Heartburn is one of the most common discomforts of pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters. While you've probably heard that it's best to avoid over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals during pregnancy, there are some that most obstetricians will allow you to use. Calcium antacids are among the generally accepted medications.
Heartburn
The reason so many women experience heartburn during pregnancy is hormone-related. The same hormones that help to loosen your pelvis for delivery and slow your digestive tract to allow you to extract all the nutrients from your food also loosen up the esophageal sphincter, which normally keeps stomach acid out of the esophagus. As a result of the floppy sphincter, explain Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel in their book "What To Expect When You're Expecting," acid reflux and heartburn occur more readily.
Treating Heartburn
Both prescription and non-prescription medications are available for treating heartburn. Among the simplest remedies are calcium antacids. These generally consist of calcium carbonate, a salt that neutralizes acid. Some also contain magnesium hydroxide, a weak base. Bases are the chemical opposites of acids, and react with them. In addition to treating heartburn symptoms, calcium antacids offer another benefit as well: They provide supplementary calcium, a valuable mineral during pregnancy.
Safety
Formally, there aren't studies that demonstrate the safety of calcium antacids during pregnancy, explains Drugs.com. As such, the FDA can't formally state that they're safe for use, though many women have used them during pregnancy without trouble. Most doctors will allow you to take calcium antacids, explain Murkoff and Mazel, but it's always best to ask your obstetrician whether there are non-pharmaceutical alternatives before turning to any medication, prescription or over-the-counter.
Other Options
If your heartburn is severe, calcium antacids are probably insufficient to help you. In such a case, your doctor may allow you to use more powerful pharmaceuticals that reduce or prevent stomach acid formation. On the other hand, if you want to avoid medications entirely, you can try treating antacid with sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda. When you mix 1/2 tsp. with 4 ounces of water, baking soda makes an antacid solution that can help relieve heartburn. Always consult your doctor before using any remedy to treat heartburn.
References
- "What to Expect When You're Expecting"; Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel; 2008
- Drugs.com: Calcium Antacid
- Arm & Hammer: Antacid
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