Direct answer: Yes, Tums is generally considered safe for occasional use during pregnancy when taken as directed, but it’s best to use it sparingly and under your healthcare provider’s guidance. Avoid taking more than the recommended amount, and try to minimize use by addressing heartburn with lifestyle tweaks first.

Details and guidance:

• Safety and dosing
  • Tums (calcium carbonate) can provide fast relief from heartburn and is commonly recommended by OBs for pregnant individuals when used as directed. Exceeding the advised dose or using it chronically can lead to issues like constipation or kidney stones, so follow the label and your clinician’s advice.

* Typical guidance is not to exceed about 15 tablets in 24 hours, and to take them around 30 minutes before meals if used for heartburn prevention alongside iron supplements (to avoid interference with iron absorption). Individual guidance may vary, so check with your provider.

• Consider alternatives and lifestyle tweaks
  • Before relying on antacids, explore non-pharmacologic strategies such as smaller, more frequent meals, avoiding trigger foods (spicy or fatty foods, caffeine, peppermint, chocolate), avoiding lying down right after eating, and maintaining good posture after meals. These steps can reduce heartburn frequency and severity.

* If you’re taking iron supplements, spacing Tums and iron intake can help with absorption. Discuss with your clinician about timing adjustments.

• When to contact a healthcare provider
  • If heartburn is severe, frequent, or unrelieved by occasional antacids, or if there are any new or worrisome symptoms, consult your OB or a healthcare professional. They can evaluate for underlying causes and tailor recommendations to the pregnancy stage and individual health needs.

Practical tips:

• Use Tums only as needed for relief and not as a daily crutch.
• Read and follow the product’s labeling for dosing and safety during pregnancy.
• If you have conditions such as preeclampsia risk, kidney disease, or a history of kidney stones, or if you’re on other medications, get medical advice before using Tums regularly.

If you’d like, I can tailor this to your trimester, current medications, and any dietary habits to give more precise guidance.