Heartburn relief in the third trimester

Late pregnancy can bring two changes that promote reflux: hormones may loosen the valve at the top of the stomach, while the growing uterus leaves less room in the abdomen. Burning behind the breastbone, regurgitation, or a sour taste may follow meals or appear when you lie down. These symptoms fit heartburn, although ongoing discomfort may also need assessment for acid reflux, gastritis, or another digestive problem.

Choose smaller meals, eat slowly, and finish eating well before bedtime. Sit upright during and after meals; if you rest, keep your upper body raised. Identify personal triggers such as fatty foods, chilli, citrus, tomato, chocolate, or coffee rather than removing many foods at once. Do not start a remedy because it helped someone else: ask your obstetric clinician or pharmacist about antacids, alginates, or acid-reducing treatment. Read Acid Reflux Medication for general treatment information.

Arrange a review when heartburn is repeated, disrupts sleep, limits eating, or does not settle with simple changes. Get urgent help for severe chest pain, breathing difficulty, fainting, blood in vomit, black stools, severe abdominal pain, or food sticking when you swallow. In the third trimester, urgent assessment is also needed for severe upper abdominal pain with headache, visual disturbance, or sudden swelling.

Ask which remedy is appropriate at your stage of pregnancy, how to separate it from prenatal vitamins or other medicines, and what symptoms should prompt a same-day call. Mention any vomiting, swallowing change, or weight loss.