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.
More from The 411:
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.
What Does Gerd Feel Like During Pregnancy
GERD can wear many hats and feel different in each individual, says Dr. Garza. Some may experience an intense burning sensation in the chest and throat, while for others it is a sharp pain just below and slightly to the left of the sternum. Some will have a sour taste or frequent regurgitation or burping. Often, symptoms are worse after meals, and this may make eating challenging, notes Dr. Ross.
Because the symptoms can be wide-ranging and different for each person, it is important to know what symptoms are concerning. Rarely, GERD can cause severe esophageal irritation that leads to pain or difficulty with swallowing, or even bleeding. Passing dark or black stool would be concerning for the development of bleeding and should prompt an immediate discussion with your physician/obstetrician, says Dr. Garza. He also cautions that GERD does not typically cause shortness of breath, pain with breathing, nor chest pain with exertion. Any of these symptoms could be signs of a more worrisome complication of pregnancy, especially the development of a blood clot, and would indicate that medical advice is necessary.
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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.
How To Deal With Heartburn During Pregnancy
Inside: How to Deal With Heartburn During Pregnancy. Collaborative post.
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it does come with some discomfort. One thing that can crop up, often in the second and third trimesters, is heartburn. Heartburn is unpleasant at the best of times, but it can be especially irritating when youre trying to grow a baby and stay as healthy as possible.
Heartburn is caused when acid manages to get through the valve between the stomach and the esophagus, which irritates it and causes a burning sensation. When youre pregnant, increased progesterone causes this valve to relax.
As pregnancy progresses, your growing child takes up more space and puts more pressure on the intestines and stomach, potentially pushing acid into the oesophagus.
But dont worry, there are some ways to relieve your symptoms and hopefully even prevent them.
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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.
Prevention Of Heartburn During Pregnancy
Some tips that may help you cut down on heartburn during your pregnancy include:
- 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.
- Donât smoke tobacco or drink alcohol, which can make heartburn symptoms worse.
- Drink less while eating. Drinking large amounts while eating may increase the risk of acid reflux and heartburn.
- Don’t lie down directly after eating.
- Keep the head of your bed higher than the foot of your bed. Or place pillows under your shoulders to help prevent stomach acids from rising into your esophagus.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing. Tight-fitting clothes can increase the pressure on your stomach and abdomen.
- Try to avoid constipation.
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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.
Natural Relief For Heartburn
Although it’s not life-threatening, heartburn can be uncomfortable. It can get in the way of your day-to-day activities especially if you’re pregnant and experiencing other pregnancy symptoms. But don’t fret, as there are some things you can do to get relief from heartburn.
Since the stomach acids go back up the food pipe when you get heartburn, it’s a good idea to elevate your upper body when you sleep. Try using a wedge pillow or simply prop up some pillows under your head and shoulders to keep the stomach acids from going back up.
You can also work on your eating habits. Eat small frequent meals instead of full large meals thrice a day, and watch out for fatty foods that may take longer to digest. It’s also a good idea to stay away from oily and fried foods.
In addition, make sure to not eat three hours before you lie down and go to bed.
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What Makes It Better
For most women, things that help reduce acid production or prevent reux are helpful in avoiding the discomfort of heartburn. Here are tips that may help:
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Avoid classic spicy foods, as well as those with lots of fat or grease. Many people recommend avoiding citrus and chocolate, as well.
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Eat multiple, small meals spread throughout the day, much like grazing, instead of three big meals.
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Try elevating the head of your bed by several inches, and wait a while after eating before going to bed or lying down.
Some women find that its better to drink fluids between meals, rather than with a meal. This can increase the amount of contents in the stomach.
If your symptoms do not improve after the above recommended diet and lifestyle changes are in place, talk with your healthcare provider about over-the-counter medicines. Antacids are available as chewable tablets and liquids. They work by coating the lining of the esophagus and stomach and neutralizing stomach acid. Heartburn medicines called H2-blockers work by reducing the amount of acid made by your stomach. Although most of these are considered safe in pregnancy, as with all medicines, these should be avoided in the first trimester.
How To Relieve Heartburn During Pregnancy
Heartburn often appears during the second trimester, and it can get worse as your belly grows. Learn more about what causes heartburn during pregnancy, with five expert tips for relieving the pain.
Like the name implies, heartburn is a burning sensation in your chest but it has nothing to do with your heart. It happens when the lower esophageal sphincter , a muscle responsible for keeping stomach contents in their place, begins to relax or leak. This allows stomach acids to flow upward into the esophagus, explains Suzanne Trupin, M.D., CEO of Women’s Health Practice of Champaign, Ill.
Unfortunately, “most women will experience some acid reflux , especially in the second half of their pregnancy,” says Shari Brasner, M.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City. The uncomfortable sensation tends to get worse as your baby grows.
Heartburn usually appears after meals or at bedtime, and it can range from uncomfortable to agonizing. Understanding the causes and prevention strategies can provide relief to expectant moms. Heres what you need to know about heartburn in pregnancy.
