Need Advice about Rolaids during Pregnancy

[Beach Bum]

Ok this is my first post, so sorry if I did something wrong. I am 7 weeks pregnant with my first child and have been taking Rolaids for heartburn. Babycenter said it was safe and it was all I had. Today I called the doctor just to ask and be sure and they told me not to take Rolaids, but Tums. I am really worried now. Is this just a preference between Doctors or should I be worried? Thanks for listening.

[luv2sav]

I'm not sure. Maybe compare the ingredients on the two? I'd call your Dr. back and make sure alls well even though you took the Rolaids, just to set your mind at ease.

When I was preg. with both of my children, I took Pepcid Complete. One right before bed because that's when my heartburn was awful! My Dr OK'd it. This was going back 8 years though, so you might want to check.

[nuffsaid]

hello! CONGRATS!!

Dr prefer tums, they have calcium, that is the ingredient that controls heartburn calcium carbonate~

However once had gall bladder issues, they let me take a triple dose of zantac and maalox, anything that would keep me out of surgery until baby came>

So YMMV ;), I would def. ask for zantac, as you go along works so much better at night, but cannot mix the two, tums and zantac

[foggierbard9]

My doctor gave me a sheet with their recommendations for all over the counter meds during this pregnancy. For indigestion/heartburn/gas/upset stomach it lists:
Mylanta, maalox, rolaids, tums, simethicone, pepcid, tagamet, zantac.

Next to the tums it does say it can also be used as a calcium supplement....so maybe that is why he is saying tums to give you extra calcium as well as control your heartburn.

I am almost 8 mos pregnant right now and have horrible heartburn. I have been taking the Maalox complete that has calcium carbonate and simethicone as the active ingredients.

[Beach Bum]

Thanks for the quick replys. I did tell the nurse I had been taking Rolaids and she said that I was fine, but don't take anymore. So that just scared me a little. Thanks again, that makes me feel better that it is on your list. Rolaids has magnesium and Tums don't, but I didn't read anything bad about taking magnesium during pregnancy.

[oceanbreeze]

Congrats on your pregnancy!!

You should be fine, but take tums instead if that is what they recommend (from now on).

[MrsPinecone]

Magnesium has a laxative effect. I am sure that they are trying to save you from a nasty case of the trots if you take too many. It may also be like castor oil, and have the same laxative effect on the baby. The concern would be causing the baby to poop in utero, and possibly ingest meconium during delivery.