Bad Mama

Without getting too graphic........I had GERD before getting pregnant, so I knew once I was pregnant the heartburn would be rough. It has been for a good 6 months. Being that I refused to take any "medicine" I have vowed to not take anything stronger than my tums or mylanta or maalox. I switched to Maalox when the Mylanta stopped working. I know they are medicine, but seemed less "mediciney" than prilosec, zantac, etc. Well, I take the full recommended dose EVERY day for the past 5 months. My OB said as long as you don't exceed the daily max dosage all is well. HA..HA...HA..... Now to the gross part. I have been having "bathroom issues" for a good 3 months now. I'm talking, I haven't had normal experience once...okay I had one once, and it was after a steak dinner. Aside from that, not normal. I often questioned if my body was absorbing ANY nutrients at all. I figured as long as I didn't exceed the no more than 3 bathrooms per day, I was good. Well a month ago there were about 10 a day for 2 days. OB said to take immodium and if that didn't clear it to call him back. I of course didn't listen because the last thing I need is to NOT be able to go for a week. It cleared on its own. When I say cleared, I mean the frequency went back to normal, not the "type." I had another similar episode last week which was about 15 times in one day, but only lasted one day. So again, I was good, no immodium needed. I called my OB today fearing that I am lacking the ability to pass on nutrients and of course the nurse was horrified to hear this has been going on for so long and it took one sentence for it all to make sense. It all of a sudden hit me and I asked her if this issue could at all be related to my Maalox intake....AHAHHAHAHAHAHAH she literally laughed. She couldn't BELIEVE I was STILL taking Maalox that frequently. She said the medicine itself is NOT AT ALL harmful but that the side effects were! She asked why I didn't take the other heartburn pills he told me to take and I had to tell her I didn't take it for the same reason I didn't take the immodium. Here I thought I was being good natural no serious med's momma to be, and all the while I am depriving my child of all the yummy things I've been eating to make him healthy. I am offically a BAD momma to be, and feel HORRIBLE. I threw out all bottle of heartburn liquid crack and am waiting for the OB to call to tell me what pill to take for the heartburn. Apparently since my baby is not SMALL, he is eating something!