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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Heartburn and gavison

30 replies

needtodohousework · 03/02/2009 21:58

Have heartburn after every little thing I eat. The bottle says after each meal and before bed. It works well when I take it but I need to eat little and often and every little tny snack or drink sets the heartburn off again.

What I want to know is how many times can I take it? Is it safe to keep taking it? I am going through loads of the stuff.

Its the advance one you get on prescription

OP posts:
Original poster
needtodohousework · 03/02/2009 21:59

And out of interest, anybody who has had bad heartburn before - Did you have a boy or a girl?

OP posts:
heavenlylily · 03/02/2009 22:04

I get terrible heartburn at night so swig out of bottle every night before going to sleep. As far as I'm aware, the only real side effect of having too much is bloating and - ahem- flatulence. Categorically states is safe to use during pg and bf on bottle so can anly assume this is the case! I had a girl first time around, no idea what having this time. Can't imagine it has a bearing on it though!

Poledra · 03/02/2009 22:05

Had chronic heartburn with all three DCs - all girls with full heads of hair (To clarify that remark, old wives' tale says heartburn = baby with hair). Anyway, I ignored the instructions and swigged straight from the bottle when required - didn't seem to do any harm (but clearly am not qualified medic either).

dottoressa · 03/02/2009 22:09

Chronic heartburn both times caused by even so much as one crisp - I had one boy and one girl. I used to drink Gaviscon from the bottle. I got huge bottles on prescription; the GP said I could have as much as I liked, and I took her at her word!!

ciara07 · 03/02/2009 22:11

I had chronic heartburn with my last pregnancy, and was given Ranatadine from GP from the off, asked for it again this time as soon as it started but gp has changed and was told to try everything poss first so after weeks of trying gaviscon peptac milk you name it i finally got Ranitadine again last week - what a relief!! if only GP had listened to me in the first place i would not had to go throught the pain and sleepless nights!

I had a girl last time - but not much hair!

Original poster
needtodohousework · 03/02/2009 22:11

heavenlylilly - I know it says it is safe during pregnancy, I meant is it safe to take more than the recomended amount while you are pregnant.

Just wondered about the sex as I had a girl last time and not a single sign of heatburn and have had it really bad this time. Have been told they "think" this one is a girl from scan but I am not convinced!

OP posts:
jennifersofia · 03/02/2009 22:14

3 girls, 2 with no hair and one with not much, heartburn all three times. Gaviscon didn't help much, Zantac did. You have my sympathy!

Original poster
needtodohousework · 03/02/2009 22:21

Whats ranitadine? Do you still have to take it every time you eat? Is it a tablet? Does it work straight away? I THINK that is what my SIL recomended to me that I got.

OP posts:
twocutedarlings · 03/02/2009 22:22

I have suffered with terrible heart burn in all 3 of pgs (am 37 weeks with 3rd) i have 2 DDs DD1 loads of dark hair DD2 completely bald!! and this one is defo a boy!! saw his bits on 3d scan .

Original poster
needtodohousework · 03/02/2009 22:22

Whats Zantac? All these things I haven't heard of! Can you get it on prescription?

OP posts:
ciara07 · 03/02/2009 22:37

ranaitadine is a tablet you take one a day and that is it, i still take a glass of milk going to bed just to be on the safe side during the night but it works wonders. you need to get it on perscription. Not 100% sure this is correct, read it on another post but i think it is the same as zantac zantac is the brand name??

Original poster
needtodohousework · 03/02/2009 23:43

One a day? That sounds good!
Milk? Does that help? I drink chocolate milk and it really makes the heartburn worse! I hate plain milk though!

OP posts:
ThePgHedgeWitchIsCrankyBeware · 04/02/2009 00:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

GYoIsReallyHavingABaby · 04/02/2009 08:57

Worth noting that zantac/ranitidine (same thing) work by preventing the symptoms, so its pretty useless if you are in the middle of a bad attack.

I take it (not prescribed, just bought from boots) mid afternoon so I can eat evening meal in peace but doesnt always work now that I am bigger (34wks). Usually top up with gaviscon lemon tabs when needed. But need 4 of those to have an effect.

Think body gets to the point of being so squashed that not much can be done except give birth!

Good luck!

Sweetie34 · 04/02/2009 12:37

All Hail GAVISCON!! My current Lord and Master!

EsmeWeatherwax · 04/02/2009 12:51

I swigged Gaviscon straight from the bottle during my last pregnancy too, all the time. Was murder without it. This time around I've been much worse though, actually being sick all the time because of indigestion/heartburn, and I have been prescribed Omeprazole by the docs, which limits the production of acid in your stomach. The doc wanted to prescribe ranitidine, but apparently its not recommended for pregnancy anymore, although she did say she wasn't sure why, since its apparently been safe til now!

EsmeWeatherwax · 04/02/2009 12:52

Oh yes, last pregnancy was a dd, as is this one...

dan39 · 04/02/2009 12:53

I am a swig it from the bottle girl too - GP said it was fine! I even have a bottle next to bed for middle of the night.

clouiseg · 04/02/2009 16:35

I had heartburn and reflux through my first 2 pregnancies and was told to survive on Gaviscon but the relief was short lived. Am currrenly 35 weeks pregnant with babba #3 and began suffering early on as before. My consultant offered me Ranitidine tablets which are a GODSEND. I have to take one every morning and every evening. I'm booked for a C Section so apparently I'd need them pre op anyway, but my sister who is also pg asked her Doctor for them and has found them a success too! Don't be afraid to put your foot down and demand something stronger like Ranitidine. People don't appreciate the misery and discomfort of heartburn unless they're suffering with it...! Good luck.

mogwai · 04/02/2009 16:45

zantac all the way, ladies!

brettgirl2 · 04/02/2009 18:04

The zantac that you buy over the counter is a lower dose than the prescription one.

If gaviscon isn't working then go to the doctors - you can also take omeprazole, which is more effective than rinitidine.

I have to take omeprazole all the time because of chronic heartburn (not just during PG). I am now 31 weeks and although I can 'feel' the reflux it isn't acidic like it would be otherwise. BTW Esme I don't think that it's that rinitidine is no longer thought to be safe, it is that Omeprazole is thought to be just as safe but better. Omeprazole as a result is the one that is licensed - your doctor is really up to date because reading on here most peeps are still given rinitidine.

I'm such an expert - you can tell how much googling I've done about the safety of Omeprazole can't you???

brettgirl2 · 04/02/2009 18:05

Oh and by the way - to get anything stronger than Gaviscon you need to see a doctor, not a MW.

Poledra · 04/02/2009 18:35

By dan39 Wed 04-Feb-09 12:53:27
"I am a swig it from the bottle girl too - GP said it was fine! I even have a bottle next to bed for middle of the night. "

Oh yes - I had a bottle by the bed, one in my desk drawer at work, a little one in my briefcase........

brettgirl2 · 04/02/2009 18:37

Did you get to the stage of hiding the bottles Poledra? Now I think that would indicate you had a problem

Poledra · 04/02/2009 18:38

ROFL

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