Bad heartburn at 34 weeks pregnant: relief and safety

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the stomach and food pipe, while the growing uterus can increase pressure after meals. Reflux may cause burning behind the breastbone, sour fluid in the throat, belching or symptoms after lying down. Gastritis, a hiatus hernia or an ulcer can produce similar discomfort, so the pattern matters.

Tell your clinician if pain is severe, steadily worsening, associated with repeated vomiting or located under the ribs. Chest pain can have causes other than heartburn and should not be self-diagnosed.

Choose smaller meals, eat slowly and remain upright after eating. Identify personal triggers such as fatty meals, spicy foods, citrus, chocolate or caffeinated drinks. Avoid tight clothing around the abdomen and ask your maternity clinician which antacid or reflux treatment is suitable. Do not use leftover medicines or herbal products without checking their ingredients.

Seek urgent help for crushing or spreading chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, vomiting blood, black stools, trouble swallowing or sudden severe upper-abdominal pain. Contact your maternity team promptly for persistent symptoms with severe headache, vision changes, swelling or feeling very unwell.

Ask which medicines are suitable at 34 weeks, how to separate them from supplements, and whether your symptoms suggest reflux or another condition. Mention vomiting, swallowing difficulty, weight change, dark stools and any medicines already tried.