Heartburn at 35 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy hormones relax the muscle that helps keep stomach contents down, while the growing uterus increases pressure on the stomach. Check with a maternity clinician or pharmacist before starting a medicine, because some products are unsuitable in pregnancy or can interfere with other medicines.

The burning feeling usually rises behind the breastbone and may be accompanied by a sour taste, burping, or food coming back into the throat. It can be more noticeable after a large meal, when bending, or in bed. Acid reflux commonly presents with heartburn; the symptom by itself does not show whether another digestive condition is present.

Try smaller meals spaced through the day, eat slowly, and identify foods that reliably trigger burning. Stay upright after eating, avoid a meal close to bedtime, and support your upper body in bed rather than lying completely flat. Loose clothing around the waist may reduce pressure.

If these changes are insufficient, ask your maternity clinician or pharmacist which antacid, alginate, or acid-reducing medicine is appropriate for you. Tell them about prenatal vitamins, iron, and every other medicine so doses can be safely spaced. Do not use baking soda as a home remedy.

Contact your maternity unit promptly for severe or persistent upper abdominal pain, particularly under the ribs, or pain with a severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, vomiting, or feeling very unwell. These symptoms should not be assumed to be ordinary heartburn.

Call emergency services for chest pressure with difficulty breathing, faintness, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or shoulder. Urgent assessment is also needed for vomiting blood or black stool. Contact maternity care as directed for reduced fetal movement, vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, or signs of labour.

Confirm which product is suitable during pregnancy, how to separate it from iron or other medicines, and what to do if night symptoms continue. Mention trouble swallowing, repeated vomiting, upper abdominal pain, or poor intake so your clinician can decide whether further assessment is needed.