Heartburn at 17 weeks pregnant

It may feel like burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, or fluid rising toward the throat. Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the stomach and oesophagus, allowing acid to travel upwards.

Symptoms may be more noticeable after eating, when bending over, or while lying down. Larger or rich meals, spicy foods, caffeine, chocolate, and acidic foods can trigger discomfort in some people, but triggers vary. Heartburn reflects irritation from reflux rather than a problem with the baby.

Similar upper-abdominal discomfort can have other causes, so mention persistent, changing, or hard-to-control symptoms at your antenatal appointment.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly, and remain upright after food. Avoid eating close to bedtime, loosen tight clothing around the waist, and notice whether a particular food reliably brings symptoms on. Raising the head and shoulders when resting may reduce night-time reflux.

Check with a pharmacist, midwife, or doctor before taking an antacid, alginate, acid-reducing medicine, or herbal remedy. Some products are suitable during pregnancy, while the ingredients and your other medicines need to be considered. Do not stop a prescribed treatment without discussing it with the prescriber.

Seek urgent medical care for severe or crushing chest pain, breathing difficulty, fainting, vomiting blood, black stools, or intense upper-abdominal pain. Contact your maternity team promptly if pain accompanies vaginal bleeding, fluid loss, fever, repeated vomiting, severe headache, vision changes, or sudden swelling.

Arrange a routine review if heartburn is frequent, disrupts sleep, causes trouble swallowing, leads to ongoing vomiting, or continues despite sensible self-care. A clinician can confirm the likely cause and choose a pregnancy-appropriate treatment.

Ask which non-prescription products are compatible with your pregnancy and current medicines, how to space an antacid from supplements, and whether your symptom pattern needs examination. Bring the names or packaging of anything you already take.