Pregnancy And Heartburn: Causes And Relief Techniques

Keep Your Upper Body Elevated When Sleeping

Elevating your head and chest when you sleep can help curb acid reflux. Put a wedge-shaped pillow underneath your head and chest to slant your body upwards, which allows stomach acid to stay down. Or snuggle up to a pregnancy pillow as you lie on your left side, which requires stomach acids to travel uphill to get to the esophagus. For extra lift, consider putting blocks or books underneath the legs at the head of your bed.

Take An Antacid

If adopting all the above tips do not help, consider an over-the-counter antacid to tackle heartburn head-on. Acids containing calcium or magnesium are generally considered safe for consumption during pregnancy. In fact, the calcium in most antacids such as Tums can benefit both mom and baby. However, avoid taking calcium-based antacids at the same time as your prenatal vitamins since too much calcium can block iron absorption, which is a much-needed mineral during pregnancy. Avoid taking antacids that contain aluminum as an ingredient as these can cause constipation, swelling and be toxic in large doses. In addition to aluminum, look out for aspirin and baking soda in heartburn remedies, which should be avoided during pregnancy. Make sure to let your doctor know if you are taking an excessive amount of antacids, as there may be more effective medications for your heartburn symptoms.