that “blech” feeling of eating too much.
- Avoid foods that irritate your stomach. Spicy, fatty, and acidic foods are the main culprits when it comes to heartburn. Your body may be craving highly seasoned food, but it could also be what’s causing the most discomfort.
- Watch what you drink. Try cutting out caffeinated and carbonated drinks.
- Don’t eat right before bed. Even lying down on the couch right after eating may exacerbate symptoms of reflux. Try standing up or even going on a short walk after a meal.
- Raise the head of your bed. If you must lay down, gravity is your friend! Prop your upper body up on a pillow or use a wedge to make sure that acid stays where it belongs: in your stomach.
- Dress comfortably. No need to squeeze into those skinny jeans; wear loose clothes that don’t dig into your midsection.
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol. Tobacco and alcohol are big no-nos during pregnancy for a host of other reasons, but they can also contribute to heartburn and acid reflux.
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