Foods that help with pregnancy heartburn

Pregnancy-related hormonal changes can relax the valve between the stomach and food pipe, while the growing uterus can increase pressure on the stomach. This may make burning, sour taste, or regurgitation more noticeable, especially after a large meal or when lying down.

Heartburn is common in pregnancy, but persistent symptoms can overlap with acid reflux or other conditions such as gastritis, hiatus hernia, or peptic ulcer.

Try porridge, rice, potatoes, bananas, melons, cooked vegetables, soup, and lean protein such as chicken, fish, beans, or tofu. Eat slowly, use smaller meals, and stay upright after eating. Limit foods that trigger your symptoms, which may include spicy or fried meals, tomato, citrus, chocolate, mint, caffeine, fizzy drinks, and rich sauces. Keep fluids steady rather than drinking a large volume with a meal. Do not start herbs, supplements, or over-the-counter medicine without checking pregnancy suitability.

Seek urgent care for chest pressure, trouble breathing, faintness, vomiting blood, black stools, or severe upper-abdominal pain. Contact your maternity team promptly for persistent vomiting, difficulty swallowing, inability to keep fluids down, or severe symptoms with headache, vision changes, swelling, or feeling very unwell. Ask before using acid reflux medication in pregnancy.

Ask which antacid or acid reflux medication is suitable for your stage of pregnancy, whether your symptoms need assessment, and how to maintain nutrition if many foods are triggering discomfort.