Dyspepsia in pregnancy: treatment and safety

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the stomach and gullet, while the growing uterus can increase pressure on the stomach. This may cause fullness, burping, nausea, burning or sour fluid. Reflux, gastritis, gallstones, hiatus hernia and peptic ulcer disease can cause similar symptoms, so severe or unusual symptoms need a proper assessment. Pregnancy changes how medicines are selected; a product that helped before pregnancy may not be suitable now.

Try small, frequent meals, remain upright after eating, and avoid lying down soon after food. Raise your head and shoulders for sleep if night symptoms disturb you. Identify personal triggers rather than excluding nutritious foods broadly. Check every antacid, acid-reducing medicine, herbal product and painkiller with your maternity team, doctor or pharmacist. Give them your pregnancy stage and a full list of medicines so they can recommend an appropriate option.

Contact your maternity team urgently for severe upper abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, vomiting blood, black stools, severe headache, visual changes or sudden swelling. Seek emergency care for chest pressure or breathing difficulty. Arrange review when symptoms are persistent, interfere with eating or sleep, or do not improve with advised measures.

Ask which treatments are suitable at your pregnancy stage, how to space them from supplements, whether another condition needs checking, and which warning signs require same-day advice.