How many tums can you take while pregnant

It is caused by hormonal and physical changes in your body. During pregnancy, the placenta produces the hormone progesterone. Progesterone relaxes the smooth muscles of the uterus, but it also relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. This allows gastric acids to seep back up, which causes the unpleasant burning sensation. Most people know antacids can provide fast, safe relief for heartburn.

The question you have is whether or not it is safe to take TUMS during pregnancy? TUMS provides safe heartburn relief for women who are pregnant. TUMS also adds calcium to your body. When you are pregnant, your body may need between 1, mg and 1, mg of elemental calcium per day. Be sure to take TUMS at a different time than you take iron supplements.

It is recommended to space doses of these antacids and iron supplements one to two hours apart, to get the full benefit from each medicine or dietary supplement. You should consult with your healthcare provider before taking any antacids containing sodium bicarbonate.

Altering your diet or adjusting your lifestyle should be the first thing you try when looking to manage your pregnancy heartburn. If you pay attention, you will probably notice certain foods are more likely to trigger heartburn.

Here are some steps you can take:. Keep in mind the majority of pregnant women experience heartburn during pregnancy , take TUMS for relief and go on to have a normal and healthy pregnancy.

They are:. You may take two to four tablets of Tums every two hours to get the needed relief from heartburn 5. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking any antacid.

Also, always maintain a gap of at least two hours between taking an antacid and iron supplements to derive maximum benefits from both the medicines 6. The doctor might allow you to take the medicine for quick relief from heartburn caused by acidity. Usually, antacids that contain calcium and magnesium are used as the first line treatment for treating heartburn during pregnancy 7.

Since Tums is a good source of calcium, taking them for heartburn will also increase your calcium intake and help you get the ideal amount of the nutrient during pregnancy. The right amount of calcium in your diet prevents lead absorption in bones and may also lower the risk of hypertensive disorders and preeclampsia 8 9. Over usage of the medicine, however, could have adverse effects on you. Next, we address some commonly asked questions about Tums during pregnancy.

You may consider taking other antacids such as Rolaids, Maalox, Pepcid and Mylanta However, check with your healthcare provider before using any of these medications. Besides medication, eating smaller meals, avoiding acidic and spicy foods, drinking lots of water, unsweetened coconut water, and mint tea can also provide relief from heartburn. Yes, Tums and Zofran can be taken together, since there are no studies to show that their interaction is negative.

While Tums is for heartburn, Zofran treats nausea and morning sickness. The main difference between all of the different products? The amount of the active heartburn-relieving ingredient, calcium carbonate. Tums contains mg of calcium carbonate, Tums contains mg of calcium carbonate, and so on.

There is no question that calcium is an important nutrient for bone health, both in mom and baby. Since Tums is made from calcium, any Tums you take will count toward the 1, mg daily recommended amount of calcium source: NIH. There is an upper limit of how much calcium per day is safe, however. It is best not to exceed mg of calcium per day source: Mayo Clinic. The maximum number of Tums that you can take per day depends on the strength of the product.

There is an easy way to figure out how much calcium is in each tablet. Do keep in mind, you are likely also getting some calcium from your diet, so it is best not to meet the 2, mg upper limit from Tums alone. To help you dose Tums, the brand offers a helpful pregnancy dosage guide on their website.

You can find it here. While there is a maximum as to how many Tums are safe to take each day, the tablets are still safe to use on a regular basis. If you have specific questions regarding how many Tums are safe for you and your baby, be sure to reach out to your medical provider or pharmacist for individualized advice.

It is also worth mentioning that taking Tums right before eating can block the proper absorption of other essential nutrients, such as iron and phosphorus. In order to get the most from your food or dietary supplements, try to give yourself around 2 hours or more between meals and taking Tums source: American Pregnancy Association , Nova Scotia Health.

Though safe to use while pregnant, taking too many Tums is certainly a possibility.