How to get rid of heartburn while pregnant

Heartburn is a burning sensation that may travel from the upper abdomen or chest toward the throat. Pregnancy hormones can loosen the barrier at the top of the stomach, and the growing pregnancy can increase pressure on the stomach. Acid reflux commonly causes this pattern. Gastritis, a hiatus hernia, or another digestive problem may feel similar, so persistent symptoms should not be self-diagnosed.

Have modest portions, eat unhurriedly, and avoid bending or lying flat directly after meals. Keep the last meal comfortably before bedtime and raise your upper body if symptoms appear at night. Identify your own triggers rather than removing many foods at once; rich, spicy, or acidic foods can bother some people. Ask your obstetric team or pharmacist about acid reflux medication before use, including products you have taken before pregnancy. More detail is available under [Heartburn](/symptoms/heartburn/) and [Acid Reflux](/conditions/acid-reflux/).

Arrange a review if burning is troublesome despite these measures, repeatedly wakes you, or makes eating difficult. Get urgent care for chest pain with breathlessness, sweating, faintness, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Vomiting blood, black stools, repeated vomiting, severe upper-abdominal pain, or new difficulty swallowing also needs prompt attention.

Ask whether your symptoms are consistent with reflux, whether another medicine is contributing, and which treatment is suitable at your stage of pregnancy. Describe meal timing, night symptoms, and any nausea, vomiting, or swallowing change.