Heartburn at 34 weeks pregnant: what to know

Pregnancy hormones can relax the muscular valve between the stomach and oesophagus. As the uterus enlarges, pressure on the stomach can also encourage acidic contents to move upwards. This may cause burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, burping, or discomfort after meals and when lying down. These symptoms fit acid reflux, but chest or upper-abdominal pain should not automatically be assumed to be heartburn.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly, and notice whether spicy, rich, acidic, or caffeinated foods trigger symptoms for you. Leave time between eating and lying down, remain upright after meals, and raise your upper body rather than only your head when sleeping. Loose clothing around the waist may reduce pressure.

If these measures are not enough, ask your pharmacist, GP, midwife, or obstetrician which antacid or alginate is suitable during pregnancy. Tell them about every medicine and supplement you take because antacids can affect how some products are absorbed. Do not start, stop, or change a prescribed acid-reducing medicine without checking with the clinician managing your pregnancy.

Contact your maternity team promptly for severe or persistent pain under the ribs or in the upper abdomen, especially with a severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, nausea, or feeling very unwell. Seek emergency help for chest pressure or pain with breathlessness, sweating, faintness, or pain spreading to the arm, back, neck, or jaw.

Arrange medical assessment if swallowing becomes difficult, food sticks, you repeatedly vomit, you vomit blood, pass black stools, lose weight without trying, or symptoms continue despite appropriate treatment. Contact your maternity unit immediately if your baby's movements are reduced or have changed from their usual pattern, whether or not heartburn is present.

Ask which non-prescription product is compatible with your pregnancy and current medicines, how to separate it from prenatal vitamins or other tablets, and what to do if symptoms wake you or occur after most meals. Mention the exact location and character of any pain so your clinician can distinguish reflux discomfort from symptoms needing examination.