Acid reflux at 31 weeks pregnant

Stomach contents can then travel upward and irritate the oesophagus. You may notice burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, burping, nausea, bloating or food coming back up, particularly after eating or when lying down.

Reflux describes the movement of stomach contents into the oesophagus; heartburn is the burning sensation it can produce. Symptoms may appear soon after food or later in the evening. A cough, throat irritation or disturbed sleep can accompany reflux, but chest discomfort should not automatically be attributed to digestion when it feels unusual or severe.

Keep note of triggers, timing, whether acid reaches your mouth and whether swallowing is difficult. Persistent vomiting, abdominal pain or a recurring cough changes what your clinician may need to assess.

Choose smaller meals, eat slowly and stay upright during and after eating. Avoid lying down soon after a meal. Identify personal food or drink triggers rather than removing broad food groups; rich, fatty or spicy foods and caffeine bother some people. Raising your head and shoulders for sleep and lying on your left side may limit night-time reflux.

A pharmacist, midwife or doctor can recommend an antacid, alginate or another acid-reducing medicine that is suitable during pregnancy. Tell the pharmacist you are pregnant and list all medicines and supplements. Some antacids interfere with absorption of iron or folic acid, so check how far apart to take them. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without speaking to its prescriber.

Arrange clinical advice if self-care is not controlling symptoms, reflux repeatedly disrupts eating or sleep, swallowing becomes difficult or painful, vomiting continues, you lose weight, or you develop persistent hoarseness, cough, upper abdominal pain or swelling. Vomit containing blood or material resembling coffee grounds, or black sticky stools, needs urgent assessment.

Seek emergency help for chest pressure or tightness, pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back or neck, significant breathlessness, fainting, sweating or a fast irregular heartbeat. Contact your maternity unit urgently for severe or persistent upper abdominal pain, severe headache, vision changes, sudden facial or hand swelling, vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, regular tightenings, or reduced or changed baby movements.

Tell your clinician which meals and positions trigger symptoms, what you have already tried, and every prescription, non-prescription medicine and supplement you take. Ask which reflux treatment suits your pregnancy, when to take it in relation to iron or folic acid, and what change should prompt a review.