Pregnant women have many health issues during pregnancy, such as heartburn. So which medicines are safe to take for women and their baby? Researchers have important new information about the side effects of heartburn medication and how it should be used.
Fox news reports on the issues surrounding heartburn medication in pregnant women. “Heartburn is very common during pregnancy. In fact, more than half of all pregnant women report having symptoms of severe heartburn during their second and third trimesters. Heartburn often occurs during pregnancy because of the change in hormone levels. An increase in the hormone progesterone relaxes the stomach valve that keeps acid out of the esophagus,” according to Fox.
An expert doctor outlines what pregnant women should be careful of when it comes to heartburn issues. He states, “It’s important for you to remember that antacids can interfere with the absorption of certain vitamins like iron, which is essential during pregnancy, because it aids in the production of hemoglobin used to carry oxygen to the placenta.”
Fox news goes into detail about which medications should be taken and how, “There are two types of heartburn drugs; one kind neutralizes acid, and the other kind decreases acid production. These medications should only be used in conjunction with alternative therapies including: eating almonds, drinking coconut water or ginger tea, taking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, using natural herbs like slippery elm, sitting or standing after meals, elevating the head and chest in bed, and keeping a food journal to identify triggers.”
Researchers and experts state that these natural and herbal practices are often better than taking medications. Pregnant women should try these first before venturing into medication, because pharmaceutical drugs can have various unsafe side effects for the mother and/or the fetus.
