Food good for heartburn during pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the stomach and food pipe, while the growing uterus can increase pressure on the stomach. Acid reflux is a common explanation, but gastritis, a hiatus hernia, or a peptic ulcer can also cause burning discomfort.

Notice which foods and portions trigger you rather than following a rigid avoidance list. Spicy or fatty meals, chocolate, caffeine, citrus, and fizzy drinks bother some people, while others tolerate them. Heartburn itself is not a reason to restrict a nutritious pregnancy diet unnecessarily.

Try smaller meals spaced through the day, eat slowly, and choose mild options such as porridge, rice, vegetables, yoghurt, or lean protein if they suit you. Avoid lying down soon after eating; raising your upper body at rest may help at night.

Keep a simple trigger note and maintain fluids. Ask a pharmacist, midwife, or doctor before using antacids or other acid reflux medication, because pregnancy changes which products and ingredients are appropriate. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice.

Contact your maternity team or clinician if symptoms are frequent, severe, interfere with eating or sleep, or do not improve with routine changes. Seek urgent help for chest pressure, breathlessness, vomiting blood, black stools, severe upper-abdominal pain, trouble swallowing, or repeated vomiting.

Ask which foods or medicines are suitable for your stage of pregnancy, whether another condition needs checking, how to protect sleep and nutrition, and when heartburn symptoms require review.