Is It Safe To Use Baking Soda During Pregnancy?

Judicious use of this common kitchen ingredient can ease certain pregnancy discomforts.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Neharika Malhotra, MD Dr. Neharika Malhotra Dr. Neharika MalhotraMD MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: Obstetrics, infertility And Fetal MedicineExperience: 12 years
Written by , M.Tech (Biotechnology) Anshuman Mohapatra M.Tech (Biotechnology) Follow MomJunction on LinkedinFollow MomJunction on Twitter Specialty: Pregnancy and HealthExperience: 6 years
Edited by , BSc Rebecca Malachi BSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pregnancy, Health and WellnessExperience: 12 years
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A woman is ready to eat cake

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Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is used for multiple purposes, including cooking, cleaning, and health remedies. Although it is a common ingredient in every household, many women wonder if it is safe to use baking soda during pregnancy.

Read this post for further information on the use of baking soda during pregnancy, whether as a cleaning agent, cooking ingredient, or home remedy for certain conditions. We also tell you some safety tips you should follow.

In This Article

Key Pointers

  • Baking soda is commonly used during pregnancy as an antacid.
  • Although its consumption in small amounts is deemed safe, injectable baking soda might lead to complications for the fetus.
  • It can be used to rinse the mouth during pregnancy to control increased acidic oral conditions due to frequent vomiting.
  • It is advised to avoid taking baking soda during pregnancy if there are safer alternatives available at hand.
  • Always consult your doctor before having baking soda during pregnancy.

Baking Soda During Pregnancy

Most women experience heartburniBurning feeling in the chest when acid travels up from the stomach towards the throat when pregnant due to hormonal changes within the body (1). Baking soda is often used as an antacidiMedicine used to relieve heartburn and indigestion by neutralizing acids in the stomach  (2). When used in small amounts, baking soda may not affect the process of baby development. So, you can use it in moderate amounts as part of your pregnancy nutrition.

However, its sodium content may interfere with the body’s water retention capacity, and you need to be careful. If you intend to take baking soda to get relief from heartburn during pregnancy, consider the following points.

protip_icon Did you know?
Pregnant women may have cravings for strange items such as baking soda, and this unusual food craving is known as pica (9).

Use Of Baking Soda As Antacid

Let’s look into the pros and cons of using baking soda as an antacid during pregnancy.

Pros

Baking soda during pregnancy relieves you from heartburn.

Image: Shutterstock

The best part is that there has been no evidence of any adverse effect of baking soda on babies in the womb (3). However, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider before using it when pregnant. They can offer personalized advice based on your health conditions and needs, ensuring the safety of both you and your baby.

  1. It can effectively fight the acids that your body is producing and thus relieve you from heartburn or acid reflux.
  2. When ingested, baking soda reacts with the acid in the stomach to produce common salt, water, and carbon dioxide, which are harmless.
  3. It is advised to dissolve the powder completely in water and then take it.
  4. If the acidity gets severe, you can mix half a teaspoon of baking soda in half cup water and mix it well before drinking.
  5. A teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a glass of water may be used to rinse the mouth during pregnancy to control increased acidic oral condition due to frequent vomiting or morning sickness (4).
protip_icon Quick tip
Add a few drops of lemon juice to a teaspoon of baking soda. If it fizzes heavily, the baking soda is fresh.

Cons

Baking soda may increase the risk of edema.

Image: Shutterstock

According to Florida-based physician Dr. Matthew Casavant, “Baking soda is generally not toxic in normal amounts, but consuming too much can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Pregnant women should avoid taking baking soda as a supplement or in large doses. However, using small amounts in cooking or for minor discomfort relief is usually safe.”

Sodium bicarbonate or baking soda may cause fluid build up resulting in swollen feet or other problems due to edemaiSwelling due to fluid trapped in the body’s tissues (5).

  1. Taking baking soda as an antacid may help you reduce heartburn, but it will increase your problem if you are suffering from edema.
  2. Injectable sodium bicarbonate has been assigned category C rating by the FDA for pregnant women (6). Category C means that either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the fetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Therefore, you must consult your doctor before going for it.
  3. If you have other, safer remedies at hand, then avoiding baking soda as an antacid will be better.

Baking Soda For Cooking

It is completely safe to use baking soda for cooking.

Image: Shutterstock

Baking soda, after all, is a popular kitchen ingredient. Even when you are not taking it as a medicine or a natural remedy, you may be using it for baking.

  • It is completely safe to use baking soda for cooking.
  • When mixed with other ingredients, it may not have a harmful impact.
  • Mind the amount that you are using and the frequency of consumption.

Baking Soda As Cleaning Agent

You can safely use baking soda to clean carpets and rugs.

Image: Shutterstock

During pregnancy, you have to be cautious as to what material you are using to clean your house. Baking soda can be a good option as a surface cleaner and deodorizer because it is natural and does not emit harmful fumes (7).

  • It is safe to handle. Baking soda will not harm you on coming in contact with skin.
  • It can be used to clean carpets and rugs by sprinkling some powder before vacuuming.
  • A paste of baking soda can effectively clean kitchen and table tops.

protip_icon Quick tip
Mix baking soda and vinegar to make an effective and relatively safe cleaner for kitchen sinks and drains.

The impact of baking soda also depends on how you take it and with what frequency. Consuming it once in a while is fine. Just don’t make it a regular habit. With so many uses, you don’t have to eliminate baking soda from your kitchen when you get pregnant.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a baking soda bath? Is it safe during pregnancy?

