Tums Pregnancy: Safe Heartburn Relief for Expecting Moms

When you're pregnant, heartburn isn't just annoying—it can feel like a constant fire in your chest. Tums, a common over-the-counter antacid made from calcium carbonate. It's one of the most recommended options for pregnant women because it neutralizes stomach acid quickly and adds calcium, which your growing baby needs. Unlike some other heartburn meds, Tums doesn't get absorbed into your bloodstream the same way, so it's less likely to affect your baby. But that doesn't mean you can just take it freely—dosing matters, and not all antacids are created equal.

Calcium carbonate, the active ingredient in Tums, is what makes it work. It reacts with stomach acid to form harmless salt, water, and carbon dioxide. That’s why you might burp after taking it—it’s the acid being neutralized. For pregnant women, this is often the safest way to get relief without crossing into risky territory. Other antacids like those with aluminum or magnesium can build up in your system or cause diarrhea. Tums avoids those issues, which is why doctors and pharmacists keep reaching for it. But here’s the catch: if you’re already taking prenatal vitamins with calcium, too much extra calcium from Tums could lead to constipation or even kidney stones. The key is balance—stick to the label, don’t exceed 10 tablets a day, and talk to your provider if you’re using it more than a few times a week.

Heartburn during pregnancy, a near-universal symptom caused by hormonal shifts and pressure from the growing uterus, peaks in the second and third trimesters. It’s not just about spicy food—it’s your body changing. Tums helps, but it’s not a cure-all. Lifestyle tweaks like eating smaller meals, staying upright after eating, and avoiding lying down for two hours after dinner can cut your reliance on antacids. And while Tums is generally safe, if your heartburn is so bad it’s keeping you up at night or making you vomit, that’s not normal. It might be GERD, or something else. That’s when you need more than an antacid—you need a plan.

What you’ll find below are real, practical posts that dig into exactly this: how Tums fits into pregnancy care, what alternatives actually work, how to tell if your heartburn is something more serious, and why some remedies that seem harmless can still cause trouble. No fluff. Just what you need to know to stay safe, comfortable, and informed while you’re expecting.