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Zantac is all that worked for me without having to go prescription. Tums and Pepcid weren't strong enough. Get your OB's approval first though.

I just started getting heartburn in the evenings (28 weeks). I take 2 tums at night and have started eating much smaller portions at dinner AND i eat super early (like 5pm). I'm also learning which foods to avoid (red pasta sauce in the evenings).

I also think that it's worse when i eat dinner and plop on the couch and do nothing. It was bothering me last night, then i got up and did some cleaning and all that moving around prompted me to burp a few times and then i felt WAY better.

I think it's just starting out for me, though....

I'm only 12 1/2 weeks, but I have GERD (reflux disease, a pretty severe case because of a hietal hernia), and the only thing that *really* works for me is a bland diet. I had to do it for 4-6 months following a surgery I had for a stricture in my esophegus last year.

Short version: cut wayyyy down or eliminate acidic foods: citrus fruits and all juices, tomatoes, spices, caffeine, coffee (even decaf because it's acidic), all sodas and carbonated beverages, onions, peppers, etc. My biggest "triggers" now are fruit juices (even apple juice), coffee, and carbonated beverages. Since I'm pregnant and none of those are particularly healthful, then I don't feel I miss those things as much as I did before I was preggo.

it takes 3-5 days for it to start working, but it does work. On top of that, Ranitidine (zantac) is supposed to be safe during pregnancy, and I have to take it twice a day, morning and night.

Good luck! True reflux is so awful. I used to get regular heartburn in college and I thought *that* was bad. Until my esophegus almost shut from the irritation and I thought I was having a heart attack, the pain was so bad.

I'm pretty sure my main source of food was Tums at that point. Sorry, it sucks.

I've been eating more bland meals at night (sadly, no mexican food...) and popping Tums when needed. Have had to prop myself up with pillows a couple of times and sleep in a sitting position.

I almost had to go to the hospital one night. It was so terrible.

A few remedies
- Drink a glass of apple juice before bed. This really helps!!
- Papaya pills. This kinda helps like tums without the issue of extra calcium
- If you really want to try this one, my dad swears by cayanne pepper. Add a tablespoon to a glass of water and drink it. Or you can buy in capsule form.

We have bad issues but didn't want to go on medication. These are the things we found that work.

@prettylizy: Cider Vinegar is the same concept as the apple juice. Most people just can't stomach drinking the cider vinegar.

@Thehistoryofus: Oh yeah, apple juice is a killer for me. But I have actual reflux disease, and an irritated esophagus on top of that, so my response to certain foods is probably worse than the average persons.

I was suprised too, as my doctor said absolutely no citrus fruits or juices, but didn't mention Apples...an real apples are okay for me, but apple juice starts an immediate burning feeling.

Strange but true. Just part of the joys of having GERD.

I'm sorry to hear that it is so bad! Heartburn kicked in for me big time now that I'm in the second trimester. I'm scared it is going to last the whole time, too! I've been drinking a glass of warm milk with honey before bed to take the edge off, but I really do think eating dinner super-early and then not having anything else to eat in the evening is going to be my next trick. And, I'm off citrus, onions, spicy anything, tomatoes, etc.