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Learn What Causes Heartburn For Youthen Avoid It
Fat, caffeine, chocolate, citruspregnant women with heartburn have been advised to avoid all of the above at one time or another. But what causes reflux in one woman might not be a trigger for another.
Rather than tell his pregnant patients to avoid a specific food, Dr. Richter says he advises them to stay away from foods that specifically aggravate them. Everybody’s different, Dr. Richter says. Some pregnant women can chow down on spicy Mexican food or a plate of spaghetti and meatballs with no ill effects.
Who Needs Heartburn Relievers
Who needs to get their hands on the best heartburn relief? If you are pregnant and have been suffering from heartburn from time to time, taking a heartburn relief medication can soothe the pain away. This is because the medicine will help prevent the gas from building up in your stomach then cause the acid to come up all the way back to your esophagus. You wont have to worry about that burning sensation slowly moving up your throat because of this medication.
You can also use the best heartburn relief if you are prone to indigestion when eating. There are some individuals who tend to experience indigestion during meal times so taking medications for it can help relieve the build-up of gas and acid in the stomach. It is important that the medication is taken prior to eating so that it can do its work in helping keep the stomach and digestive system working efficiently.
If you have acid reflux, the best heartburn relief can be a huge help in keeping gas, bloat, and acid from forming too much in your stomach to the point that it will go back up your throat. Acid reflux can be painful at times especially after eating or when lying down but with a medication that provides relief, you will be able to go on normally without having to worry about a distended belly because of the gas present and the acid that gradually slides back up the throat.
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What Are The Precautions Of Heartburn Relievers For Pregnant Women
Are there any precautions to consider when it comes to the best heartburn relief? Well, heartburn relievers should be taken with caution because they can cause side effects when taken regularly. If you are pregnant, you will need to talk with your doctor first to ensure that there wont be any side effects to you and your unborn child. Keep in mind that not all heartburn relievers work the same especially when you are pregnant, so you need to be cautious as much as possible.
Another precaution that you need to consider when looking for the best heartburn relief is the ingredients included. Some products may contain inactive ingredients that can trigger side effects, so it is best that you do your research first as much as possible. This way, you will be able to avoid untoward incidents when taking heartburn medication while you are pregnant. Dont forget that there are some side effects that may crop up while taking this medication. This includes diarrhea, nausea, even headache too. If your heartburn doesnt occur all the time, you might want to stick to safer alternatives such as natural remedies as they will be able to protect you and your baby better than synthesized medications.
Causes Of Heartburn During Pregnancy
Heartburn in pregnancy may happen because of changing hormone levels, which can affect the muscles of the digestive tract and how your body handles different foods.
Pregnancy hormones can cause your lower esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing stomach acids to flow back up into your esophagus. Also, as your baby grows, your enlarged uterus can crowd the abdomen, pushing stomach acids upward. Although it’s rare, gallstones can also cause heartburn during pregnancy.
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Get Zantac 75 When Theres No Pepcid
If you run out of Pepcid and you cant get anymore, Zantac 75 is an option. This is another heartburn medication that works on neutralizing the acid in the stomach. It doesnt work on blocking the acid production in the way that the above medication does.
You can get the Zantac 75 without a prescription in both liquid and tablet form. It can be effective for on the spot heartburn relief, but its not the best option. It is one of those for the longer term benefits.
Zantac 75 can also help to relief stomach pains and coughs. It also helps to limit the production of ulcers in the stomach by keeping the acid levels neutral.
Heartburn Symptoms And Pre
If your heartburn symptoms dont go away with medicine, its important to see your doctor as it may be a sign of something more serious, such as pre-eclampsia. A pregnant woman with pre-eclampsia usually has high blood pressure and problems with her kidneys. Pre-eclampsia could also seriously affect a womans liver, blood and brain. Any pregnant woman can experience pre-eclampsia â almost 1 in 20 Australian women will develop it.
Because pre-eclampsia is dangerous for both you and your baby, you should let your doctor know if your heartburn medicine is not working. This is especially important if youre also feeling very unwell or you have:
- sudden swelling of your hands, feet or face
- a headache that doesnt go away with simple painkillers
- problems with your eyesight such as blurring or seeing flashing lights or dots
- a strong pain below your ribs
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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
How To Get Rid Of Heartburn During Pregnancy
Heartburn sucks, yes indeed. But just because it happens, doesnt mean that you have to simply grin and bear it.
Here are some tips on how to stop heartburn in pregnancy.
- Watch what youre noshing. You might notice that you get particularly bad heartburn after eating certain foods. For some thats spicy stuff, for others deep-fried, greasy meals. Whichever it is for you, consider avoiding.
- Keep meals small and slow. If youre full to the brim after every meal, youre more likely to feel the effects of heartburn. If you eat very quickly, thatll worsen symptoms too. Keep it chill and try not to gulp down drinks either.
- Stay upright after meals. Lolling around after dinner might make heartburn symptoms more likely. Maybe go for a little stroll or do some tidying instead. That means no late-night dinners either.
- Find some home remedies for heartburn during pregnancy. Chewing gum can help neutralize acid in your throat while almonds, ginger, milk, and papaya are said to help, too.
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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.