What should you know about heartburn and gas during pregnancy?

Pregnancy hormones can slow digestion and relax the muscle between the stomach and food pipe. As the pregnancy progresses, pressure from the growing uterus may also make reflux, burping and fullness more noticeable. Heartburn may be worse after meals or when lying down. These symptoms do not by themselves show that there is a problem with the pregnancy, but upper abdominal pain, persistent vomiting or feeling very unwell needs assessment. Acid reflux, gastritis and a hiatus hernia can also cause similar symptoms.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly, and stay upright after eating. Avoid lying down soon after food and identify personal triggers such as spicy meals, rich foods or fizzy drinks. Ask your maternity clinician or pharmacist before using an antacid, alginate, antiflatulent product or acid reflux medication; some ingredients are unsuitable at particular stages or may interfere with other medicines. Do not stop prescribed treatment without advice. Keep a note of timing, foods, severity and any associated symptoms.

Seek urgent help for severe chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, vomiting blood, black stools, or sudden severe upper abdominal pain. Contact your maternity team promptly if heartburn comes with a severe headache, vision changes, marked swelling, reduced fetal movement, persistent vomiting or a general sense that something is wrong. Arrange review if swallowing becomes difficult or symptoms prevent eating, drinking or sleeping.

Ask which over-the-counter products are suitable for your stage of pregnancy, how to space them from supplements, and whether your symptom pattern needs examination.