I am 22 wks. pregnant and started experiencing very frequent daily heartburn. From past pregnancies I'm sure

Question

it is only gonna get worse. I can't find any up to date info. on Prilosec or Zantac use during pregnancy. All of the articles are from 98-01 and say these meds may not be safe. I was wondering if anyone had any different theories. I hate to take meds even when not preg., but I don't think I can suffer again like I have in the past. Basically, what I'm asking is are either of these medications safe for a pregnant woman to take and which is least harmful? My Dr. offered me a script of either which I declined. I'm guessing they can't be that bad if she offered. Also a list of side effects for me or the baby would be nice if you have them available. TIA.

Answer 1

I had the SAME problem. My midwife had me take vitamin B6 and it worked great and immediatly!!!!!! I stayed away from prescriptions...I just didn't like the idea of them while I was pregnant.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I have three kids the third I had heartburn so bad on my last one I couldn't sleep at night. I am the same way I don't like taking any meds pregnant or not but I was also offered a prescription and took it. I can't remember what it was but I know it was a low dose to take daily. I still got heartburn but not nearly as bad and didn't seem to be any side effects from them. In my opinion Doctors would not suggest anything that may be harmful to your baby.

Answer 4

Heartburn during pregnancy is common complaint with expectant females. Most pregnant women experience heartburn at some point during the nine months they are pregnant. Some women are affected more severely by heartburn during pregnancy than others. There are some things you can do to lessen this problem and the frequency in which it occurs.

Heartburn during pregnancy poses the most problems within the first and last trimesters. During the third trimester, the baby puts more pressure on your stomach and increases the severity and frequency of heartburn.

One way you can help prevent heartburn during pregnancy is to eat smaller meals at more frequent intervals. This will help your stomach in digesting the foods you eat before heartburn sets in. Be sure to eat slowly and chew your food completely.

You will also help reduce the problem of heartburn during pregnancy if you sleep with your head and the rest of your body elevated. Giving the top half of your body some elevation will force gravity to keep the acid that causes heartburn inside your stomach. Use a pillow under your back and head will also help keep you comfortable during pregnancy and allow you to get a good night's sleep. Avoid going to bed immediately after eating. Your food needs time to digest before you lie down. In general, going to bed 3-4 hours after you eat will help reduce the symptoms of heartburn.

Pressure on your stomach can cause heartburn during pregnancy . Good posture will go a long way in reducing your discomfort. Be sure to stand up straight and sit straight in your chair. Bending at the knees rather than at the waist will reduce pressure upon your ever-growing belly. Wearing tight clothing can also put unnecessary pressure on your stomach. Wear loose, comfortable clothing during pregnancy.

The best way to avoid heartburn during pregnancy is to avoid the foods that are most likely to cause heartburn. Sodas, juice, and coffee are among the drinks that should be avoided. In addition, sip water throughout the day rather than drink large amounts during meals.

Large amounts of water will increase heartburn during pregnancy. Some of the foods that tend to cause heartburn during pregnancy are citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, fried foods, mustard, vinegar, and fats. These types of foods should be significantly reduced if not completely eliminated during pregnancy.

Here are some natural ways thChewing Gum - This is a simple, yet effective solution to reduce acid and get heartburn relief. Saliva actually reduces stomach acid by up to 50%... and chewing gum helps to stimulate the salivary glands which produce saliva. As acid and gases are reduced in your stomach, the pressure against the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle is reduced, resulting in lessened heartburn pain. If you suddenly experience an episode of heartburn and don't have any gum available, try filling your mouth with saliva and swallowing three to four times as an alternative.

Apple Cider Vinegar - Try taking 1 to 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar 3 to 4 times a week. As horrible as it may taste, it seems to work almost instantly. This should also help your natural stomach acids perform their job properly in digesting your food.

Ginger Ale, 7-up, Sprite - Sometimes drinking some ginger ale or other type of pop can help with immediate symptoms. The carbonate in the drink will make you belch, releasing gas and pressure on your Lower Esophageal Sphincter. Ginger is also known to settle upset stomachs.

Apples, Apple Juice, Carrots, and Carrot Juice - The juice found in apples and carrots contain both malic and tartaric acid. These seem to help neutralize stomach acids and also reduce the pressure in your stomach.

Baking Soda - Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of warm water and drink immediately. This causes burping, much like the ginger ale, and relieves pressure on the LES and stomach gasses. This remedy seems to help keep heartburn pain at bay for several days. However, some people have reported that it has raised their blood pressure levels, so if you have high blood pressure, it would be advisable not to use this method.

at can help you to eliminate painful heartburn: