Heartburn Help

Updated on November 03, 2007
A.L. asks from North Richland Hills, TX
43 answers

Well, I am begining my last 5 weeks of my third pregnancy and the heartburn is killing me. Last night was the second occation that it was so bad that it kept me from being able to lay down and sleeping. Needless to say, I was up until after 3 am because it was so painful and I took endless tums to no avail. I have always had heartburn toward the end of my pregnancies, however, this is the first time that it has been this bad. Anyway, does anyone have any heartburn remedies, aside from eatting small amounts (it really doesn't matter with me- I have heartburn regardless of how little or how much or how bland I eat- water even causes me problems), or how vertical I am- it is only slightly better being elevated or standing than it is laying, and that is safe for baby. I am limited as to what I can take, but thought maybe someone out there had some suggestions.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Wow!! There are a lot of good suggestions here, and it looks like there are plenty of things that I can try. Thanks Mamas for all of your help here!!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.C.

answers from Dallas on

I took Pepcid AC with my dr.'s approval. It didn't matter what I ate or when, I had terrible reflux. The Pepcid wasn't a miracle, but it helped. Good Luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Dallas on

Zantac.. my doctor told me to take TWO not recommended on the box..it is the prescription dosage and it works.. Everytime you eat right before you eat take two Zantac 150.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Dallas on

I am in my last few weeks of pregnancy and for the past few months I have stopped eating at 4:30pm so that I can sleep at night. I also take RX from my ob/gyn. I know some people need to eat later that 4:30pm but if I want a good night sleep that is the only thing that works for me.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.R.

answers from Beaumont on

Celery. I'm not a fan of the taste or texture, but it works.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Dallas on

My heartburn was so bad during my whole pregnancy. During my 3rd trimester, my doctor prescribed Nexium....it was a lifesaver.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.C.

answers from Dallas on

IF you like milk, it helps with heartburn alot, I drank a TON of it while I was pregnant. Calcium helps to neutralize acid. Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from San Antonio on

I always drank a large glass of milk before I went to bed and it provided some relief. If the heartburn returned, I drank more milk. Hope you find some relief and good luck with the new baby.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Houston on

Baking soda has instruction on the side of the box that helped me deal with heartburn. It says dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of accurately measured soda to 1/2 a glass *4 ounces* of water and stir it until dissolved then drink it. Not to use more than 7 of the 1/2 teaspoon doses per day.

At times, I couldn't drink it so I drank a cup of milk. It worked for me, but then again, in milk, there's the lactic acid. My doctor said that it's wierd that milk would help because of that reason.

Good luck to you. I hope you find some relief somehow.
Be careful and always ask your doctor!

Knowledge is power!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Amarillo on

It could be gallstones. I had the same problem, but except without the pain. I asked the nurse after I delivered, since the heartburn didn't go away. I still have an occasional gallstone attack. I haven't had it taken out since I am nursing and don't want some of the problems associated with it being removed. Nothing helped with the heartburn, not even elevating myself.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from San Antonio on

When I was pregnant w/my 2nd son I went nutso over pineapple and ended up burning my esophagus. That is not heartburn, but I think the remedy may help you. I drank Maalox. I think there was a cherry flavor that wasn't to horribly bad tasting. It coated everything and soothed it for a while. Maybe it will soothe your heartburn long enough for you to get some shut-eye! Good luck, I hope the last 5 weeks before the baby comes is not absolutely miserable!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.W.

answers from Amarillo on

A.-

I had horrible heartburn when pregnant with my son. One thing that helped me was to eat ice cream. Tums helped as well, but ice cream seemed to help the best. It can get to be an expensive remedy, though, since I probably wnet through 2 half gallons a week. Hope this was helpful!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I had HORRIBLE heart burn with my first (she is 2 years on Nov. 27th) and slightly again with my second (now 5 mos.). Both times it was just like yours, no matter what I did, it was there. Both times my OB said Prilosec OTC was fine to take while preg. and she suggested that over tums. Though tums are safe, they are not very effective (as you have found). Also, dairy can help soothe the acid-try drinking a glass of milk at the end of meals but before you eat too much to help the acid on top of the prilosec. And, as always, if none of the above help, ask your OB for help/suggestions. You may also try your local healthfood and supplement store for herbal or natural remedies but (as if it wasn't obvious) make sure they know you are pregnant and that you are the one that will be taking them while pregnant.

Best of luck!
T.

