Heartburn in the last month of pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the stomach and food pipe. As the uterus grows, pressure in the abdomen can push stomach contents upward, especially after meals or when reclining. The burning may rise into the chest or throat and may come with a sour taste. This pattern fits reflux, but severe or unusual symptoms should not automatically be explained by pregnancy.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly, and remain upright after eating. Avoid lying down soon after a meal and notice whether rich, spicy, acidic, or caffeinated foods trigger symptoms. Raise the upper body during rest in a comfortable, stable way. Before taking an antacid or other acid reflux medication, check with your maternity clinician or pharmacist because product ingredients and timing matter in pregnancy.

Get urgent help for chest pain with breathlessness, faintness, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Contact your maternity team promptly for severe upper-abdominal pain, severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, repeated vomiting, vomiting blood, black stools, difficulty swallowing, or heartburn that does not settle. These symptoms may need assessment for causes beyond routine reflux.

Ask which medicines are appropriate with your pregnancy, whether your symptoms could reflect another condition, and how to separate heartburn from labour or pregnancy warning signs. Bring a record of timing, food triggers, sleep disruption, and any medicines already used.