Heartburn from day one...

[babywhen]

I know heartburn is a common symptom but I've had it since the day I found out (currently 13+2) and it's all day from the minute I wake up. The pharmacy said I need to speak to my GP before taking anything...

Is this common to have it for me day one and can I take gaviscon or anything?

[theycallmebabydriver]

I've had it pretty much the whole way through and have munched through obscene amounts of gaviscon. I found I could manage it with gaviscon alone, although I'm struggling in the last couple of weeks but I'm due tomorrow so have decided to put up with the worst of it in the short term. If you go to your GP they will be able to prescribe you something better if gaviscon doesn't cut it for you.

[lonelylittlesoul]

I had it for the entire 9 months...must have drank litres of gaviscon. Think I was prescribed ranitidine in the end? Although nothing really helped to be fair. For a couple of months after I had my little one I used to find bottles stashed in random unused handbags, the car etc.

[Hannabee123]

One word... Ranitidine

Request that from your gp!!! It was a complete life saver in the end even drinking water was giving me acid and heartburn
That tablet saved me big time. Gaviscon was gross and didn't work for me. But seriously you won't regret it

[theycallmebabydriver]

The gaviscon double action mint are a lot better than the regular strawberry ones imo

[2infinity]

Ranitidine is a must!

[KNain]

I agree - Ranitidine is great. But you will need to see the GP for that I think. In the meantime get some Gavisgon.

I had heartburn all the way through pregnancy with DS and have had it all the way through this one. I'm never without a few Gavisgon sachets in my bag, and at home I chug it straight from the bottle - I don't even bother to measure it out! So I do feel for you.

[KNain]

Sorry Gaviscon. Not sure why my autocorrect has made up a new medicine!

[elizastarbeth]

I also got heartburn for the first time at around 13 weeks :(. The pharmacist gave me gaviscon with no problems. The bottle plainly says 'suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women'. One of my friends works as a pharmacy assistant, and she says that, out of the three pharmacists at her place, one of them is a real stickler and won't give anything to pregnant ladies without the doctor's say so. Perhaps try again, you'll hopefully get someone different?

If you've got your maternity exemption form, you can register for the minor ailments service and get it for free (Gaviscon is so expensive!), but otherwise try asking for peptac instead - same stuff, but a fraction of the price.

The pharmacist also advised to leave clear of ranitidine unless you need it - try Gaviscon first because it's not absorbed into your blood stream, just sits in your stomach, and therefore is definitely not harmful to baby.