How to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy

Pregnancy-related hormonal changes can relax the valve between the stomach and food pipe. As pregnancy progresses, pressure in the abdomen can also encourage stomach contents to move upward. This can cause a burning feeling behind the breastbone or a sour taste. Acid reflux is a common explanation, but persistent or unusual symptoms still deserve individual assessment.

Try smaller meals spaced through the day, eat slowly, and remain upright after food. Avoid lying down soon after eating; raising the upper body for sleep may help night symptoms. Keep note of triggers such as rich meals, spicy foods, or drinks that worsen burning. Do not start an antacid or other acid reflux medication without checking its ingredients and suitability with your obstetric or maternity team. See [Heartburn](/symptoms/heartburn/) and [Acid Reflux](/conditions/acid-reflux/) for related explanations.

Contact your maternity team or doctor if symptoms are persistent, severe, interfere with eating or sleeping, or do not respond to agreed measures. Seek urgent help for chest pain with breathlessness or faintness, vomiting blood, black stools, repeated vomiting, severe upper-abdominal pain, or difficulty swallowing. A pregnancy clinician can separate reflux from other causes and recommend an appropriate option.

Ask which food changes are reasonable for you, whether a medicine or supplement may worsen symptoms, and which pregnancy-compatible treatment can be used. Mention your stage of pregnancy, other medicines, and whether symptoms happen after meals or when lying down.