It actually almost makes me laugh that my baby calendar discusses heartburn and reflux issues now. They ARE common third trimester issues, and with Ryan I remember that's when it really hit. Awesome Buttons is a different story though! I've had heartburn and reflux since a couple weeks into the pregnancy and its never fine away. I also have found that nausea has recently resurfaced. That might not be such a big deal if I didn't just recently get last the nausea just a few weeks ago ;)
I asked my OB at my first appointment about antacids - specifically how many I can take a day. I don't think a day has passed I haven't maxed out my Tums allowance! Regardless, it has been manageable and we're nearing the end. Ill be excited to finally stop the Tums ... Although the fruity ones actually are quite tasty!
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Here's what Babycenter said to me today:
Handling heartburn
Many pregnant women get heartburn, sometimes referred to as acid indigestion or acid reflux. This condition is generally harmless, but it can be very uncomfortable. Fortunately, most cases can be safely treated with over-the-counter remedies, along with simple diet and lifestyle changes. For those who need them, some prescription heartburn medications are also considered safe to take during pregnancy.
Here are some guidelines to help you understand which heartburn medicines are appropriate to use during pregnancy. (As with any medication, get the okay from your healthcare provider first.)
Your first line of defense should probably be chewable antacids made from calcium carbonate (sometimes just called "calcium" on the label). Fast, portable, and effective, they may be all you need. Some of them even taste pretty good.
Antacids containing magnesium hydroxide or magnesium oxide are also a good choice during pregnancy. These come in tablet or liquid form. 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 tablets with as little liquid as possible when you're having trouble with heartburn.
All of these antacid medicines work by neutralizing the acid that's already in your stomach causing you pain. Chewable and liquid antacids act much more quickly than tablets because they're already dissolved. You can experiment to see which type works most effectively for you.
Avoid antacids that list aluminum (such as aluminum hydroxide or aluminum carbonate) as an ingredient. Aluminum can be constipating and, in large doses, toxic. So even though these products are probably safe when used occasionally at the recommended dosage, they're not your best choice when pregnant.
Remedies containing aspirin (such as Alka-Seltzer) should also be avoided during pregnancy. Aspirin may be listed on a label as salicylate or acetylsalicylic acid.
Remember that even the chewable antacids that come in yummy fruit flavors are medicine. If you find yourself popping more of them than recommended, you may want to ask your caregiver about using something more effective and longer lasting, usually called an "acid reducer." Instead of neutralizing your stomach acid like antacids do, acid reducers actually stop your stomach from producing most of the acid it normally would.
Some acid reducers are available over-the-counter and others require a prescription. All are currently considered safe to take during pregnancy. But new research is happening all the time, so be sure to ask your healthcare provider to go over the potential risks and benefits of taking any of these drugs.
Sent from the My Pregnancy Today app
Here are some guidelines to help you understand which heartburn medicines are appropriate to use during pregnancy. (As with any medication, get the okay from your healthcare provider first.)
Your first line of defense should probably be chewable antacids made from calcium carbonate (sometimes just called "calcium" on the label). Fast, portable, and effective, they may be all you need. Some of them even taste pretty good.
Antacids containing magnesium hydroxide or magnesium oxide are also a good choice during pregnancy. These come in tablet or liquid form. 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 tablets with as little liquid as possible when you're having trouble with heartburn.
All of these antacid medicines work by neutralizing the acid that's already in your stomach causing you pain. Chewable and liquid antacids act much more quickly than tablets because they're already dissolved. You can experiment to see which type works most effectively for you.
Avoid antacids that list aluminum (such as aluminum hydroxide or aluminum carbonate) as an ingredient. Aluminum can be constipating and, in large doses, toxic. So even though these products are probably safe when used occasionally at the recommended dosage, they're not your best choice when pregnant.
Remedies containing aspirin (such as Alka-Seltzer) should also be avoided during pregnancy. Aspirin may be listed on a label as salicylate or acetylsalicylic acid.
Remember that even the chewable antacids that come in yummy fruit flavors are medicine. If you find yourself popping more of them than recommended, you may want to ask your caregiver about using something more effective and longer lasting, usually called an "acid reducer." Instead of neutralizing your stomach acid like antacids do, acid reducers actually stop your stomach from producing most of the acid it normally would.
Some acid reducers are available over-the-counter and others require a prescription. All are currently considered safe to take during pregnancy. But new research is happening all the time, so be sure to ask your healthcare provider to go over the potential risks and benefits of taking any of these drugs.
Sent from the My Pregnancy Today app
