What should you know about effects of heartburn during pregnancy?

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the stomach and oesophagus. As the uterus grows, pressure on the stomach may make reflux easier, particularly after a large meal or when lying down. Symptoms can include burning behind the breastbone, an acidic taste, belching or discomfort after eating. Heartburn itself does not mean the baby is being harmed, but severe or unusual symptoms need assessment because chest and upper-abdominal symptoms can have other causes.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly and remain upright after eating. Avoid lying down soon after food and notice whether spicy, fatty or acidic foods, caffeine or late meals trigger symptoms. Raise the upper body during sleep if advised. Ask a pharmacist, midwife or doctor before using an antacid or acid reflux medication, because pregnancy changes which products are suitable and how they should be taken.

Seek urgent help for chest pain with breathlessness, fainting, sweating or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Contact your maternity team promptly for severe upper-abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, difficulty swallowing, vomiting blood, black stools, or heartburn that is persistent despite the measures advised. These symptoms may need a different assessment from ordinary reflux.

Ask which medicines are suitable at your stage of pregnancy, whether your symptoms fit acid reflux, and how to distinguish them from gastritis, a hiatus hernia or peptic ulcer. Mention any medicines, supplements and warning symptoms before starting treatment.