QuestionI've had a really sour stomach for the past few days/week...I usually wake up with a lot a gas, belching and it feels like there's acid bubbling in my stomach and sometimes in my throat..it is much worst after meals ...I am 32 weeks pregnant and my pharamacist recommended Tums...I have stopped eating foods that i think are causing the problems but that and Tums don't seem to be working...Do u know of any antacids or foods that i might have at home that might help relieve some of this discomfort.I've been eating very bland meals,drinking plenty of water and apples as snacks.thank u for your time.
AnswerHi :)
What you are exprencing is very normal. But its so uncomfortable. I had severe heartburn with my pregnancy as well. I found drinking milk, for some reason really calmed it down ..but there is nothing to link that as a cure. That was just something, that worked for me.
But here are some other tips, that might help.
Eat five or six small meals of healthy foods instead of two or three large ones each day.
Sit with good posture when you are eating. Slouching can put extra pressure on your stomach.
Try and completely stay away from the following, if possible, or minimize your intake ...
coffee (caffeinated and decaffeinated)
carbonated beverages.
very sweet foods or drinks such as syrups, honey, or liqueurs.
tomato sauce and tomato paste.
citrus juice, such as lemonade or orange and grapefruit juice.
fatty or fried foods.
chocolate.
peppermint and spearmint oils or products
alcohol.
red and black pepper and other spices.
Wait an hour or longer after eating before you lie down. If you have to lie down after a meal, lie on your left side. Keep your head and shoulders slightly higher than the rest of your body.
Drink plenty of fluids between meals. Drink slowly. Drink no more than one cup with meals. Fluid with food can overfill your stomach.
Chew gum or suck on lozenges (not mints) to produce a flow of saliva. Saliva may help control stomach acid.
Raise the head of your bed 6 inches by placing blocks under the legs. Or you can wedge pillows in place so that your head and shoulders are higher than your stomach when you down.
Do not eat anything in the 2 to 3 hours before you go to bed. An empty stomach produces less acid, so you are less likely to have heartburn while you sleep.
But there is medication out there that can be given to you by your doctor for acid reflux/heartburn that is safe during pregnancy. That was the option I had to take, and it really did give me releif. If the above options dont give your releif, call your OB and discuss medications that will alleviate you on this discomfort.
Hope this was of some help.
-Kristy
