Heartburn at 30 Weeks Pregnant: What to Know

Pregnancy hormones can relax the muscular valve between the stomach and oesophagus. At the same time, the growing uterus places more pressure on the stomach. These changes make it easier for stomach contents to move upwards, causing a burning feeling behind the breastbone, a sour taste, burping, or discomfort after eating. Acid reflux commonly presents with heartburn, especially after a large meal or when lying down.

Typical heartburn may be uncomfortable without harming the baby. Symptoms that feel different from your usual pattern, keep worsening, or prevent you from eating and drinking deserve clinical advice because chest or upper-abdominal discomfort can have causes other than reflux.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly, and remain upright after food. Leave some time between the evening meal and lying down. Notice whether rich, spicy, acidic, or caffeinated foods trigger your symptoms, then limit the specific triggers rather than restricting your diet broadly. Raising your upper body when resting may help; sleeping on your left side can also reduce reflux for some people. Avoid tight clothing around the abdomen.

If these measures are not enough, ask your obstetric clinician or pharmacist which antacid, alginate, or acid-reducing medicine is suitable during pregnancy and how to separate it from prenatal vitamins or other medicines. Do not start a remedy simply because it is sold without a prescription, and do not stop prescribed treatment without advice.

Seek urgent medical help for chest pain that is severe, crushing, persistent, or accompanied by breathlessness, faintness, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or shoulder. Vomiting blood, black stools, trouble swallowing, repeated vomiting, or being unable to keep fluids down also needs prompt assessment.

Contact your maternity unit urgently if upper-abdominal or rib pain occurs with a severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, marked nausea, or feeling very unwell. These are pregnancy warning signs and should not be assumed to be heartburn. Arrange a routine review if symptoms frequently disturb sleep, continue despite sensible changes, or require regular medicine.

Ask whether your symptom pattern fits reflux, which treatment is compatible with your pregnancy and current medicines, and when you should take it in relation to iron or prenatal supplements. Mention any swallowing difficulty, vomiting, dark stools, upper-abdominal pain, or symptoms triggered by exertion.