Pregnancy Heartburn: Are Medications Safe?

By Susan Male-Smith

You’re pregnant, and that darn (oops, darling) baby is getting big. So big, in fact, that your bundle of joy is pressing on your stomach, making heartburn a daily occurrence. You’re not alone. More than half of pregnant women experience heartburn, often for the first time. Where to get relief?

Fortunately, most heartburn medications are considered safe for mom and baby when taken as directed by a physician, says Dr. Meredith Shur, an obstetrician-gynecologist and clinical instructor of obstetrics-gynecology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. But as with all medications during pregnancy, doctors agree that it’s best to try lifestyle adjustments first. In some cases, simple changes in your daily routine may be all you need to quell queasy reflux. What do obstetricians find works best for moms-to-be?

Settle for smaller portions, but eat more often, so you get all the calories and nutrients you and your baby need.

Resist gobbling your food. Chew slowly and deliberately to limit the amount of food entering your stomach at one time.

Pay attention to all that goes in your mouth. You’re likely avoiding alcohol and perhaps coffee already, but steer clear of other foods that may contribute to heartburn. While not all heartburn triggers affect all people, common culprits include fried or spicy foods, peppermint, chocolate, citrus and tomato-based products.

Chew gum. It promotes the flow of saliva, which neutralizes acid in the esophagus and stomach.

Stay upright after eating. Sit -- don’t recline -- to watch TV, and wait two to three hours before heading to bed. While this is good advice for any heartburn sufferer, it’s especially important when you have a baby pressing on your stomach and esophagus when you lie down.

Keep weight gain in the suggested range. Extra pounds means extra pressure on your tummy.

Stick with loose maternity wear. Adding more pressure to your already squashed internal organs is the last thing you need.

Prop up the head of your bed with six-inch blocks so gravity works with you, not against you to keep acid down. Or use a foam wedge under your pillow.

Lie on your left side. This position allows the stomach to empty more easily, which is especially important when you’re carrying extra weight -- like a baby.

If you’ve tried the above suggestions and are still experiencing heartburn, talk to your doctor about medication. “I’ve found that in addition to lifestyle changes, most [pregnant] women with heartburn do need to take antacids [e.g., calcium carbonate] to control symptoms,” says Shur. If antacids aren’t enough, your doctor may suggest something stronger, such as an H2 receptor blocker (e.g., ranitidine) or a proton pump inhibitor (e.g., omeprasole). The good news: Once your baby is born, heartburn will likely become a thing of the past.

Susan Male-Smith is a registered dietitian and freelance nutrition and health writer. She has written for Family Circle, Redbook, Child and American Health, and she is a former editor of the Environmental Nutrition newsletter and co-author of Foods for Better Health.

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