Home remedies for pregnancy heartburn

Pregnancy hormones can loosen the muscle that normally keeps stomach contents down. As the pregnancy progresses, pressure around the stomach may add to this effect. Heartburn is commonly felt as burning behind the breastbone or a sour taste after meals. Gastritis, a peptic ulcer or a hiatus hernia can also cause upper digestive discomfort, so persistent symptoms deserve a proper assessment.

Try smaller meals and allow time to eat without rushing. Keep a simple note of triggers such as fatty meals, chilli, citrus, coffee or chocolate, and adjust the foods that clearly worsen symptoms. Stay upright after eating and avoid bending or lying down immediately afterwards. Ask your maternity clinician whether raising the head of your sleeping surface is appropriate. Avoid unverified herbal products and do not start acid medicines without checking their ingredients and timing with a pharmacist or doctor.

Speak with your maternity team if heartburn is frequent, interferes with food or sleep, or continues despite routine changes. Get urgent help for crushing or persistent chest pain, breathlessness, faintness, vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain or difficulty swallowing. A new pattern of symptoms should be assessed rather than assumed to be ordinary heartburn.

Which heartburn medicine is suitable during pregnancy? Could iron or another prescribed medicine be irritating my stomach? Do my symptoms suggest reflux or another digestive problem? How can I manage symptoms at night?