Dragon breath

I've had heartburn - or dragon breath, as I've come to call it - since the first trimester. Looking back over my notes, I've had it at least since I was 9 weeks pregnant. Somewhat sporadically right at the start, but it soon became a daily visitor, and was directly responsible for at least one shopping spree. By my 22 week prenatal appointment, I had become very uncomfortable and asked the resident if there was anything I could do. She checked with my GP, who said, "Tums. Not only are they safe, they are actually recommended because of their calcium content." I went straight to the drugstore and stocked up, and ever since have been popping them like Phoebe goes for treats.

Over the last week or two, though, the dragon breath has worsened, and Tums just take the edge of, and only for a short while. I get it now even when I'm sleeping, so it may not be long before I have to sleep reclining rather than lying. (Maybe a nice change from having to sleep on my side?)

It is truly one of the less fun aspects of pregnancy. And just in case I ever look back on pregnancy and think it was all sunshine and flowers, maybe I should briefly ennumerate the some of the other less joyous physical symptoms:

• Constant peeing
• Sore right hip (Made worse by having to sleep on my side.)
• Congested nose (Right from the first trimester. My allergist prescribed something, but I'm not convinced it is helping; nevertheless, I'm afraid to stop using it, just in case it is working)
• Pubis symphysis pain
• Sleeplessness
• Sciatica
• Constant, utterly unquenchable thirst
• Swelling (pontoon feet, marshmallow toes, cankles, clown hands...)