What should you know about extreme heartburn early pregnancy?

Heartburn is a burning feeling caused when stomach contents move upwards into the food pipe. Pregnancy-related hormonal changes can relax the valve between the stomach and food pipe, while a fuller abdomen may increase pressure. Acid reflux commonly presents with burning after meals, sour fluid in the mouth, belching or symptoms that worsen when lying down. Gastritis, a hiatus hernia or a peptic ulcer can also cause upper-abdominal discomfort, so the sensation should not be self-diagnosed.

Tell your clinician about vomiting, difficulty swallowing, previous digestive disease and every medicine or supplement you use. Pregnancy changes which treatments are suitable.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly, and remain upright after eating. Avoid lying down soon after food; raise your upper body at rest if that is comfortable. Notice whether spicy, fatty or acidic foods, chocolate, caffeine or large late meals trigger symptoms. Do not start an antacid or acid-reducing product without checking that it is appropriate in pregnancy; a clinician can recommend an option and timing.

Get urgent help for chest pain with breathlessness, faintness or sweating, vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, or inability to keep fluids down. Contact your maternity team soon if heartburn is worsening, interrupts sleep repeatedly, causes weight loss, or comes with severe headache, visual changes or swelling.

Could this be reflux or another digestive problem? Which food changes and medicines are suitable at my stage of pregnancy? Do my vomiting, swallowing symptoms or other pregnancy symptoms require an examination or tests?