Gaviscon During Pregnancy: When And How To Use It

Pregnancy is a time of enormous changes for ladies, who can encounter various kinds of problems and inconveniences – such as indigestion and sharpness. Connected with gastroesophageal reflux, this problem can start in the main long stretches of pregnancy and, if clinically proper, requires restorative mediation.

After the earlier interview with your primary care physician, is it conceivable to utilize Gaviscon – a non-prescription medication fit for offering quick and powerful alleviation from indigestion and heartburn? We should find out by assuming taking it during pregnancy is conceivable.

Can Gaviscon Be Used During Pregnancy?

First of all, it should always be emphasized that during pregnancy, you need to be cautious about taking medications. Gaviscon can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding where clinically necessary. This drug can be of great help in managing nausea and heartburn, but it must be considered that these disorders are physiological during gestation. In this phase, hormones such as progesterone have a relaxing effect on the stomach. 

They can lead to temporary hiatal hernias or alterations in the digestive cycle, causing heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux. Gaviscon, during pregnancy, however, is not able to cure these disorders but only temporarily alleviate the symptoms; to choose the right product,  it is necessary to consult with the gynaecologist to evaluate the health conditions of the pregnant woman and the possible interactions with other drugs.

As regards the contraindications regarding the use of Gaviscon during pregnancy, there do not appear to be any particularly relevant ones – except those who may be hypersensitive to the active ingredient (but they are rare); furthermore, the drug does not interfere with fetal development, since it acts locally and not systemically.

Active Ingredients Of Gaviscon

Gaviscon is used as a remedy for stomach disorders, for example:

1. acid reflux;
2. stomach ache;
3. nausea

During pregnancy, it is customary to encounter these problems, so this medication becomes fundamental for helping resolve or lighten stomach issues that influence the pregnant lady.

Three variations are available: Gaviscon, Gaviscon Advance and Gaviscon Acid Reflux and Heartburn.

The initial two configurations contain alginic corrosive, a polysaccharide extricated from earthy-coloured green growth, which shapes a defensive boundary in the stomach, forestalling the hostility of gastric acids. The third product is a mix of sodium bicarbonate, sodium alginate and calcium carbonate,  which acts in two ways:

1. Sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate neutralize excess acidity, relieving pain and discomfort related to poor digestion;
2. sodium alginate, on the other hand, in contact with gastric acids, creates a barrier that prevents reflux. This element, extracted from the cell walls of algae and sustainably harvested along the coasts of Norway, is mainly made up of bile, acid, and pepsin.

Each 10 ml dose contains:

1. 500 mg of Sodium Alginate;
2. 267 mg of Sodium Bicarbonate.

Among the excipients there are:

sodium;

1. calcium carbonate;
2. methyl parahydroxybenzoate (e218);
3. propyl parahydroxybenzoate (e216).

When To Use The Gaviscon

1. Gaviscon is used to relieve symptoms  such as:
2. belching ;
3. flatulence ;
4. stomach ache;
5. abdominal swelling.

The drug can be taken as needed or at regular intervals, depending on the intensity of the symptoms. If your symptoms do not improve within 48 hours, you should see your doctor for an evaluation. It is essential to respect the maximum daily dose, which depends on the specific formulation of the chosen product. As for the hiring method, Gaviscon is available in the form of:

1. tablets: they must be swallowed whole with a glass of water at least half an hour before meals;
2. liquid: measure the dose with a tablespoon and take it after meals or when you feel heartburn.
3. It is essential to carefully read the instructions on the packaging for the correct use of the product.

Symptoms And Causes Of Heartburn During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, you may experience the following heartburn-related  symptoms

1. burning sensation in the chest behind the sternum, usually after meals, and persists for several hours;
2. chest pain when lying down, bending over, or eating;
3. burning sensation in the throat accompanied by a sour or salty taste in the back of the throat;
4. chronic cough ;
5. Belching, food coming back during pregnancy: changes in the body can cause vomiting and nausea, symptoms that can also indicate severe heartburn;
6. The feeling of fullness and bloating: this symptom could be linked to pregnancy but also to heartburn. Trying to treat it might ease the discomfort.
7. Wheezing and asthma-like symptoms: If you have never had allergies or respiratory problems, this symptom may be surprising, but it could be caused by heartburn;
8. Feeling sick or nauseous: it is expected to feel tired during pregnancy, but if you think something else is happening, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

In general, this disorder can be experienced especially in the last trimester of pregnancy, but if it occurs in the first trimester of gestation, it can have two leading causes:

1. hormonal factors;
2. body changes due to the expansion of the uterus.

During this time,  progesterone levels rise, slowing digestion, decreasing involuntary contractions of the intestine, and relaxing the sphincter. For this reason,  gastric juices tend to rise from the mouth of the stomach, causing severe heartburn, acidity, nausea and general malaise.

Heartburn in the second and, above all, the third trimester of pregnancy has a different cause.

Towards the end of gestation, the uterus enlarges up to 100 times compared to its initial volume.

This expansion can have secondary effects on the stomach, compressing it, facilitating the ascent of gastric juices and slowing down digestion (the stomach assumes a horizontal position)

At this stage, burning is one of the typical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Heartburn and acidity in pregnancy can be aggravated by:

1. irregular meals, too fatty or too abundant;
2. consumption of spices, acidic foods or coffee;
3. smoke;
4. stress.

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