Heartburn

[Climbergirl]

I am 22 weeks and starting to experience heartburn (a little earlier than last time and I was eating Tums like candy). Last time I cut out all tomatoes too.

I have papaya enzyme and it is helping a little bit. But, I don't think this will combat what is yet to come.

Any suggestions?

[nova22]

Careful with the Tums, the calcium in it and Rolaids will inhibit your body's ability to absorb iron, which is especially problematic if you are anemic.

I use papaya enzyme after almost every meal. Crystallized ginger seems to help a lot as well - I was taking it for morning sickness but it made the heartburn pain ease up as well. Peppermint tea or pregnancy tea helps. Try to find what foods trigger it most of all (you know...all the yummy things like chocolate) and avoid them, particularly near bedtime. Don't lay down too soon after eating.

[PoppyMama]

Everything and nothing gives me terrible heartburn that keeps me up and miserable. I take Pepcid complete now but I took another once a day pill last time...can't remember what.

[my kidlets and me]

Raw natural almonds have given me a lot of relief - chew one or two at a time, and chew very thoroughly.

[MyFullHouse]

I've been struck with intense heartburn with each and every pregnancy, and it starts earlier and earlier. This time, it's been since around 15 weeks or so!

For me, there are no triggers. I could drink a glass of water and be upright the whole time, then BAM! Natural remedies have never really helped me.

This time around, my mw has recommended Zantac 75 twice a day. It's been about 80% effective, which has greatly reduced my dependency on Tums.

I'm usually a tough-it-out kinda gal, but it's so bad for me that I truly worry about permanent damage to my innards, considering how long it lasts (and how many babies I've had!)

[lillymonster]

Probiotics that are for the gut, some enyzmes too, although I would go with the more gentle enzymes as the papaya bothers me more, which might be the case with you too. I use lower protease enzymes.

Natures Way Optima has probiotics that are also for the stomach, that helps with gastric ulcers, so it may help, it did help me a bit.

I have used zantac, but sometimes that doesn't even cut it. I think for me it's a lot of sugar, but I am not sure.

[new york momma]

I've had constant acid in my chest/throat/mouth since about the second trimester. Tums did nothing for me but Pepcid helps. Still have the acid, but it doesn't burn.

[zeynepercan]

half cup milk really helps.. you can try kefir too.