Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Taming Heartburn

The information below is from Pregnancy Weekly. They send out information each week. On the topic what have you tried to avoid or cure heartburn? I guess that we are trying to be proactive before this happens. We do have some time before the third trimester.

Heartburn is a common complaint from pregnant women (especially during the third trimester) even those who have never experienced it before. Heartburn and indigestion are caused by your growing baby putting pressure on your intestines and stomach, causing the contents to be pushed back up into your esophagus. Here are some ways to quell the burn:
  • Eat small meals throughout the day instead of three larger meals
  • Eat slowly and chew well
  • Avoid lying down after eating
  • Wear loose clothing, especially around your waist, to reduce pressure on your stomach
  • Avoid spicy or fatty foods
  • Bake or broil your food instead of frying it
  • Avoid carbonated sodas and caffeinated beverages
If you do experience heartburn try the following natural remedies:
  • Eat yogurt or drink a glass of milk
  • Add a tablespoon of honey in a cup of warm milk

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

You can take pepcid (otc...over the counter) and zantac I believe. Maybe there's other stuff too, but I can't remember past those two.

Pepcid has really helped me with this little one.

Anonymous said...

From my safe meds list:
Carafate
Gaviscon
Maalox
Mylanta
Reglan
Riopan
Rolaids
Tums

Some are over the counter, others require a script from your doctor...

Anonymous said...

Dont Eat Any Spicy Foods Stay Away From Things With Alot Of Acid Oj Tomatoes... Milk Helps So Does Mint Gum Mint Tea Try It Hope It Helps

Anonymous said...

tums chewables...

gingerale


sometimes I found just eating a snack helped.

Anonymous said...

I found that Pepcid AC helped alot. I was diagnosed with acid reflux in January so I had been on a perscription acid blocker but I stopped using it when we started "trying". Within weeks of finding out I was pregnant I started having really horrible nausea which seemed to be mostly caused by the acid or at least was contributed to by it. Since Pecid was on the list of drugs that my doctor said were okay, I started taking that (I needed it especially because the nausea was so bad that both tums and mylanta would make me immediately throw up.). I found that the "regular strangth" wasn't quite enough to get me through the night, but the "extra strength" did wonders. After I had my doctor's appointment last week I was put on Reglan, which is supposed to make digestion more "normal" (heartburn early in a pregnancy is caused by the progesterone slowing the digestive system). It helped alot and now, if/when I get heartburn, I can handle regular tums again.

Anonymous said...

Tums only work for me when the actual chalky substance is sliding down my throat. After I swallow a few times, the HB is RIGHT back.

I've now moved on to Maximum Strength Pepcid AC tablets. I take them twice a day.

I had lasagna all weekend long and boy did I pay for it. It was awful. Sunday night, I burped myself awake with a nasty, acid, almost throw up burp. It was so gross.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, nothing helped me with mine... Nor Rennies...Not even Gaviscon Undecided
I suffered really bad but only in the last few weeks of pregnancy with both of my girls.
Just had to grin and bear it Lips sealed
Sorry not really helpful.
Crystallized ginger is said to be good, but I can`t stand ginger.

Anonymous said...

Yep, milk helped me too.

I read in my pregnancy book that you should avoid drinks with meals Huh Seriously, that really was a suggestion for avoiding heartburn - didn't help me - just made it worse.

Caffinated drinks should be avoided as caffeine can aggrevate heartburn.

I like the chewy rennee sweets but you need to eat a LOT of them lol!

Tums help but all the really good remedies aren't suitable during pregnancy Roll Eyes

I found fizzy water works a lot better than still water and I drink tons of that.

Also, I've got friends who swear by citrus fruit - sounds so silly as it's pretty acidic but seriously, if it's really bad it's worth a try huh? I've never been brave enough to have a big ol' glass of orange juice when my tummy's on fire though Tongue

Eating small but often is another recommendation - I do this anyway though and it doesn't seem to do a lot for me.

Cheese often helps though, in fact, my brother suffers from Hiatus (sp?) hernia (basically he's got permanent severe heartburn unless he takes his meds everyday) and he's been here before when he's forgotten to take his medication and cheese is what he always asks for to settle the burn.

That's all I can think of right now.

Google Search

Google

Technorati