Which Gaviscon do people use and how often have they been taking? Panicking!

[Totoro1234]

Hi,

I’m 38 weeks pregnant and having an elective c section next week. Had quite a bit of reflux acid this pregnancy- been taking Gaviscon double action tablets daily since early on in my pregnancy. I’ve taken probably up to 4 tablets a day, perhaps rarely more, sometimes less (max dose is 16 tablets a day). I saw on the NHS website that you should avoid taking Gaviscon with sodium bicarbonate in it and that type has it in!!! On the box though it says you can take it if pregnant or breastfeeding. I hadn’t mentioned to midwife or pharmacist before because just thought acid reflux in pregnancy was standard and the Gaviscon works well. Looked online and it said to talk to dr or pharmacist if you need to take on a daily basis for a prolonged period of time, especially if told to follow a low salt diet. Had high blood pressure in my previous pregnancy but not this one. Also read it can cause electrolyte imbalances. I’m spiralling that I’ve harmed baby by nailing Gaviscon double action through my pregnant! I wondered if anyone else took it like this and if all is okay?

You've come this far! Baby will have a lot of hair according to old wives tale!
If you are suffering you should have spoken to your GP about reflux, they would have prescribed you something long term!
But my nieces mum (mum and dad are no longer together) was popping rennies and gaviscon her whole pregnancy, my niece come out with LOADS of auburn hair, and it was quite long too for a baby! I dont think you have much to worry about.

Do mention it to your midwife though! So theyre aware that you've been taking it x

If it says on the box that you can take it during pregnancy then it's fine. They wouldn't put that on the box lightly.

I used to chug it straight from the bottle. All good with the (then) babies.

I think I mostly lived off Gaviscon of all types when I was pregnant. He's a strapping teenager now.

I haven’t really been suffering as such with it, just taking a tablet after tea and before bed which works really well. Had reflux in my previous pregnancy so thought it was a rite of passage really! I will call and speak to her next week though.

I was chugging it out of the bottle too. Practically lived on the stuff towards the end.

The GP prescribed me acid reflux meds ones you can only get on prescription AND she said it was absolutely fine to have gaviscon at the same time.

Another bottle chugger here!

You'll be fine!!

Honestly its ok i swigged it feom the bottle my first pregnancy on pharmacists advice lol. This pregnancy im taking tge double action tablets because the box says its fine.

I made sure to buy the one that stated suitable for pregnant y and breast feeding.
With DS1 I accidentially took the none safe one and he was fine. He was 6lbs and actually sufferer with silent reflux...... No idea if linked but very odd. With DS2 I made sure to use the correct one.
I would call up the consultant you are ubder and speak to them about it.

@MixedBananas thank-you so much for responding. Do you remember what type of Gaviscon you used to take- there’s original, advanced or double action? Did you take it regularly? Thanks :-)

I wouldn't worry about it, I'm sure you'll be fine, but this is the best one to take:

www.gaviscon.co.uk/products/gaviscon-advance-liquid/

I had really bad reflux with both of mine and was popping double action tabs like they were sweeties by the end. DD is now nearly 2.5 and DS is 3mo and both are/were absolutely fine (and neither were born with mops of hair). Most medicines will say to consult a doctor before taking but that’s because it’s ethically unsound to test medications on pregnant women rather than it necessarily being harmful in any way so try not to worry too much.

@NormaNormalPants thank you so much for responding and for the reassurance. Yes, that makes sense about them not testing on pregnancy women! They need to make the guidance clearer! Thanks again!

Another chugger here! Sits at the side of my bed. Had bad heart burn a lot later on in my first pregnancy but this time round it’s started from about 11 weeks!