During my first pregnancy I had terrible heart burn. I ate TUMS like candy; even though it never took the heartburn all the way away . One of the first things I said after my daughter was born was “I don’t have anymore heartburn!” 5 years later I experienced extreme heartburn, low and behold, I was pregnant. 5 years after that, I had the same first symptom… HEARTBURN.
Over 80% of pregnant women report heartburn. Many over the counter antacids like TUMS may help ease persistent heartburn. However,many women become low in iron (anemic) during pregnancy and are prescribed iron supplements. Antacids may reduce iron absorption. Antacids can reduce absorption of iron from supplements by 30% to 40%. Not only do these antacids prevent iron absorption, some of them also contain lead.
What can you do to prevent or treat heartburn while pregnant?
- Eating Right: Do not skip any meals, try to eat 3 small meals per day with snacks in between. Eat slowly. Keep eating light two hours before bedtime. Try to avoid too much dairy, citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, breath fresheners, soft drinks, and mint herbal teas. Foods such as cheerios or plain popcorn can soak up extra stomach acid.
- Tea: Gentian root tea can soothe the esophagus before a meal. Slippery Elm and meadowsweet tea have been shown to relieve some heartburn discomfort after it has already set in.
- Papaya Enzymes: Papaya Enzyme chewable tablets have been shown to relieve pain associated with heartburn.
- Licorice DGL: (not the candy kind, deglycyrrhizinated licorice, tablet or powder form)
Studies have shown DGL to outperform many acid-blocking drugs. Tablets or powder form are generally used 20 minutes prior to meals. - AbsorbAid: AbsorbAid is made from digestive enzymes. The capsules are taken both during and after meals. This product helps the body digest food and also helps the body absorb more nutrients.