A baking soda bath is a tub bath with baking soda dissolved in warm water. It is suggested to treat a few minor skin conditions. Baking soda can vary from two tablespoons to two cups, depending on the skin condition. Generally, a 10- to 40-minute baking soda bath is considered safe. However, the safety of baking soda baths during pregnancy has not been extensively studied. Hence, if you wish to participate in baking soda baths, seek your gynecologist’s consent.

2. How to predict the sex of a baby during pregnancy using baking soda?

The baking soda gender test is a home DIY test. To perform it, a pregnant woman needs to collect her first-morning urine and add equal amounts of baking soda to it. If the urine fizzes, it could indicate a boy, and if it doesn’t fizz, it is a girl. The test is based on a claim that the hormone levels associated with the sex of a baby alter the pH level of the urine. However, the pH levels of the urine can be affected by many other factors such as hydration levels and diet. Hence, the baking soda gender test is unreliable in determining a baby’s sex.

3. How does baking soda help vaginal itching during pregnancy?

Baking soda has antifungal properties due to its alkalineiSubstance with pH value greater than seven that is inhospitable for fungi nature (8) However, when used to treat vaginal infection, baking soda encourages optimal vaginal pH balance, thus creating an unsuitable living environment for the microorganisms.

4. Can I brush my teeth with baking soda during pregnancy?

You can use toothpastes that contain baking soda to brush your teeth during pregnancy as baking soda is less abrasive in nature when used on hard surfaces such as enamel and dentin (4) (10).

Baking soda is present in most households and is used to bake delicious cakes and other delicacies. It is a versatile ingredient that can also be used as medicine, cleaning agent, and much more. Using baking soda in moderate amounts would cause no harm in pregnancy. There are no adverse effects on maternal health from handling baking soda, and consuming them in limited amounts is safe. You can ask your healthcare provider for tips on the safe handling and usage of baking soda during pregnancy.

Infographic: Common And Pregnancy-Specific Advantages Of Baking Soda

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a leavening agent in cooking and baking. It predominantly contains high amounts of sodium. Baking soda is a versatile ingredient that can be useful in various ways. Scroll through the infographic below to discover the uses of baking soda for pregnant women and also generally.

general and pregnancy related benefits of baking soda (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Is It Safe To Use Baking Soda During Pregnancy?

Baking Soda During Pregnancy_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team


Baking soda is a versatile ingredient with many unexpected benefits. Learn how it can help you in this video!

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Heartburn during pregnancy.
    https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/heartburn-during-pregnancy/
  2. Antacids.
    https://iffgd.org/manage-your-health/diet-and-treatments/antacids/
  3. Milton W Musaba et al.; (2019); Effect of preoperative bicarbonate infusion on maternal and perinatal outcomes of obstructed labour in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6502014/
  4. Give Your Baby the Best Possible Start.
    https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/Pages/Protect-Tiny-Teeth.aspx
  5. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) During Pregnancy.
    https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aa130363
  6. 8.4% Sodium Bicarbonate Injection.
    https://www.fda.gov/media/127971/download
  7. Michele Ondeck and Judith Focareta; (2009); Environmental Hazards Education for Childbirth Educators.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776525/
  8. V Letscher-Bru et al.; (2013); Antifungal activity of sodium bicarbonate against fungal agents causing superficial infections.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22991095/
  9. Pica Cravings During Pregnancy.
    https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/unusual-cravings-pica/
  10. Anderson T. Haraand Cecilia P. Turssi; (2017); Baking soda as an abrasive in toothpastes.
    https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30812-7/fulltext

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Dr. Neharika Malhotra
Dr. Neharika MalhotraMD
Dr. Neharika Malhotra is a practicing obstetrician at Malhotra Nursing and Maternity Home and an infertility consultant at Rainbow IVF, Agra. She has more than 12 years of experience in Ob/Gyn. Dr. Malhotra is an active member of RCOG, FOGSI, and several other institutions and has been the youngest chairperson of FOGSI.

Read full bio of Dr. Neharika Malhotra
  • Dr. Matthew Casavant
    Dr. Matthew CasavantPhysician, Ob/Gyn Dr. Matthew Casavant is the founding physician of South Lake OB/GYN & Advanced Surgery. He received his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in South Florida and completed his residency as an Ob/Gyn at St. Vincent’s /Mercy Hospital in Toledo, OH. Dr. Casavant also holds a BS degree in Micro and Molecular Biology.
    Dr. Matthew Casavant is the founding physician of South Lake OB/GYN & Advanced Surgery. He received his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in South Florida and completed his residency as an Ob/Gyn at St. Vincent’s /Mercy Hospital in Toledo, OH. Dr. Casavant also holds a BS degree in Micro and Molecular Biology.
Anshuman Mohapatra
Anshuman MohapatraM.Tech (Biotechnology)
Anshuman Mohapatra is a biotechnology scientist with more than six years of research experience in analytical chemistry and biotechnology. He has submitted his PhD thesis at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) and served as a research fellow (JRF/SRF) during his PhD tenure.

Read full bio of Anshuman Mohapatra
Rebecca Malachi
Rebecca MalachiBSc
Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

Read full bio of Rebecca Malachi
Dr. Joyani Das
Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD
Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

Read full bio of Dr. Joyani Das
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