Antacids During Pregnancy: Is It Safe?
November 12, 2009 at 12:00 PM by Cafe MicheleZ - Comments (12)
Photo from TUMS
Hello heartburn. You are such a biatch!
I honestly don't know how my stomach has any space at all, but I certainly find the room to eat. My twins are pushing up against everything -- they press on my lungs, dance on my bladder, and pounce on my tummy. Lots of breathing, peeing, and heartburn issues.
Heartburn, acid reflux, burning -- whatever you want to call it -- is inevitable. And lately I get it in the middle of the night and in the morning.
My sister told me she slept with TUMS next to her bed when she was pregnant. Roll over and eat when needed.
But is it safe to take antacids during pregnancy?
The short answer is yes. But many doctors caution to only take what's recommended on the box...and not to go overboard. It's still medicine, not candy (even though some taste really yummy).
Antacids can also be binding, particularly if they contain alumnium, meaning they can make you constipated. Lots of moms-to-be already have some issues going to the bathroom, so avoid the brands with aluminum and stick with the ones that contain calcium instead.
And while you are reading labels, stay away from any antacid with sodium bicarbonate. This may make you retain water. Trust me, I'm retaining a lot just because I'm in my third trimester with twins and it's not fun.
So calcium antacids are fine as long as you don't take more than what the box recommends.
I also sleep with extra pillows so my head in more of an incline, slightly propped up, to help ease my acid reflux as much as possible. Of course, it's easier said than done -- I move around a lot at night.
And I'm sure you all heard the wives tale that says if you have heartburn, your baby will be born with lots of hair. My sister's daughter was born without any hair and she had "the flux" (what we call it) really bad. So that squashes that.
(This is general mom advice and experience, but definitely check with your own health professional before taking any supplements or OTC or prescription drugs while pregnant.)
Are you experiencing heartburn? What do you do to get relief?
Related posts:
Heartburn Relief During Pregnancy
Is It Common to Have Heartburn at 13 Weeks?
FILED UNDER: is it safe
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I drank milk and it helpe for ME! I know it does not for some people. I did just learn from my neighbor because I have suffered from heartburn ever since I was pregnant with my daughter (she is almost 3), aloe is great for heartburn. It makes mine feel so much better. She says that antacids can cause all kinds of other things and I don't remember what, I will have to ask her. But the doctor told me that the antacids can cause your heartburn to get worse because you can get an infection from it.
science_spot, I can only speak for TUMS since I have them and there are no bicarbonates in them. Other than that, check the label before you buy.
Peajewel...you are right...too much antacids can be bad. Good to talk to doctor.
Though I'm not sure of the validity, a friend was told too any can calcify the placenta.
She took papaya enzymes instead which are healthier and perfectly safe.
I remember chowing on Tums even during labor. It took me 3 days to notice I hadn't had one after DS was born!
OH! And the hair thing is NOT an old wives tale!
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/318037/pregnant_mothers_with_heartburn_can.html?cat=25
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118622129/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
Michele, I don't know if you drink aloe while pregnant but her is a link to the aloe I buy. I drink it now for heartburn and it seems to work better than anything else i have tried.
http://www.marketamerica.com/corporate/product-2232/ultimate-aloe-juice.htm#
They actually have an entire line of products that are great. I am just starting to use them and so is my Mom. They even have a prenatal vitamin that is in Isotonix form.
http://www.marketamerica.com/corporate/product-10106/isotonix-prenatal-multivitamin.htm
Oh and RanaAurora is right....papaya enzymes work well too if it is just plain heartburn but I had to move to something else because I also have an ulcer which is causing some of the pain as well. I personally think the papaya enzymes are yummy.
I've never heard of drinkiing aloe! Thanks for the link.!
Thanks both -- all -- of you.
I have tried papaya and forgot all about them! I'm going to look into the aloe too and stop into the health food store to get some of both.
Thank you! All I ever ate was Tums and I didn't remember seeing bicarbonate in there.
Check out some of today's most popular Journals:
Which ones don't have bicarb?
science_spot Nov. 12, 2009 at 12:33 PM