GERD in pregnancy: symptoms and care

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the stomach and oesophagus, while the growing uterus can increase pressure around the stomach. Reflux may feel like burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, food or fluid coming back up, throat irritation, cough, or difficulty sleeping. Symptoms may change as pregnancy progresses.

These symptoms can overlap with other conditions. Chest tightness, abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or feeling unwell should not automatically be attributed to GERD. Tell your maternity clinician about symptoms that are new, severe, or changing.

Choose smaller meals, eat slowly, stay upright after eating, and avoid lying down soon after a meal. Identify personal triggers and keep nourishing foods in your routine. Raising the head of the bed may help night symptoms; use a safe, stable arrangement rather than piling loose pillows.

Ask your obstetric clinician or pharmacist before taking an antacid, alginate, or acid-reducing medicine, including products bought without a prescription. They can consider pregnancy stage, other medicines, and conditions such as anaemia or high blood pressure.

Get emergency help for severe chest pressure or tightness, breathlessness, faintness, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or shoulder. Urgent care is also needed for blood in vomit, black stools, severe abdominal pain, or inability to keep fluids down.

Contact your maternity team promptly if vomiting is persistent, swallowing is painful or difficult, symptoms are severe, or reflux prevents sleep, eating, or drinking. A review can also check whether cough or other symptoms have a different cause.

Ask which lifestyle measures suit your pregnancy, which medicines are appropriate, and how to separate ordinary reflux from warning signs. Mention every medicine, supplement, and remedy you use, plus the timing of meals and symptoms.