When you’re pregnant, medication for relief of your heartburn can feel like a minefield. You may be wondering, “Can I take Tums while pregnant?”—and if so, how much? It’s important to understand the risks and benefits associated with each medication you take during pregnancy and to discuss any medication use with your doctor. This blog post will provide an overview of Tums and its use during pregnancy. We will discuss the dosage and potential risks associated with taking the medication. Knowing the potential risks can help you make an informed decision about whether or not to take Tums to treat your heartburn while pregnant.
Stay hydrated with the right fluids at the right time
Drinking water throughout the day is critical during pregnancy. However, if you have heartburn, limit the amount of liquids you consume with food and save the water for in between meals.
Additionally, you should stay away from acidic drinks like citrus juices and soda, especially cola drinks.
Smaller, more frequent meals can help prevent heartburn. It also helps to take your time while eating.
Pay attention to what you eat
Avoid spicy, greasy, acidic, and flatulent-producing foods. When you’re not pregnant, you might not have any issues, but when you are, they can be very uncomfortable.
Some common offenders include:
Can you take Tums while pregnant?
Yes, Tums are safe to take during pregnancy. In fact, these chewable antacids made of calcium carbonate—sometimes simply referred to as “calcium” on the label—should probably be your first line of defense. They may be all you need to treat heartburn because they are quick, portable, and effective. Additionally, they taste good and serve as a calcium supplement.
When used occasionally at the recommended dosage, antacids containing magnesium hydroxide or magnesium oxide, such as Maalox, Mylanta, and Rolaids, are probably safe. But due to the fact that they also contain aluminum hydroxide, they are not the best choice while pregnant. Aluminum can be constipating and, in large doses, toxic.
Keep in mind that swallowing any liquid, even the liquid required to wash down a tablet, will trigger your stomach to produce the digestive juices that it does naturally, including the acid that you are attempting to reduce. Therefore, when experiencing heartburn, it is best to swallow or chew tablets with as little liquid as possible.
All of these antacid medications relieve pain by neutralizing the stomach acid that is already present. Because they are already dissolved, chewable and liquid antacids work much more quickly than tablets. You can try different things to see which you like best and what works the best for you.
Ask your doctor or midwife whether you can take additional or different medications if you are regularly taking the prescribed dosage but still experiencing heartburn.
FAQ
Can you take 3 Tums when pregnant?
Can too many Tums hurt the baby during pregnancy?
How many 750 mg Tums can a pregnant woman take?