What should you know about heartburn and vomiting blood during pregnancy?

Pregnancy can relax the valve between the stomach and oesophagus, allowing acid to move upward and cause burning discomfort. Repeated or forceful vomiting can irritate or tear small blood vessels in the throat or oesophagus. Blood may look bright red, dark or like coffee grounds. Bleeding can also come from an ulcer, inflammation or another digestive problem. Oesophageal cancer and stomach cancer are uncommon explanations, but persistent or unexplained bleeding still requires assessment rather than self-diagnosis.

Contact your maternity unit, obstetric team or urgent medical service now and describe the colour and amount of blood, how often it happened and whether vomiting continues. Do not take an over-the-counter acid medicine, anti-inflammatory painkiller or herbal product without checking that it is suitable in pregnancy. Bring a list of medicines and mention dizziness, abdominal pain, black stools, reduced urination or difficulty keeping fluids down.

Call emergency services for more than a small streak of blood, repeated bloody vomit, coffee-ground material, faintness, confusion, fast breathing, severe weakness, severe abdominal or chest pain, or black tar-like stools. These signs can indicate significant bleeding or dehydration and should not wait for a routine antenatal visit.

Ask what may have caused the bleeding, whether you need blood tests or digestive assessment, and which heartburn treatments are safe for you. Confirm how to maintain fluids and nutrition, which warning signs require hospital care and how your pregnancy will be monitored.