Heartburn and indigestion in pregnancy

Heartburn is a burning feeling behind the breastbone or in the throat when stomach contents move upwards. Indigestion may feel like fullness, bloating, burping, nausea, or discomfort in the upper abdomen. Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the oesophagus and stomach and slow digestion. As the uterus grows, it can also put pressure on the stomach, making symptoms more noticeable after meals or when lying down.

These symptoms do not by themselves identify one specific condition. Indigestion can occur alongside acid reflux, while other causes of upper-abdominal discomfort include gallstones, gastritis, Helicobacter pylori infection, hiatus hernia, or peptic ulcer. A clinician can assess the pattern, examine you, and decide whether testing or treatment is appropriate.

Try smaller meals more often, eat slowly, and avoid lying down soon after eating. Notice whether fatty, spicy, acidic, or caffeinated foods make symptoms worse, and reduce those triggers if they affect you. Sitting upright during and after meals may limit backflow. Raising the head of the bed can help night-time symptoms; use a safe, stable arrangement rather than stacking loose pillows.

Ask your obstetrician, midwife, or pharmacist before taking an antacid, alginate, or other reflux treatment. Some products are suitable in pregnancy and some are not, and spacing certain antacids away from prescribed medicines may matter. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without checking first. Keeping a brief record of meals, timing, symptoms, and medicines can make the consultation more useful.

Contact your maternity team or doctor if symptoms are severe, persistent, worsening, or interfering with eating or sleep despite self-care. Arrange prompt assessment for repeated vomiting, difficulty or pain when swallowing, black stools, vomiting blood, unexplained weight loss, or significant upper-abdominal pain.

Seek urgent help for chest pressure or pain with breathlessness, sweating, faintness, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or shoulder. During pregnancy, severe pain under the ribs or in the upper abdomen, especially with a severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, or feeling very unwell, also needs urgent maternity assessment.

Ask which pregnancy-safe treatment fits your symptoms and how to take it with your other medicines. You can also ask whether your symptoms suggest reflux or another digestive problem, whether any examination or testing is needed, and what changes should prompt same-day contact with your maternity team.