Heartburn at 38 Weeks: What to Know

Heartburn at 38 weeks is common as pregnancy hormones relax the valve above the stomach and the growing uterus increases pressure on it. Acid can then travel into the oesophagus, causing burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, burping, or discomfort after eating or lying down. Heartburn by itself does not mean labour has started.

Late in pregnancy, there is less room for the stomach to expand. A large meal, bending forward, or lying flat soon after eating can push stomach contents upwards. Spicy or fatty foods, chocolate, caffeine, citrus, and tomato-based meals trigger symptoms for some people, but triggers vary. Keeping a brief food-and-symptom note can reveal your own pattern.

Choose smaller meals, eat slowly, and remain upright after food. Leave space between your evening meal and bedtime, raise your upper body when resting, and try sleeping on your left side. Sip fluids between meals if large drinks with food make symptoms worse. Avoid only the foods that clearly trigger you so that your diet remains varied.

If these measures are not enough, ask your maternity clinician or pharmacist which antacid or alginate is suitable during pregnancy and how to separate it from iron or other medicines. Do not start a reflux medicine or use a home remedy containing baking soda without checking first.

Seek emergency help for chest pressure or severe chest pain, especially with breathlessness, sweating, faintness, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, shoulder, or back. Contact your maternity unit urgently if upper abdominal or chest discomfort comes with a severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, vomiting, vaginal bleeding, reduced baby movements, or regular painful contractions.

Arrange medical advice if swallowing is painful or difficult, you vomit blood, pass black stools, cannot keep fluids down, lose weight unexpectedly, or symptoms remain troublesome despite suitable treatment. These features deserve assessment rather than being assumed to be ordinary reflux.

Ask whether your symptom pattern fits reflux, which treatment is compatible with your pregnancy and current medicines, and when persistent symptoms should be reviewed again. Mention exactly where the discomfort is, what brings it on, whether swallowing is affected, and any headache, visual disturbance, swelling, contractions, bleeding, or change in baby movements.