Heartburn in the Last Trimester: What to Know

Heartburn is a burning feeling behind the breastbone or in the upper abdomen. Stomach contents can move back into the food pipe when the lower oesophageal valve relaxes. Progesterone and physical pressure from the enlarging uterus can both contribute, especially after eating or when lying down.

You may also notice a sour taste, burping, a feeling of fullness, or irritation in the throat. These symptoms can come and go and do not by themselves confirm another digestive condition. Heartburn is different from severe or unexplained chest pain, which should be assessed urgently.

Try eating smaller meals more often and allow time for digestion before lying down. Reduce foods or drinks that clearly trigger symptoms, such as very fatty, spicy, acidic, or caffeinated choices. Sip fluids between meals if large drinks with food worsen fullness.

Sit upright during and after meals, and raise the upper part of your body when resting at night. Avoid tight clothing across the abdomen. Before taking an antacid, alginate, acid-reducing medicine, or herbal product, check with your maternity clinician or pharmacist; some products are unsuitable during pregnancy, and medicines may need to be separated from supplements or other treatments.

If symptoms occur often, disrupt sleep, or do not improve with these changes, a clinician can choose an appropriate pregnancy-safe option and check for another cause.

Seek urgent medical help for crushing or persistent chest pain, pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or shoulder, trouble breathing, fainting, or sudden sweating. Contact your maternity team promptly for severe upper-abdominal pain, a severe headache, visual changes, marked swelling, repeated vomiting, vomiting blood, black stools, or difficulty swallowing.

Arrange a clinical review if heartburn is new and severe, keeps returning despite sensible measures, causes poor intake, or is accompanied by weight loss or signs of bleeding. During pregnancy, symptoms that feel different from your usual heartburn deserve attention rather than self-treatment alone.

Ask which over-the-counter products are suitable for your stage of pregnancy, how to time them with iron or other supplements, and what symptoms should prompt an urgent call. Mention how often the burning occurs, whether it wakes you, which foods trigger it, and any pain, vomiting, swallowing difficulty, or bowel changes.