Heartburn at 20 Weeks: What to Know

It typically feels like burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, or food and fluid rising toward the throat. Symptoms may be more noticeable after eating, when bending, or while lying down.

Pregnancy hormones can relax the muscular valve between the stomach and oesophagus. This makes it easier for acidic stomach contents to move upwards and irritate the oesophagus.

As the uterus grows, changing pressure in the abdomen may add to reflux. Heartburn describes the burning symptom; acid reflux describes the upward movement that causes it. The sensation comes from the digestive tract, not the heart.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly, and remain upright after eating. Avoid lying down soon after dinner. Notice whether rich, spicy, acidic, or fried foods, chocolate, caffeine, or fizzy drinks trigger your symptoms; triggers differ between people.

For symptoms at night, raise your upper body rather than adding pillows beneath only your head, which can bend the waist. Loose clothing around the abdomen may also help. Check with a pharmacist, midwife, or doctor before using an antacid or other reflux medicine during pregnancy, because some products or ingredients may not be suitable.

Seek urgent medical help for severe chest pain, chest pressure, trouble breathing, fainting, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm, back, neck, or jaw. Do not assume these symptoms are indigestion.

Contact your maternity team promptly if the discomfort is severe or persistent, swallowing is painful or difficult, you vomit blood, pass black stools, cannot keep fluids down, or have upper abdominal pain with a severe headache, vision changes, or sudden swelling. Arrange a routine review when heartburn repeatedly disrupts sleep or does not settle with practical measures.

Tell your clinician when the burning occurs, what seems to trigger it, whether acid reaches your mouth, and what you have already tried. Ask which pregnancy-compatible medicine is appropriate, how and when to take it, and whether it should be separated from iron or other prescribed tablets.