And the old wives tale about heart burn meaning the baby will have a lot of hair in my case was total bull! My DD was born totally bald with just a semi-long tuft of hair at that back of her hairline/base of neck. She looked like she had a shaved head with a mullet! LOL :)

R.B.

answers from Dallas on

Hi- I would, of course, check with your doctor first, but there are enzyme pills that you can purchase at a Health Food store that really help. If your doctor says it is okay, then most health food stores would be able to help you know which brand is best for your money.
Hope it helps,
R. B.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.H.

answers from Dallas on

I had the same problem and ended up sleeping in our easy chair. The amazing thing is that the first thing I noticed after I gave birth was that my heartburn and nausea were gone--it was like an instant cure. I didn't find anything that eased it, but found that some foods made it worse like dairy products. Good luck and hang in there.

M.M.

answers from Houston on

My first pregnancy it was so bad, I would wake up in the middle of the night coughing and throwing up... so I practicaally slept (in a sitting position of course) on the bathroom floor. I took plenty of Peptobismal (with Dr.'s approval) and it barely helped. (Water was a killer for me too!)

With this pregnancy, I still have one month and a week to go and it hasn't gotten very bad... but I will chew on 2 fruit flavored Tums right before bed, and it helps a lot. Also, eating a piece of bread helps me too for some reason, and this may sound crazy, but small sips of Root Beer or Sprite helps when I eat it with the bread.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from Dallas on

Sorry you are in so much pain. The very best, fastest remedy I know is Arm & Hammer Baking Soda & Water. The directions are on the side of the box. I swear it works in less than a minute after swallowing. I was having a terrible time, spending lots of dollars on over the counter meds & one night my Smart A-- Husband, suggested it, even adding the directions are right there on the box! This is one time I was glad he was right! I also discovered that sometimes not eating will bring it on really bad, because there is nothing in your stomach to absorb the acid, we all produce. Hope this works for you and best of luck on your new arrival.
R. M

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.G.

answers from Austin on

My obgyn prescribed protonix when I was in that situation. I read all of the info and it said they had not done tons of testing on preggos so I gave it to my mom who has reflux. She said it is a miracle drug.
So I resorted to taking a lot of maalox liquid and tablets and stayed away from tomato sauce, oj and anything slightly acidy.
Hopefully the baby will drop and all of your problems will be solved. (At least the heartburn problems that is)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.L.

answers from Dallas on

ugh i feel your pain... i took Tums before i went to bed and in the mornings after breakfast... seemed to help out a lot for me... i had the heartburn the last month i was prego too... pluse had leg cramps b/c the baby took all my calcium... so i had two reasons to take the tums!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Beaumont on

Hi A.,
Have you tried laying on your left side. It helps with me recurring stomach problems and in your last trimester it's important to keep your Blood Pressure down, believe it or not this works. They sell Aloe pills in the vitamin secton, be sure to watch the mgs, once I grabbed 5000 talk about a cleansing, but Aloe does help.
On the more homeopathic note also, there is a DR out there who suggests 1 tbsp of vinegar for like 2 wks, I've done this it worked for me. The vinegar not all bad. If you can eat plain boiled okra or maybe drink some of the juice of cooked okra, My aunt uses it, and swears by it.

Best of luck.
I have a natural healing book at home, if you want I can look it up later and give you more homeopathic solutions

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from Dallas on

I had heartburn from day 1 of my pregnancy and my doctor recommended i take zantac. I took it my whole pregnancy. It was a great relief. You might want to ask your doctor if its ok for you to take.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.S.

answers from Austin on

This is kinda funny but try chewing some trident the cinnanmon kind. It relieved all my heartburn during my pregnancy!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from San Antonio on

I've heard that drinking a cup of warm water is helpful. Sorry you're dealing with this!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.G.

answers from San Antonio on

i had that problem and my dr. said it was ok to take heartburn meds. good luck-get as much good sleep now-you'll need it!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.I.

answers from Dallas on

My ob/gyn let me take anything for heartburn. Yums, etc. I found Zantac to work well for prevention. I personally like tums for immediate relief. Their smoothie ones didn't taste as chalky.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.C.

answers from Corpus Christi on

You're not going to believe this, but my husband is the one who discovered that Luden's Cherry Throat Drops (lozenges) help heartburn! Instantly! They really work and taste like candy! They really helped me. :-)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Dallas on

I can SO sympathize with you. I had heartburn with both of my pregnancies. My first pregnancy, my doctor prescribed a pill that I took once/day in the a.m. and I NEVER delt with heartburn. That was in CA and the doctor I've since learned was very liberal. Here in TX with my pregnancy with my twins, I took Prilosec OTC. It isn't immediate gratification, but once again, you take one pill in the a.m. and after 2-3 days, no more heartburn. I'm not the type to take all sorts of meds, but my heartburn was SO bad it was unbearable. Ask your doctor what he/she recommends, don't take my word for it, but I do know that most heartburn meds are OK during pregnancy.
Best of luck and congratulations!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Austin on

I know there are a lot of responses, but just wanted to add that I too think it could be gallstones, and gall bladder attacks, especially if the heartburn doesn't go away after taking tums. I had really bad "heartburn" with my second and then it just got worse after she was born, and then it got so bad, I had to go to the ER to find out I had several gallstones, and one was trying to pass and long story short I had it out and two other pregnancies later I didn't have any heartburn....

