Acid reflux during pregnancy: what to know

Burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, burping, or fluid rising into the throat may become more noticeable after eating or while lying down. A maternity clinician or pharmacist can help select a remedy that fits your stage of pregnancy and other medicines.

Pregnancy hormones can relax the muscular valve between the oesophagus and stomach. As the uterus grows, pressure within the abdomen can also make stomach contents travel upwards. This irritation causes heartburn and regurgitation; it does not mean the pregnancy is unhealthy.

Reflux may also contribute to a cough or disturbed sleep. Keeping track of meals, posture, and symptoms can reveal personal triggers without unnecessarily restricting a balanced diet.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly, and remain upright after food. Reduce only the foods that consistently bring on symptoms; common personal triggers include rich, spicy, acidic, or caffeinated items. At night, raise the upper body with a wedge or by adjusting the bed rather than stacking pillows, which can bend the waist.

Check before taking an antacid, alginate, acid-reducing medicine, herbal product, or bicarbonate remedy. Product ingredients differ, and timing can matter because some remedies interfere with iron, folic acid, or other tablets.

Arrange medical advice if symptoms are frequent, disrupt eating or sleep, persist despite sensible changes, or require repeated medicine. Seek urgent assessment for severe or unexplained chest tightness, trouble breathing, faintness, vomiting blood, black stools, painful or difficult swallowing, persistent vomiting, or severe abdominal pain. New chest discomfort should not automatically be treated as reflux.

Ask which non-prescription products suit your pregnancy, how to separate them from supplements, and whether a current medicine could be worsening reflux. Mention where the discomfort occurs, whether swallowing is affected, what reaches the throat, and which measures you have already tried.