Heartburn during the last trimester

The growing uterus can press against the stomach, while pregnancy hormones may allow the valve between the stomach and food pipe to open more easily. Burning after meals, sour fluid, throat irritation, or symptoms that worsen when lying down can follow. Acid reflux is a common cause of this pattern, but gastritis, a hiatus hernia, or a peptic ulcer may also cause discomfort. Heartburn itself does not show whether labour is near or predict when it will begin.

Try smaller meals spread through the day, eat slowly, remain upright after eating, and avoid foods that consistently trigger symptoms. Leave time between your evening meal and lying down. Ask your maternity team how to position yourself comfortably for sleep. If symptoms continue, ask a clinician or pharmacist about an acid reflux medication that is suitable in pregnancy; do not start a product simply because it was safe for someone else.

Contact your maternity team if heartburn is difficult to control, stops you eating or sleeping, or changes suddenly. Seek urgent help for chest pain with breathlessness, fainting, vomiting blood, black stools, severe upper-abdominal pain, severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, or reduced fetal movement. These signs require prompt review rather than home treatment for reflux.

Ask which treatment is suitable at your stage of pregnancy, whether another medicine could be causing irritation, and which symptoms require an immediate call. Tell the clinician about your meals, sleep disruption, previous digestive problems, and all medicines or supplements.