Acid reflux at night during pregnancy

Tell a pharmacist, midwife or doctor that you are pregnant before taking a reflux medicine because not every antacid or herbal product is suitable, and some can interfere with pregnancy supplements.

Pregnancy hormones can relax the muscular valve between the stomach and oesophagus. As the uterus grows, pressure on the stomach can also encourage its contents to move upward. Lying down removes gravity's assistance, which is why burning or regurgitation may become especially noticeable after bedtime.

Possible features include burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, burping, bloating, nausea or food coming back up. Reflux can occur alongside pregnancy-related nausea, but blood in vomit, severe pain or inability to keep fluids down is not something to manage as ordinary heartburn.

Try smaller meals, remain upright while eating and afterwards, and leave several hours between the evening meal and bed. Reduce only foods and drinks that clearly trigger your symptoms. Prop up your head and shoulders with a wedge or raised bed head, and consider sleeping on your left side.

If these measures are insufficient, ask a pharmacist, midwife or doctor to select a pregnancy-appropriate antacid, alginate or acid-reducing medicine. Mention iron, folic acid and every other medicine or supplement you take so they can explain safe spacing and avoid ingredient duplication.

Contact your maternity team or doctor if reflux is severe, repeatedly disrupts sleep, persists despite advised treatment, or comes with difficulty swallowing, persistent cough, repeated vomiting, weight loss, abdominal pain or swelling. They can check whether reflux fully explains the symptoms and adjust treatment.

Seek urgent help for vomiting blood, black stool, fainting, severe chest or abdominal pain, breathing difficulty, signs of dehydration or being unable to keep fluids down. Follow your maternity service's urgent advice for any additional pregnancy concerns such as bleeding, contractions or reduced fetal movement.

Ask which product and dose suit your stage of pregnancy, when to take it relative to iron or folic acid, and what to try if it does not control night symptoms. Describe vomiting, swallowing difficulty or pain separately rather than grouping everything under heartburn.