What to Know About Heartburn and Pregnancy

By J.M. Rock, published Nov 15, 2007
Published Content: 54  Total Views: 41,762  Favorited By: 17 CPs
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If you've ever been pregnant or known someone who has, then you known that besides the wonderful joy that a baby can bring it can also wreak havoc on one's body. While pregnant not only will you suffer from headaches and body aches, swollen ankles and a little bit of incontinence you're also likely to suffer from one of the worst disorders imaginable...heartburn!

Most people know that when you are pregnant your choices are limited to what types of medicine that you can take. Here are a few ideas to help remedy your heartburn woes.

Liquid Maalox

While there are several types of antacids on the market from time to time the medical community deems them inappropriate for pregnant women to take. For example in 1998 when I was pregnant with my daughter I was told not to take Rolaids. But in 2005 when I was pregnant with my son I was told that Rolaids were just fine and dandy for me to use to battle my heartburn.

Liquid Maalox is the one heartburn product that seemed to work the best when I was pregnant. Liquid Maalox is fast acting (you can actually feel the medicine coast your throat and stomach) with a cooling sensation that is a nice change from the burning sensation your stomach acid has left in your chest and throat.

While Maalox comes in a variety of flavors such as cherry or mint, no matter which flavor you choose Maalox is going to taste like a combination of milk and chalk. The taste is certainly easy to get by and the instant relief is well worth it. It should be noted that while Maalox offers and instant respite from pain the effects are not long lasting.

If Maalox doesn't work you can visit your doctor to request s prescription for an acid suppressant like Tagament or Pepcid. While you can buy these products over the counter at such stores as Wal-Mart and Target if pregnant you should talk to your doctor about these medicines first.

Remain Vertical

Takeaways
  • Maalox can be taken for heartburn while pregnant.
  • The avoidance of chocolate can help stave off heartburn.
  • Standing up may be your best defense against heartburn.
Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 11 of 11
 
 
It sounds simple, but drinking milk is a pregnancy-friendly was to fight heartburn.

Posted on 03/02/2008 at 11:03:14 AM

 
I had it AWFUL at the end of my pregnancy, and my doc told me to sleep on my left side with my head elevated. It was the only thing besides prescription meds that helped. The good news is that it vanishes almost immediately after childbirth.

Posted on 12/14/2007 at 8:12:19 PM

 
I practically owned stock in Maalox when I was pregnant!

Posted on 12/09/2007 at 8:12:53 PM

 
hm, never knew this

Posted on 12/07/2007 at 10:12:00 AM

 
Good info! This seems to vary not just by woman, but by pregnancy! Bad stuff!

Posted on 12/04/2007 at 6:12:00 PM

 
Great info! I lived on Tums while pregnant. I published an article here on a study that shows if you have heartburn that your baby is likely to have more hair. :-)

Posted on 12/04/2007 at 10:12:00 AM

 
Great information :)

Posted on 12/03/2007 at 8:12:00 PM

 
Good Article!

Posted on 12/03/2007 at 7:12:00 PM

 
Good information

Posted on 12/03/2007 at 4:12:00 PM

 
I'll have to keep this in mind when I get pregnant...hopefully this next year. ;-)

Posted on 11/19/2007 at 9:11:00 AM

 
It is so hard to stay vertical...lol But it really does help! Great info!

Posted on 11/15/2007 at 6:11:00 PM

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