Can You Take Tums While Pregnant?
Even if it’s never been an issue for you in the past, heartburn can rear its ugly head in pregnancy and leave you with a burning feeling in your chest that’s intense enough to make you wonder why you ever thought those spicy nachos were a good idea.
I dealt with intense heartburn across all five of my pregnancies; it would sometimes keep me up at night. Unfortunately, heartburn is rarely a one and done issue in pregnancy, so if you’re dealing with it, you might be looking for relief in the form of a common over-the-counter antacid. So can you take Tums while pregnant? And how many and how often can you pop one to quell the burn. Here, experts share everything to know about taking tums during pregnancy—plus, some alternatives to consider!.
- Tums is a common over-the-counter medication used to relieve heartburn and indigestion.
- It’s generally considered safe to take during pregnancy, but you’ll want to pay attention to dosage and frequency, as chronic usage can be unsafe
- Consider making small lifestyle changes to get to the root cause of heartburn and indigestion issues before turning to Tums.
Tums is a brand name for calcium carbonate. It’s a chewable, over-the-counter medication that provides fast relief by neutralizing stomach acid on contact, explains Michael B. Baldonieri, MD, an ob-gyn with University Hospitals in Ohio. It’s “typically well-tolerated,” adds Eran Bornstein, MD, vice chair of ob-gyn at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital.
While it’s always a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider before taking any medication during pregnancy, experts agree that you should be just fine occasionally taking Tums during pregnancy. Still, doctors may suggest making lifestyle tweaks before turning to meds to see if those help curb and prevent heartburn in the first place.
Tums “should be taken in moderation because too much over time may lead to kidney stones, provoke constipation and interfere with iron absorption,” says Denise Castellanos, CNM, a midwife in Laguna Hills, California. But the right dose depends on whether you’re taking Tums Regular Strength or Tums Extra Strength, she says.
In general, the dose should be based on the instructions on the package or what your doctor recommends, Bornstein adds. That usually means taking one to two tablets as needed and making sure to not have more than 7,500 milligrams of calcium carbonate a day. (Tums Regular Strength has 500 milligrams of calcium carbonate per tablet, while Tums Extra Strength contains 750 milligrams of calcium carbonate per tablet.)
How often can I take Tums while pregnant?
Experts agree that you should be fine to take Tums as directed. “Do not exceed 15 tablets in 24 hours,” says Wendy Wilcox, MD, chief women’s health officer at NYC Health + Hospitals.
The timing of your Tums consumption is important too, according to Castellanos. She suggests taking Tums 30 minutes before a meal. If you’re taking iron supplements, Castellanos also recommends spacing them out from your Tums, since the medication can interfere with iron absorption.
Yes, you can take some other antacids while pregnant. “Many antacids are available and safe to use during pregnancy,” Bornstein says. Wilcox recommends magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia) as a safe alternative to take during pregnancy, as well as aluminum hydroxide (Maalox and Mylanta). However, with the latter, you’ll want to avoid using it in high doses or chronically, as it could lead to aluminum build up in the body.
There are other antacids to steer clear of during pregnancy; these include:
- Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- Magnesium trisilicate (Gaviscon)
- Bismuth subsalicylate (PeptoBismol, Kaopectate)
Healthcare providers generally recommend starting with lifestyle changes before trying medication to treat heartburn and digestive issues in pregnancy. These include:
- Focusing on your diet. Wilcox suggests choosing low-acid foods and focusing on lean proteins and complex carbohydrates.
- Avoiding trigger foods. “Every person has different triggers, so understanding how your body responds to what you eat and when you eat can help avoid symptoms,” Baldonieri says. Some common triggers include spicy foods, tomatoes, citrus, onions, garlic, caffeine and fried foods.
- Eating small meals. Castellanos suggests eating less food more often instead of having three main meals, making sure that you’re not overly full when you eat.
- Drinking plenty of water. You’re likely paying attention to your intake right now anyway, but “be sure to have good water hydration with your meal,” advises Castellanos.
- Avoiding laying down soon after eating. This can cause the contents of your stomach to come up, raising the risk of heartburn, Wilcox says. “Leave about two to three hours between eating and bedtime,” she adds.
- Propping your head up at night. This helps keep the contents of your stomach where they belong. Baldonieri specifically recommends sleeping with an extra pillow to elevate your head.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is heartburn common during pregnancy?
There are two main reasons why heartburn is common in pregnancy, according to Baldonieri. One is that higher levels of estrogen and progesterone relax the sphincter muscle between the esophagus and stomach. “This allows stomach contents to reflux into the lower esophagus and cause discomfort,” he says. Your stomach can also be moved by your growing uterus. “As the uterus grows, it pushes the abdominal organs up which can cause reflux,” Baldonieri says.
What foods should you avoid during pregnancy to prevent heartburn?
Every person’s triggers are different, but some are more likely to lead to reflux than others. Wilcox recommends steering clear of spicy foods, acidic foods, fried or fatty foods, carbonated drinks, and peppermint tea. The last one is a little unexpected, but she points out that peppermint tea can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which can make heartburn worse.
Can too many Tums hurt baby during pregnancy?
Research hasn’t linked Tums or calcium carbonate to pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, birth defects, preterm delivery and low birth weight. However, having too many Tums can raise your risk of kidney stones, Castellanos says.
What GI issues are most common during pregnancy?
There are a few possible GI issues you might face in pregnancy. Those include morning sickness, hemorrhoids, bloating,gas and gallstones, according to Wilcox. “Constipation is also extremely common,” Baldonieri says. “This is because the hormone progesterone, which helps the pregnancy develop, also slows down the muscles of the intestines.”
Dealing with heartburn, acid reflux and other stomach issues isn’t fun, even when you’re not pregnant. Luckily, you can take Tums during pregnancy to get relief. And if you’re ever unsure about dosage or how to solve the root cause of the issue, reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Michael B. Baldonieri, MD, is an ob-gyn with University Hospitals in Ohio and an assistant professor of reproductive biology at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Chicago Medical School and completed his residency at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
Eran Bornstein, MD, is the vice chair of ob-gyn at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital. He earned his medical degree from Sackler School of Medicine and completed his residency at Lenox Hill Hospital.
Denise Castellanos, CNM, is the lead midwife at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center’s Women’s Health Pavilion in Laguna Hills, California. She completed her medical education at California State University, Los Angeles.
Wendy Wilcox, MD, is the chief women’s health officer at NYC Health + Hospitals. She completed her medical degree at College of Medicine State University of New York and her residency at Long Island College Hospital.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology, Heartburn, Nausea, and Vomiting During Pregnancy, October 2022
Mother To Baby, Calcium Carbonate, October 2023
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