Heartburn during pregnancy: what to know

A burning chest sensation, sour taste, throat irritation, or regurgitation can all occur with heartburn. Pregnancy hormones may loosen the barrier between the stomach and food pipe, and the growing uterus can add pressure. Symptoms often follow meals or appear when resting flat. This does not establish a diagnosis: Acid Reflux is one possible explanation, while Gastritis can cause upper-abdominal discomfort. Note when the symptom occurs, whether swallowing is comfortable, and whether it improves after changing position.

Eat smaller amounts more often, avoid rushing meals, and stay upright afterwards. Leave time between eating and bedtime, and raise the upper body during sleep only in a comfortable, stable way. Limit personal triggers rather than following a restrictive diet. Ask before using an Acid Reflux Medication, herbal product, or antacid; a pharmacist can check pregnancy suitability and interactions. Continue prescribed medicines unless the clinician who prescribed them tells you otherwise.

Arrange a review if heartburn is persistent, prevents normal meals, repeatedly interrupts sleep, or comes with vomiting, poor intake, weight loss, or swallowing difficulty. Seek emergency care for crushing or severe chest pain, breathing difficulty, collapse, blood in vomit, or black stools. In pregnancy, contact the maternity service promptly for severe upper-abdominal pain with headache, visual disturbance, sudden swelling, or feeling seriously unwell.

Ask what treatment is suitable at your stage of pregnancy, whether another condition should be considered, and which symptoms require same-day advice. Share your meal timing, sleep pattern, pain, vomiting, and complete medicine and supplement list.