Heartburn When Lying Down in Pregnancy

Pregnancy-related body changes can relax the valve between the stomach and oesophagus, while the growing uterus can increase pressure around the stomach. Lying down after eating may then allow acidic contents to travel upwards, causing burning, sour fluid, throat irritation or cough. Heartburn is a common pregnancy symptom, but severe or unusual chest pain should not be assumed to be reflux. Gastritis, a hiatus hernia and other upper-abdominal conditions can also produce similar discomfort.

Use smaller meals, eat slowly and avoid lying down soon after eating. Raise your upper body with a wedge or by elevating the bed, rather than relying on extra pillows under your head. Notice whether spicy, fatty or acidic foods worsen your symptoms and limit only the triggers that affect you. Drink enough to avoid dehydration, but avoid a very full stomach at bedtime. Do not start antacids, acid reflux medication, herbal products or supplements without checking with your maternity clinician or pharmacist; pregnancy changes which products and ingredients are appropriate.

Contact your maternity team or clinician if symptoms are persistent, prevent sleep, make eating difficult, or come with repeated vomiting, difficulty swallowing, black stools or upper-abdominal pain. Seek urgent help for severe chest pressure, breathlessness, fainting, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm, back or jaw. These warning signs need prompt assessment regardless of pregnancy.

Ask which non-medicine measures fit your pregnancy, which product and dose your clinician recommends, whether your other medicines interact with it, and when ongoing symptoms need review.