Heartburn management in pregnancy

Pregnancy can make reflux more noticeable as hormonal changes affect the valve between the stomach and food pipe, while the growing uterus changes pressure in the abdomen. Burning behind the breastbone, sour fluid in the mouth, and symptoms after meals can fit reflux. Pregnancy does not make every upper-abdominal or chest symptom heartburn, so severe, unusual, or rapidly changing discomfort needs assessment.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly, and remain upright after eating. Avoid foods and drinks that you have noticed trigger burning, and consider raising the upper body while resting at night. Do not start, stop, or share a medicine without checking its suitability in pregnancy; products differ in their ingredients and timing. Tell the pharmacist or maternity clinician about prescribed medicines, supplements, allergies, and any vomiting. They can recommend an appropriate option if lifestyle measures are not enough.

Seek urgent help for chest pressure, breathlessness, faintness, pain spreading to an arm or jaw, vomiting blood, black stools, or severe upper-abdominal pain. Contact your maternity team promptly if vomiting prevents fluids, swallowing becomes difficult, symptoms are persistent despite an agreed plan, or you are unsure whether the pain is heartburn. Do not let pregnancy symptoms delay assessment of a possible emergency.

Ask which non-medicine measures fit your symptoms, which product and dose are suitable for your stage of pregnancy, and whether it can be used with your other medicines. Ask when ongoing symptoms should be reviewed and which warning signs require urgent care.