Heartburn at 36 weeks: what to know

A burning feeling behind the breastbone or a sour taste after eating can occur when stomach contents move upwards. Smaller meals, staying upright after food, and discussing pregnancy-suitable treatment with a clinician or pharmacist can help.

Pregnancy hormones can relax the muscular valve between the stomach and oesophagus. At 36 weeks, the growing uterus also raises pressure inside the abdomen, making reflux easier, particularly after a large meal or when lying down.

Heartburn describes the symptom; acid reflux describes stomach contents flowing upwards. The discomfort may rise from the upper abdomen towards the throat and can be accompanied by belching, regurgitation, or a sour taste.

Try smaller, more frequent meals and notice whether rich, spicy, acidic, or fatty foods trigger symptoms. Avoid lying flat soon after eating, sit upright during meals, and raise your upper body comfortably for sleep rather than bending only at the waist.

Before using an antacid, alginate, herbal remedy, or acid-reducing medicine, check with your maternity clinician or pharmacist that the product and timing suit pregnancy and your other medicines. Do not stop prescribed treatment without advice.

Seek urgent medical help for severe or persistent chest pain, breathing difficulty, faintness, sweating, pain spreading to the arm, jaw, shoulder, or back, vomiting blood, or black stools. These features should not be assumed to be heartburn.

Contact your maternity team promptly if upper abdominal pain is strong or persistent, especially with a severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, vomiting, reduced fetal movement, contractions, vaginal bleeding, or leaking fluid. Arrange routine advice if symptoms keep returning, disturb sleep, make swallowing difficult, or prevent normal eating and drinking.

Ask whether your symptom pattern fits uncomplicated reflux, which non-medicine measures are suitable for you, and which products can be taken alongside iron or other prescriptions. Mention the location and timing of pain, food triggers, regurgitation, swallowing trouble, vomiting, and any pregnancy warning signs.