Heartburn during the second trimester

During the second trimester, pregnancy hormones can relax the barrier between the stomach and food pipe. The growing uterus may add pressure, allowing acidic stomach contents to travel upward. You may feel burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste or repeated burping, especially after eating or bending. This symptom pattern can occur with [Acid Reflux](/conditions/acid-reflux/), but heartburn alone cannot identify its cause.

Choose smaller portions and stay upright while and after eating. Avoid lying down soon after a meal, and identify personal triggers rather than removing many foods unnecessarily. Looser clothing around the abdomen may feel more comfortable. For night symptoms, ask your maternity team about safe positioning and raising the upper body. Before using an antacid, alginate, herbal product or other medicine, ask a pharmacist or clinician to check whether it suits your pregnancy. They can explain [Acid Reflux Medication](/treatments/medical-management/acid-reflux-medication/).

Arrange advice if symptoms are persistent, worsening, interfere with sleep or make it hard to eat and drink. Seek urgent care for severe chest pain, breathing difficulty, fainting, vomiting blood, black stools or food sticking when you swallow. Severe upper abdominal pain with headache, vision changes or sudden swelling needs prompt pregnancy assessment.

Could my symptoms be reflux or something else? Which treatment is suitable at this stage of pregnancy? What should I do if symptoms continue despite changes? Could [Gastritis](/conditions/gastritis/) or [Peptic Ulcer](/conditions/peptic-ulcer/) explain the pattern?