Having heartburn during pregnancy: what to know

Heartburn is a burning feeling behind the breastbone, sometimes with a sour taste or fluid rising into the throat. Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the stomach and food pipe, while the growing uterus can increase pressure on the stomach. These changes can make acid reflux more noticeable, particularly after meals or when lying down. Heartburn does not by itself indicate a problem with the pregnancy.

A clinician considers the timing, severity, swallowing symptoms, vomiting, and any previous digestive condition such as gastritis, a hiatus hernia, or peptic ulcer. Symptoms that are new, unusually intense, or unlike your usual reflux deserve individual advice.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly, and remain upright after eating. Limit foods or drinks that clearly trigger symptoms, and avoid lying down soon after a meal. Raising the upper body while resting may help. Do not start an antacid or acid reflux medication without checking that it is suitable for your pregnancy and other medicines. A pharmacist, obstetric clinician, or doctor can guide the choice.

Contact your maternity team promptly if heartburn prevents eating or drinking, causes repeated vomiting, or comes with painful or difficult swallowing, vomiting blood, black stools, severe upper-abdominal pain, severe headache, vision changes, or sudden swelling. Chest pain with breathlessness, sweating, or faintness needs emergency assessment rather than being assumed to be reflux.

Ask which lifestyle changes fit your symptoms, whether a pregnancy-suitable medicine is appropriate, how to space it from supplements, and which symptoms should lead you to contact the maternity team.