Foods that may help acid reflux in pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the food pipe and stomach, while the growing uterus can increase pressure on the stomach. Reflux may feel like burning behind the breastbone, sour fluid in the mouth, or discomfort after meals. No single food works for everyone. Common triggers include large or fatty meals, chilli, acidic foods, chocolate, caffeine and fizzy drinks, but removing foods unnecessarily can make a pregnancy diet less balanced. Chest tightness or abdominal pain is not automatically reflux and deserves careful attention.

Try smaller meals more often, eat slowly and remain upright after eating. Choose foods such as porridge, rice, potatoes, vegetables, bananas, yoghurt or lean protein if they suit you. Keep a brief trigger diary rather than excluding many foods at once. Leave time between the evening meal and lying down, and raise the head of the bed if night symptoms disturb sleep. Check any antacid or reflux medicine with a midwife, obstetric clinician or pharmacist before use, including products bought without a prescription.

Seek medical advice if symptoms are frequent, severe, affecting eating or sleep, or not settling with routine changes. Get urgent help for chest pain or tightness with breathlessness, faintness or sweating, vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain, or repeated vomiting. Your clinician can distinguish reflux from another condition and choose pregnancy-appropriate treatment.

Ask which foods to keep, which medicines are suitable at your stage of pregnancy, and whether persistent cough or poor sleep needs a separate assessment.