C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.C.

answers from Phoenix on

I had the same problem, and Rolaids worked really well for me.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from El Paso on

Hi,

I just had the same problem with my last pregnancy. I had many sleepless nights proped up in bed. However, my doctor was able to help me. She put me on perscription zantac. It is safe for you and the baby. Do not buy it over the counter make sure you consult your physician first. I was able to sleep lying down, and eat comfortably. Maybe this can work for you.

-R.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from Austin on

Hi A.,
I'm not sure if you are looking for help that is not pharaceutical or not, but some things that can help include papaya enzymes (can get at Whole Foods or other places), celery (which I would never have thought to try on my own) and always be sure to go for a little walk after eating. Hopefully the last five weeks will go smoother for you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.F.

answers from Austin on

Ask your MD if you can take Gaviscon chewables. If ok, it works great - when you chew it up and drink water, it expands over the bottom of the esophagus to keep the food from popping back up your throat.

Regardless, chewing sugarless gum helps alot. Orbit and Trident have some really mild mint flavors that will help a bit with nauseua as well.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.A.

answers from Dallas on

Try Zantac. My doctor prescribed that for me during my 3rd trimester when my heartburn was horrible. It really helped.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Dallas on

I had heartburn similar to that with my first pregnancy. I am currently in my last 6 weeks of pregnancy and have been on Nexium and had little to no heartburn this time around. It is considered safe for use in pregnancy. It is a category B, which is the same as tylenol. I have no other remedies as water gave me heartburn as well the first time around. I couldn't have survived without my bag of TUMS. Best of luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.G.

answers from Dallas on

I'm so sorry you're hurting! I completely understand. I don't have a solution...just a funny. I had horrible heartburn also, tried everything and still no help. I was close enough to my due date that I was really hoping to go into labor at any minute. Someone told me to eat spicy food, that would help induce labor. I ate the spiciest Chili Relleno (I don't normally like spicy food, so hubby was in shock). I didn't go into labor, but it was the ONLY night I didn't have heartburn!!!! I'm not saying you should try it, I just thought it might make you laugh! :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from San Antonio on

Hello A. L.,

I have just the help you need, aloe juice, in 4 different flavors. Aloe (basic), Aloe Bits n' Peaches, Aloe Berry Nectar & Aloe Forever Freedom (for joint function).

As long as your in the US, I can have this shipped to you in 48hrs.

Please let me know A..

Thank you,

D. P., LMT, CPT
###-###-####
email: ____@____.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.M.

answers from Austin on

hello, well i've been there done that.... old wives tale is that the more heartburn, the more hair the baby will have.... i know my oldest had a head full... he's the one i had it with.

check with your doctor first.. but i did this, 2 teaspoons of baking soda in either normal temperature water or ice cold water... mix it in and drink it as fast as you can tolerate it. it will not taste good at all, but within a couple of minutes i was burping and getting rid of the heartburn. if your doctor is ok with this, dont too it too often, it's like rolaids on steroids.

good luck
if this remedy doesnt work for you i hope you find one that will.

T.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.G.

answers from Dallas on

I never had heartburn in my life until I was pregnant... and it was HORRIBLE! My doctor told me to take Prilosec OTC... everyday - beginning in my 2nd trimester. The package suggests taking it for 2 weeks at a time, but my doctor said it was fine to take daily. It worked!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.F.

answers from Dallas on

teaspoon of mustard :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Odessa on

Are you able to take tums? I was told that it was safe.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.L.

answers from Dallas on

I had it really bad through my pregnancies as well and suffered needlessly because I was afraid to take something. My OB told me to take Pepcid AC and not to worry. I took it and wish I had sooner! It made such a huge difference and I was able to sleep so much better. I don't know what your doctor would suggest, but Pepcid worked wonders for me and my kiddos are perfectly healthy :O)

Hope that helps,
C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.A.

answers from Dallas on

A.,

I had horrible heart burn throughout my pregnancy, My doctor told me the only thing I could use was Zantac...it worked wonders. I used to be under prescription, now you can buy it over the counter. I worked full time as well, I don't know what I would have done without it! Good luck and Congrats!!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.

answers from Dallas on

Hi A.,

I took Mylanta(liquid)and it worked immediately! In fact, I still use it whenever I get heartburn.

Good luck

S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.L.

answers from Dallas on

Liquid Mylanta (Brand name!) was the best! It worked great everytime!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches