Oh, the heartburn...

[Anonymous]

I'll echo what many have said and recommend Tums. In addition to the fact that it has mitigated heartburn for me, the extra strength kind has 1000 mg of calcium per dosage, which is a really nice bonus. Every morning before I brush my teeth, I just routinely take a dose of Tums and it seems to ward off the heartburn. Good luck -- heartburn is the worst!

[Anonymous]

I've been suffering from HB since the middle of my second trimester (I'm 29 weeks now). It's awful having that burning sensation in my throat! Here's a couple of suggestions that have helped me -- avoid citrus fruits and juices, chocolate and sweets, sleeping on your left side is better (something about stomach positioning), keep your head elevated when sleeping - 6-8 inches, don't drink a lot of liquids with your meals which tends to extend your stomach and cause reflux and fianally, keep Tums with you at all times. I don't wait for the HB to kick-in anymore - I just take a Tums as soon as I finish each meal - it helps!

[Anonymous]

I'll echo what everyone else has said and say TUMS!!!!!!! They were my saving grace with my pregnancies and the calcium you get is an extra bonus. Hope you get to feeling better soon!

[Anonymous]

I'm 7 wks. (almost 8) and have had some heartburn since 5 wks. Citrus fruit or juice- totally out. BBQ - out. Any vegetable not cooked to death-out. Looking at anything vaguely acidic - out. I've stuck with carbs, dairy, bananas, soft veggies. Tums have never worked for me (seem to make the acid worse), so I've been taking Pepcid or Tagamet (pregnancy-approved) in the evenings. I try not to eat dinner too late, and then try to go for a walk or at least not lie down until ready to sleep. I've been eating just a little food about every 2-3 hours, since the stomach empties slowly due to all the hormone madness. This is working so far. If it's uncomfortable to add extra pillows, one of my pregnancy books recommended putting 2x4 wood blocks under the feet of your bed at the head end. The following link on the Dr. Spock website (the baby guy, not the Vulcan) mentions an Rx medicine called Sucralfate (Carafate™) liquid that is seemingly OK for pregnant ladies - you could ask your doctor. Good luck - you have my sympathy!

http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,4405,00.html

[Anonymous]

I've also been suffering with heartburn since pretty early on. I read somewhere that chewing gum between meals can help, so I tried it and it really does! I've been living on Trident! Avoid mint gums, though, as they can aggravate heartburn. (Bubblegum and fruit flavors work well for me.)

I find ice water (with and between meals) to be soothing as well.

I also normally like to sleep with just one pillow but am now sleeping with five (!) -- two upright under my head, one at an angle under my shoulders and upper back, one between my knees (to prevent hip pain) and a small one to support my stomach. It took some time to get used to, but it's comfortable now and really helps with heartburn.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Agree with PPs about Tums. I liked the peppermint flavor, they tasted like those old people mints. Eating small meals helps somewhat, esp. if you have reflux, which I did something terrible. Do not eat dinner too close to bedtime! One night I got home really late from work and ate dinner at 9:30 and went straight to bed. At 2 or 3 a.m. I woke up choking on the contents of my stomach, got up to run to the bathroom, didn't make it, then slipped and fell in a puddle of my own vomit (hardwood floors). My husband was a saint and let me laugh first. That's still my favorite pregnancy "war story."